WhatsApp adds new parental controls for teen accounts
WhatsApp is rolling out new tools allowing parents to restrict teen channel usage, control interactions, and manage Meta AI settings.
WhatsApp has introduced new parental controls to give guardians oversight of teen activity within the app. These features enable parents to limit how teens use channels, who they can see Status updates from, and who can see their own Status updates.
Furthermore, parents can manage who adds teens to groups or views their profile pictures. The app will notify parents when a teen joins a new group, leaves one, or when group sizes reach specified thresholds. All these settings are protected by a parent-set PIN code.
Parents will also have the ability to manage content settings for Meta AI conversations. They can select a default 13+ setting or a stricter 'Limited Content' option that disables privacy-based features such as incognito chat.
Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, has faced legal challenges regarding alleged harmful effects of its social media products on children. The company recently paid an $18 billion fine in a settlement with 29 U.S. states.