WhatsApp Launches New Parental Controls for Teen Accounts
WhatsApp has officially launched optional parental controls for teens, letting parents manage privacy, groups, Channels, Status and Meta AI settings while keeping personal chats and calls end-to-end...
WhatsApp has officially introduced parental controls for teen accounts, giving parents and guardians new ways to guide how teenagers use the messaging platform. The controls are being gradually rolled out on Android and iOS.
Parents can manage settings such as who can see a teen’s profile photo, who can add them to groups, and how they use Channels and Status. They can also receive notifications when a teen joins or leaves a group or when a group grows significantly.
WhatsApp has also added controls for Meta AI, allowing parents to choose between the standard 13+ experience and a stricter Limited Content option. Settings are protected by a parent-created PIN.
Importantly, the controls do not give parents access to private conversations. Messages and calls remain protected by end-to-end encryption, meaning parents cannot read or listen to them.
The feature is optional, requires the parent and teen to link their accounts, and is currently rolling out gradually. WhatsApp says controls are automatically removed when the teen turns 18.
