WhatsApp has introduced new parental controls designed to give parents more ways to guide how teenagers use the messaging platform. The optional tools allow families to manage privacy, groups, Channels, Status and Meta AI settings.
More Control Over Privacy
Parents can choose who can see their teen’s profile photo and who can add them to groups. If teenagers want to relax certain restrictions, parental approval through a PIN is required.
Group Activity Alerts
Parents can receive notifications when their teen joins or leaves a group. They can also be informed when a group the teen belongs to grows significantly, helping parents stay aware of major changes in their child’s online interactions.
Controls for Channels and Status
The new tools allow parents to manage which WhatsApp Channels teens can access. They can also control whose Status updates teens can see and who can view their teen’s Status.
More Options for Meta AI
Parents can choose between WhatsApp’s standard 13+ Meta AI experience and a stricter Limited Content option, which restricts the topics teens can discuss with the AI.
Private Messages Remain Private
WhatsApp says these parental controls do not give parents access to their teen’s personal messages or calls, which remain protected by end-to-end encryption. The controls are optional and are being rolled out gradually.