WhatsApp is set to release an update aimed at providing reassurance for parents by offering enhanced controls. This forthcoming feature will empower adults to customize settings on devices, preventing pre-teens from accessing specific functionalities or participating in group chats without approval.
Moreover, parents or guardians will have the ability to regulate who can reach the account, thus averting unsolicited messages from strangers. They can also oversee message requests from unfamiliar contacts and manage the account’s privacy configurations.
According to WhatsApp, the platform is recognized for its simplicity, privacy, and reliability as a preferred means of family communication. The company stated that, in collaboration with families and experts, they are introducing new parent-managed accounts tailored for pre-teens, restricting their WhatsApp usage to messaging and calling.
To utilize this feature, parents need to link their family member’s phone with their device. Once established, the parent or guardian assumes control of these accounts. Exclusive access to privacy settings is granted only to parents, empowering them to customize their family’s WhatsApp experience.
All personal conversations are secured with end-to-end encryption, ensuring privacy and confidentiality, even WhatsApp cannot access them. The update will be gradually rolled out in the following months, with WhatsApp looking forward to receiving user feedback to enhance safety and privacy for family connections.