At a Glance: What This New Feature Means

• Children under 13 can now use WhatsApp legally when a parent or guardian creates a special supervised account for them.
• Parents stay in charge of contacts, groups, privacy settings and approvals for unknown people who try to get in touch.
• The child’s experience is limited to messaging and calls – no Status, Channels, Meta AI or advertising.
• Suspicious or unknown contacts are filtered into a PIN‑locked folder, with images blurred by default until a parent reviews them.

What Has WhatsApp Announced?

WhatsApp has introduced a new type of account called a parent‑managed account, designed only for children under 13 who are just starting to use messaging on their own phones.

These accounts are created and supervised by a parent or guardian aged 18+. The child’s profile stays linked to the adult’s WhatsApp until at least their 13th birthday, and parents can choose to extend that link for up to 12 additional months if they feel their child still needs support.

The feature is rolling out globally during 2026 after consultation with families, safety organisations and regulators, reflecting growing pressure on tech platforms to offer safer experiences for younger users rather than simply banning them outright.

Who Can Use a Parent‑Managed Account?

• Age: The child must be under 13. Standard WhatsApp remains officially 13+ in the UK and most other countries.
• Parent or guardian: The account has to be set up by an adult (18+) using their own WhatsApp account.
• Own phone and number: The child still has their own phone number and app, but the safety settings are controlled from the linked parent account.
• One parent‑manager per account: At launch, one adult is the primary manager, though both parents can of course agree rules and review the device together.

Key Features of WhatsApp Parent‑Managed Accounts

To your child, a parent‑managed account looks like “normal WhatsApp”: they can open the app, send messages, and call friends and family. Behind the scenes, however, there are strict limits and safety controls.

• Messaging and calls only: Under‑13 accounts are restricted to private one‑to‑one and group messaging plus voice or video calls. Features like Status, Channels, and some sharing options are switched off.
• No Meta AI or ads: Children cannot access Meta AI tools in chats and are not shown ads or promoted content within WhatsApp. [web:64][web:65]
• End‑to‑end encryption preserved: Chats and calls remain end‑to‑end encrypted, meaning WhatsApp cannot read their messages even on a managed account. [web:63][web:65]
• No disappearing messages in 1:1 chats: Disappearing messages are disabled in private conversations so risky content cannot quietly vanish from the chat history. [web:65][web:70]
• Stricter privacy defaults: By default, only saved contacts can see things like the child’s profile photo or last seen information, and only approved people can message or add them to groups. [web:73][web:75]
• Unknown contacts heavily restricted: Messages and group invites from people the child does not know go into a PIN‑locked message‑request folder that only the parent can open. [web:63][web:65][web:70]
• Blurred images from strangers: Any images sent by unknown numbers are blurred automatically until a parent reviews and approves them. [web:63][web:65][web:70]
• Call controls for spam and harassment: Children can silence calls from unknown numbers entirely so they are not disturbed by random callers. [web:63][web:75]

What Parents Can See and Control

The main idea behind parent‑managed accounts is simple: your child can message, but you remain in charge of who can contact them and what groups they join. [web:63][web:68]

• Contact supervision: Parents decide who the child is allowed to message and which groups they can be part of. Unknown people are pushed into the locked requests area rather than appearing directly in the child’s chat list. [web:63][web:65][web:75]
• Group safety: Before a group invite is approved, parents can see details such as the group name, how many people are in it and who the admins are. [web:63][web:70]
• Activity alerts: By default, the parent’s phone receives notifications when the child adds, blocks or reports someone. You can choose extra alerts for changes like joining a new group, changing profile picture, deleting a chat or attempts to use disappearing messages. [web:65][web:70]
• PIN‑protected controls: All of these settings, plus the message‑requests folder, are protected by a six‑digit parent PIN. Your child cannot open the requests folder or alter safety settings without this code. [web:63][web:65][web:75]
• Reviewing unknown contacts: When someone new tries to message your child, you can review the request, see basic information about them and then decide whether to allow, block or report the contact. [web:63][web:65]

In practice, this means that risky contact attempts are paused by default. They sit in your PIN‑locked folder until you have time to look at them and decide what happens next. [web:63][web:65]

What Children Can and Cannot Do

For under‑13s, WhatsApp now acts more like a closed family messaging tool and less like a social network. [web:64][web:75]

