WhatsApp is rolling out a new way for parents to get their pre-teens onto the app without giving them full rein. The new parent-managed accounts are designed for kids under 13, letting them message and call while giving parents the final say on who they are actually talking to.
The setup process requires having both the parent’s and the child’s phones side by side. Once the accounts are linked, parents can control which groups the child joins and who can contact them. Any message requests from unknown numbers will go directly to the parent for review. To keep things secure, all these settings are locked behind a six-digit Parent PIN on the child’s device, so kids can’t go in and change the privacy levels themselves.
Despite the extra oversight, WhatsApp says the actual conversations remain private. End-to-end encryption is still active, meaning not even WhatsApp can see the messages or hear the calls.
How to Set Up Parent-Managed Accounts
If the feature is available in your region, you can start by downloading the latest version of WhatsApp on your child’s phone. Instead of a standard setup, you’ll select ‘Create a parent-managed account’ under the options menu. You will then verify the child’s phone number and age before scanning a QR code with your own phone to link the two devices.
After verifying that you are an adult, you will create that 6-digit PIN. This is the most important part of the setup. Don’t share this code with your kid, as it’s the only way to access and change their privacy settings. Once the PIN is confirmed, the child can set their name and profile photo and start messaging.
WhatsApp allows your kids to have group chats with friends on both iPhone and Android. This new feature lets you manage things more on your kids’ phone so you know who they are talking to, like on Messenger Kids and other Snapchat parental controls. Controlling contacts lets you know if any creeps or weirdos are trying to message your kids.
This rollout is happening gradually over the next few months, so if you don’t see the option to create a managed account in Canada just yet, keep an eye out for a secondary app update.
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
