WhatsApp adds new parental tools to enhance child safety

WhatsApp has introduced new safety features aimed at protecting underage users and providing children with an age-appropriate experience.

Under the new tools, parents will have access to several options for managing their children’s accounts.

For example, parents will receive notifications when their children join or leave a WhatsApp group. They will also be able to control certain data preferences on their children’s accounts.

In a blog post, the company said parents will not be given access to read messages sent or received by their children.

Despite these features, children’s chats and calls will remain private and protected by end-to-end encryption.

WhatsApp said the tools will allow parents to manage automated settings. Parents will also be able to use a PIN to prevent children from changing the settings they have established.

Parents will also be able to decide whether their children can use Channels and manage settings related to Meta AI features available to children.

WhatsApp said the changes come amid growing pressure on technology companies from governments to take stronger measures to protect children online.

The new tools will be rolled out to users worldwide in the coming weeks.