WhatsApp Launches Parent-Managed Accounts for Pre-Teens and New Scam Protections
WhatsApp has introduced parent-managed accounts designed for children under 13, offering a safer messaging experience with restricted features and parental controls. Simultaneously, the platform is rolling out new AI-powered anti-scam protections to safeguard users from fraudulent device-linking requests.
Parent-Managed Accounts: A Safer Space for Young Users
The new parent-managed accounts allow parents or guardians to control their pre-teen’s WhatsApp experience. These accounts limit functionality to messaging and calling, excluding features like Channels, Status updates, location sharing, and integration with Meta AI . This focused approach aims to provide a secure communication environment for younger users.
Account Setup and Parental Controls
Setting up a parent-managed account requires a linked connection between the parent’s and child’s devices. The process involves verifying the child’s phone number, confirming their age, and scanning a QR code. Once linked, parents can determine who can contact their child and which groups they can join .
A 6-digit PIN, accessible only to the parent or guardian, protects privacy settings and activity alerts. This ensures parents have exclusive control over tailoring their family’s experience and adjusting settings as needed .
Privacy and Security Features
All conversations within parent-managed accounts benefit from WhatsApp’s complete-to-end encryption, ensuring privacy. Parents cannot view their child’s messages or listen to their calls. By default, managed accounts can only message saved contacts, and parental approval is required before a child can join groups or accept invitations from unknown contacts .
Parents receive notifications about important activity, such as message requests from unknown contacts, new contact additions, and new members joining groups their child is in. They can customize these notifications to suit their preferences.
Transition to Standard Accounts
When a child reaches the age of 13, they can transition their account to a standard WhatsApp profile, gaining full access to all features without parental controls.
New Protections Against Device-Linking Scams
In addition to the new parental controls, WhatsApp is implementing AI-powered scam protections. These tools will alert users if a device-linking request appears suspicious, potentially indicating a fraudulent attempt to hijack their account . This feature is part of a broader rollout of anti-scam tools across Facebook and Messenger.
Meta’s Broader Approach to Teen Safety
Meta has been actively enhancing parental control features across its platforms. In September 2025, dedicated accounts for teens between 13 and 15 were introduced for Facebook and Messenger, following a similar rollout for Instagram users a year prior.