WhatsApp Introduces Kid Accounts with Parental Controls

0:00On March 11th, WhatsApp is changing its rules to let kids under 13 use the app, but only with parental permission. Parents will create the accounts and link them to their own, adding safety controls that stay in place until the child turns 13 or up to a year, longer if needed. The young accounts will stick to basic calls and messages, skipping things like Meta's AI chatbot, status updates, or channels. Parents get to pick who can reach their kid, approve group joins, and tweak privacy, though they cannot reprivate chats since everything stays, and to end encrypted. No disappearing messages in one-on-one talks, and parents get alerts if a group gets bigger or those features change. This move came from parent requests for a safer way to connect kids on the platform. Meta says parents are best at judging readiness, and the company already blocks solo under 13 accounts until a grown-up links up. The UK's data washdog expects full compliance with pay protection rules as this rolls out in coming months.

1:00Meanwhile, it highlights ongoing debates over apps and young users, especially after Reddit's recent multi-million pound fine for week-age checks. What's Apps Update aims to balance access with stronger safeguards right from the start?