WhatsApp is introducing parent-managed accounts for children under 13, featuring restricted messaging and calling. The accounts include strict default settings and parental controls, allowing guardians to manage contacts, group memberships, and privacy.
This move responds to global concerns about social media's impact on youth and follows incidents of hacking on messaging platforms. Several countries are considering stricter regulations, similar to Australia's social media ban for teenagers.
The main topics covered are WhatsApp's new child accounts, parental controls, and the global regulatory context concerning children's online safety and mental health.
Meta âPlatforms-owned WhatsApp said on âWednesday it would allow parents to create âaccounts for pre-teens, restricted to messaging and calling, amid rising global concerns about the impact of social media and âchat â apps on â children.
A number of countries around the world are now seeking to follow Australia, which last year became the first country to adopt a social media ban for teenagers because of mental health worries.
Messaging âapps have also triggered â concerns following hacking âincidents where users were persuaded âto divulge âsecurity verification and pin codes giving â malicious actors access to personal accounts and group âchats.
WhatsApp said the idea of parent-managed accounts came after feedback from parents, who wanted a messaging service tailored for under-13s.
"These accounts come with strict new default settings, parental controls and options for parents to âguide their pre-teens' (under 13s) first messaging experiences," the messaging app said in a blog âpost.
"Once set âup, these â accounts are controlled by the parent or guardian who will be able to decide who can âcontact 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," it said.
A number of countries around the world are now seeking to follow Australia, which last year became the first country to adopt a social media ban for teenagers because of mental health worries.
Messaging âapps have also triggered â concerns following hacking âincidents where users were persuaded âto divulge âsecurity verification and pin codes giving â malicious actors access to personal accounts and group âchats.
WhatsApp said the idea of parent-managed accounts came after feedback from parents, who wanted a messaging service tailored for under-13s.
"These accounts come with strict new default settings, parental controls and options for parents to âguide their pre-teens' (under 13s) first messaging experiences," the messaging app said in a blog âpost.
"Once set âup, these â accounts are controlled by the parent or guardian who will be able to decide who can âcontact 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," it said.
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