Messaging giant WhatsApp is preparing to introduce a new feature aimed at younger users. The Meta-owned platform has announced plans to allow parents to create supervised accounts for pre-teens, giving children under 13 limited access to messaging and calling while placing control firmly in the hands of guardians.
The move comes as governments and regulators around the world increase scrutiny over how social media and messaging platforms affect children’s safety and mental health.
A Messaging Experience Designed for Younger Users
According to WhatsApp, the new system will allow parents or guardians to set up accounts for their children with built-in safety restrictions. These accounts will come with strict default privacy settings and parental management tools designed to guide children through their early experience with online communication.
Once activated, the parent will control key aspects of the account. They will be able to decide who can contact the child, approve which groups the account can join, and review message requests from unknown users. Guardians will also have the ability to manage privacy settings and adjust controls as needed.
The company says the feature was developed after feedback from families who wanted a safer messaging option for younger children who may already be using smartphones but are not ready for unrestricted social media platforms.
Growing Global Debate Around Kids and Social Media
The decision arrives during a period of intense global discussion about the impact of digital platforms on young people. Governments in several countries are exploring stricter rules to limit how minors use social media services.
Australia recently made headlines by introducing legislation that restricts teenagers from accessing certain social media platforms due to concerns about mental health, online bullying, and excessive screen time.
Other governments are now considering similar measures as pressure grows on tech companies to improve safety protections for children.
Security Risks Driving New Safety Features
Beyond mental health concerns, messaging platforms have also faced criticism due to security threats targeting younger users.
Recent cases of account hacking and online scams have raised alarm bells among parents and regulators. In many incidents, attackers trick users into sharing verification codes or security PIN numbers, allowing them to take over personal accounts and access private group conversations.
By placing parents in control of younger users’ accounts, WhatsApp hopes the new system will reduce the risk of children becoming victims of such attacks.
Meta Expanding Safety Tools Across Its Platforms
The introduction of parent-managed accounts reflects a broader effort by Meta to strengthen safety features across its digital ecosystem. The company has been gradually adding tools designed to give families greater control over how children interact online.
For WhatsApp, which remains one of the world’s most widely used messaging apps with billions of users globally, the new feature could also help address long-standing concerns about age restrictions on the platform.
Final Words
As debates around online safety continue worldwide, WhatsApp’s plan to introduce supervised accounts for pre-teens signals a shift toward more family-focused digital tools. By allowing parents to manage who their children communicate with and how they use the app, the platform is attempting to balance accessibility with stronger safety protections.
Whether the feature will satisfy regulators and parents alike remains to be seen, but it highlights the growing pressure on tech companies to rethink how younger audiences engage with online platforms.