• They can:
  • Send and receive text, voice notes and images with contacts that a parent has approved. [web:63][web:65]
  • Make voice and video calls to family members, school friends and trusted adults in approved groups. [web:67][web:73]
  • Stay in school, club or family group chats that fit the family’s rules. [web:63]
• They cannot:
  • Use Status or Channels to post or browse public content. [web:64][web:75]
  • Use Meta AI tools in chats or experiment with generative features meant for adults. [web:64][web:65]
  • Switch on disappearing messages in private chats or freely accept group invites from anyone. [web:65][web:70]
• Context cards for unknown contacts: If a message from an unknown number gets as far as the child’s device, WhatsApp shows a small “context card” explaining who the person appears to be, which country they are messaging from and whether they share groups with the child. [web:63][web:65]

Step‑by‑Step: How to Set Up a Parent‑Managed WhatsApp Account

The setup process is designed so that both devices are present and the adult remains clearly in charge from the first screen to the last. [web:66][web:75]

1. Update WhatsApp on both phones: Make sure your own phone and your child’s phone are running the latest version of WhatsApp that supports parent‑managed accounts. [web:66][web:75]
2. Install WhatsApp on your child’s phone: Download WhatsApp from the App Store or Google Play and open it on your child’s device. [web:66][web:72]
3. Choose the parent‑managed option: Begin the usual sign‑up flow, then select Create a parent‑managed account when prompted. [web:72][web:75]
4. Enter your child’s phone number and date of birth: WhatsApp uses the date of birth to confirm that the user is under 13 and therefore eligible for a supervised account. [web:66][web:72]
5. Link with the parent’s account via QR code: On your own phone, open WhatsApp when asked and scan the QR code displayed on your child’s device to link the accounts together. Both phones need to be present for this step. [web:63][web:66]
6. Confirm you are an adult: WhatsApp may ask you to verify that you are over 18, which can include taking a selfie or following other on‑screen instructions. [web:63][web:67]
7. Create a six‑digit parent PIN: Choose a PIN that only you know. This number will be required every time you open the message‑request folder or change the child’s privacy and safety settings. [web:63][web:65][web:75]
8. Choose which alerts you want: Decide whether you only want basic notifications (for example, when your child adds or blocks a contact) or whether you also want alerts for things like profile changes, group joins and chat deletions. [web:65][web:70]
9. Review privacy and group settings: Before handing the phone back, check who can add your child to groups, who can see their profile photo and whether calls from unknown numbers are silenced. [web:73][web:75]

Once everything is configured, your child can start using WhatsApp normally with the contacts you agreed together, while new or suspicious contact attempts will be filtered and kept behind your PIN. [web:63][web:65]

What Happens When Your Child Turns 13?

Parent‑managed accounts are intended as a stepping stone toward full independence, not a permanent arrangement. [web:63][web:69]

When your child reaches 13, WhatsApp will notify both the child and the parent that the account can transition to a regular account with standard controls. Parents will also be offered the option to delay this transition by up to 12 months if they feel their child is not quite ready for full freedom yet. [web:63][web:69]

This creates a more gradual on‑ramp to digital independence rather than everything changing overnight on a birthday, which many families have been asking for. [web:64][web:70]

UK Perspective: Parental Consent and the Children’s Code

In the UK, companies are not allowed to process the personal data of children under 13 without parental consent, which is why these new accounts must be created and managed by an adult. [web:69][web:71]

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has said it expects Meta to show clearly how the under‑13 experience on WhatsApp meets the requirements of the Age‑appropriate Design Code (Children’s Code) and wider data‑protection laws, and it plans to keep working with the company as the feature rolls out. [web:69][web:71]

This comes at a time when several European countries, including the UK, Denmark, Germany and Spain, are debating or introducing age‑based rules and potential bans for younger children on some social‑media services. [web:64][web:67]

Safety Benefits for Families

For many households, parent‑managed accounts offer a middle ground between banning WhatsApp completely and letting children use it with no supervision at all. [web:63][web:75]

• Controlled first step into messaging: Children can practise online communication in a more contained environment before moving on to a standard account or other apps. [web:63][web:75]
• Reduced exposure to strangers: Unknown contacts and invite links are held in the parent’s PIN‑locked requests folder, making it much harder for random people to reach your child directly. [web:63][web:65][web:70]
• Fewer high‑risk features: By removing Status, Channels, Meta AI and disappearing messages, the system strips out tools that often make bullying, pressure and inappropriate sharing harder for adults to spot. [web:64][web:65][web:75]
• Clearer chat history: With disappearing messages turned off in one‑to‑one chats, there is a more reliable record of conversations if you ever need to investigate a problem together. [web:65][web:70]

