WhatsApp has announced that preteens can now use its messaging platform via new parent-managed accounts that come with certain restrictions. Here are the details.
Parent-managed WhatsApp accounts for preteens rolling out now
If you’re the parent or guardian of a preteen, WhatsApp says you can now set up an account for that child. Preteen accounts come with special restrictions and controls for parents.
To begin, parents will need the phone they have bought for their family member and their own device, side by side to link their accounts. Once set up, these accounts are controlled by the parent or guardian who will be able to decide who can contact the account and which groups they can join. In addition, parents can review message requests from unknown contacts and manage the account’s privacy settings.
The new parental controls and settings are gated by a parent PIN on the managed device. Only parents can access and change privacy settings, ensuring they are empowered to tailor their family’s experience.
WhatsApp stresses that despite parents having additional controls over who their child is messaging, the contents of conversations are still private. It says, “All personal conversations remain private and protected with end-to-end encryption, meaning no one—not even WhatsApp—can see or hear them.”
The following video provides a nice overview for parents of how preteen accounts work:
You can find more details on parent-managed accounts here on WhatsApp’s support site.
Other recent WhatsApp changes include Group Message History, voice and video calls on the web, and an anti-spyware mode.
What do you think of WhatsApp’s new preteen account option? Let us know in the comments.
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