WhatsApp may be developing a new feature aimed at giving parents better control over how minors use the platform. According to a feature tracker, the Meta-owned messaging service is working on secondary accounts with limited features and added privacy safeguards to protect underage users from unwanted interactions.
The feature, currently under development, is focused on users under the age of 18. Its availability on the latest Android beta version may differ by region. The goal appears to be creating a safer WhatsApp experience for teenagers and minors without fully restricting their ability to communicate.
These new secondary accounts are designed specifically for minors and teenagers. They can be linked to a primary account owned by a parent or guardian using a dedicated connection link. Once connected, parents will have access to a set of privacy and activity-related controls.
By default, WhatsApp secondary accounts are expected to allow messaging and calling only with saved contacts. Minors will also be able to receive messages and calls only from contacts saved on their device. Parents can manage who can view the minor’s profile picture, last seen status and About information. They can also control whether read receipts are enabled.
Group interaction settings are also restricted. With default controls enabled, only saved contacts will be able to add the minor to group chats. This reduces exposure to unknown users and unwanted group invitations.
In addition, the parent or guardian linked to the account is said to receive regular activity updates related to the secondary account. While the exact details of these updates are not fully clear, reports suggest that parents will not have access to the chat list, call logs, messages or call conversations.
If implemented as described, the feature could help WhatsApp strike a balance between safety and privacy. Parents may be able to monitor general activity and manage privacy settings, while minors retain control over their personal conversations. The move highlights WhatsApp’s focus on improving safety features for younger users as its platform continues to be widely used by students, families and teenagers.
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