Put together, these changes aim to make WhatsApp feel more like a closed family messaging service for under‑13s rather than a full social platform. [web:63][web:75]

Important Limitations Parents Should Understand

Even with these improvements, no single feature makes online life completely safe. Parent‑managed accounts are a tool, not a replacement for ongoing conversations and supervision. [web:71]

• End‑to‑end encryption still applies: WhatsApp cannot read your child’s messages and there is no automated scanning of content for abuse; you only see what’s on your child’s phone or in your own notifications. [web:63][web:65]
• Children can try to bypass controls: A determined child could in theory set up a second account on another device or SIM card that isn’t supervised, so it’s vital to combine technical controls with clear family rules. [web:71]
• Notifications are easy to miss: Activity alerts are useful but can get lost among other app notifications, especially on busy phones. It’s worth scheduling regular check‑ins rather than relying on alerts alone. [web:65][web:71]
• Gradual rollout: The feature is being introduced in phases, so some UK users may not see the option straight away. Keeping the app fully updated helps ensure you get it as soon as it’s available. [web:67][web:72]

Practical Tips for UK Parents Using Parent‑Managed Accounts

To get the most from WhatsApp’s new tools, combine them with clear expectations and support at home. [web:71]

• Set expectations on day one: Explain that WhatsApp is a shared responsibility and that you will occasionally review who is messaging them and which groups they are in.
• Keep the PIN truly private: Do not share the parent PIN with your child or their friends. If you think they might know it, change it straight away. [web:63][web:75]
• Review message requests together: Make a habit of checking the PIN‑locked requests folder weekly, using it as a chance to talk about any unusual or suspicious contact attempts. [web:63][web:65]
• Use device‑level tools as well: Combine WhatsApp controls with settings like Apple Screen Time or Google’s Family Link to manage screen time, app installs and in‑app purchases across the whole device. [web:71]
• Know where to get help: If you’re worried about grooming, threats or other serious concerns, you can block and report contacts in WhatsApp and contact organisations such as the NSPCC or CEOP in the UK, as well as local police in emergencies. [web:71]

WhatsApp vs Other Apps for a Child’s First Phone

Parents often ask whether WhatsApp, iMessage, Signal or other apps are safest for a first phone. Parent‑managed accounts significantly strengthen WhatsApp’s position for under‑13s, but it’s still important to understand the differences. [web:63][web:71]

FAQs: Parent‑Managed WhatsApp Accounts

Can my under‑13 child now use WhatsApp legally?

Yes. With a parent‑managed account, WhatsApp explicitly allows children under 13 to use the app as long as a parent or guardian sets up and supervises the account. [web:63][web:72]

Can I manage the account from more than one parent phone?

The feature is built around one primary parent‑manager, but families can still agree house rules and check the child’s device together. Future updates may offer more flexible options as Meta receives feedback from families. [web:63][web:70]

Can WhatsApp see my child’s messages on a managed account?

No. Messages and calls remain end‑to‑end encrypted, meaning WhatsApp cannot read the content of your child’s chats, even when the account is supervised. [web:63][web:65]

What if my child gets a message from a stranger?

Messages from unknown contacts go into a separate, PIN‑locked folder. You can review them, see some basic context about the sender and then choose to allow, block or report the contact. Images from unknown numbers are blurred until you approve them. [web:63][web:65][web:70]

What if I change my mind and want to delete the account?

You can delete the managed account at any time from within the app. As with any WhatsApp account, this will remove message history from WhatsApp’s servers but may not remove screenshots or photos saved on devices, so talk to your child about what they keep. [web:73]

Is WhatsApp Now Safe for Children Under 13?

WhatsApp’s new parent‑managed accounts are a major step forward for families who previously felt forced to choose between ignoring the age limit or banning the app completely. [web:64][web:67]

Used properly, they provide a safer, more supervised way for under‑13s to message, but they do not replace the need for open communication, clear boundaries and regular digital‑safety check‑ins at home. [web:71]

For UK parents thinking about their child’s first phone or first messaging app, this update makes WhatsApp a much more realistic option – especially when combined with device‑level controls and the advice offered by trusted child‑safety organisations. [web:71]