WhatsApp is introducing parent-managed accounts designed to give families more control over children’s messaging settings.
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WhatsApp is preparing to introduce a new type of account for children that will allow parents to control who their kids can message and how the app is used. The change could affect millions of families in Spain, where the messaging platform is one of the most widely used ways for young people to communicate with friends and classmates.
The new system will link a child’s WhatsApp account to a parent or guardian, giving adults the ability to manage privacy settings and contact permissions. The move comes as governments across Europe increase pressure on technology companies to improve protections for minors online.
New system links children’s accounts to parents
Under the new model, children will no longer create completely independent WhatsApp accounts. Instead, the account will be linked to a parent or guardian, who will be able to manage certain permissions and safety settings.
Parents will have control over who can message their child, whether unknown users can send contact requests and whether the child can join group conversations. The settings will be protected by a parental PIN so that children cannot change the restrictions without permission.
Despite the added supervision tools, WhatsApp says its end-to-end encryption will remain unchanged. This means the content of messages will continue to be protected and cannot be read by the company or external parties.
Why messaging platforms are introducing child accounts
The new accounts are part of a wider effort by technology companies to address growing concerns about children’s safety online. Across Europe, policymakers have been discussing stricter digital protections for minors, including stronger age-verification systems and limits on how younger users interact with social media platforms.
Instead of banning younger users entirely, many companies are developing restricted versions of their services designed to create a safer environment while still allowing children to communicate with friends and family. Meta, the company behind WhatsApp, has already introduced similar safety features on Instagram aimed at teenage users.
What the change could mean for families in Spain
WhatsApp remains one of the most widely used messaging platforms in Spain, often used by school groups, families and friends to stay in contact on a daily basis. For many parents, the introduction of supervised accounts may offer greater reassurance that children can use the app while reducing the risk of unwanted contact from strangers. The rollout of the new system is expected to happen gradually, meaning users in Spain may begin seeing the option appear in future updates to the app.
Questions parents may have about the new accounts
Will parents be able to read their child’s messages?
No. WhatsApp messages will continue to be protected by end-to-end encryption, meaning message content will not be visible to parents through the system.
Can strangers contact a child using the new accounts?
Parents will be able to restrict who can message the child and approve new contacts.
When will the feature appear in Spain?
Meta has said the rollout will happen gradually worldwide, so availability may vary depending on updates to the app.
What could change next
The introduction of parent-managed accounts may signal broader changes to how messaging platforms operate for younger users. As governments continue to debate stronger digital protections for minors, technology companies are likely to face increasing pressure to introduce additional safety features and clearer age controls in the coming years.
Official information about Meta’s safety policies for young users can be found on the company’s safety centre website.
