WhatsApp puts parents in control
The messaging app has just officially launched parent-managed accounts. It is your direct answer to a question that millions of families ask: how to get the little ones into the digital world without losing control?
It is intended for children under 13 years of age (or the minimum legal age in each country). The idea is simple: an adult sets up and manages everything.
This is how the new system works
The experience for the minor is much more restricted. You will only be able to make calls and send messages. No states, histories or other functions that could open the door to risks.
The real power is held by the parent or guardian. They decide:
- Who can write to the child.
- Which contact requests from strangers are approved.
- What groups you can join.
“All personal conversations remain private and are protected with end-to-end encryption, which means that no one, not even WhatsApp, can see or hear them,” the company clarifies.
But be careful, that privacy is between contacts. Account settings are managed only by the adult with a six-digit PIN.
To activate it you need both phones, the child’s and the adult’s, side by side. The process begins by downloading WhatsApp to the child’s device and selecting “Create a managed account.”
Then, the number and date of birth of the minor are recorded. The adult scans a QR code with their own mobile phone, verifies that they are of legal age and creates the parental PIN. Ready.
The child can personalize their profile with a name and photo, but the rules are set by mom or dad.
The function is already gradually reaching everyone. Of course, you need to have the latest version of the app installed.
WhatsApp is clear: it is already a central tool for many families. With this they seek to give the youngest a safer gateway to the online world.




