WhatsApp is bringing its dedicated parental controls section to the iPhone, making the feature easier for parents to find and set up. Here are the details.
Last March, WhatsApp launched parent-managed accounts, which allow a parent or guardian in select regions to decide who can contact the managed account and which groups the account can join.
Parent-managed accounts restrict access to features such as Channels and Status, while giving parents visibility into certain account activity and changes, including new contacts, blocked users, and profile updates.
As WhatsApp explained at the time, “parental controls and settings are gated by a parent PIN on the managed device,” adding that “only parents can access and change privacy settings, ensuring they are empowered to tailor their family’s experience.”
Last month, WABetaInfo noted that WhatsApp had added a dedicated “Parental controls” section to the Android settings screen, making it easier to discover and set up the feature. Now, the site notes, the same section is rolling out on iOS.
When a parent opens the “Parental controls” section on their iPhone, WhatsApp presents a new setup screen. The parent needs to use the child’s phone and keep their own phone nearby. In this section, WhatsApp asks the parent to scan the QR code or accept the invite on their phone to link their accounts. After accepting the invite, they need to switch to the child’s phone to finish the configuration. WhatsApp presents the flow in a simple interface that does not require any technical knowledge.
Parent-managed accounts are available to users who are under the minimum age required to use WhatsApp in their country or region. Depending on local legal requirements, Meta says Apple may share the child’s age range directly, rather than having the parent provide it during setup.
To learn more about WhatsApp’s parent-managed accounts, follow this link. WABetaInfo’s full report is available here.
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Marcus Mendes is a Brazilian tech podcaster and journalist who has been closely following Apple since the mid-2000s.
He began covering Apple news in Brazilian media in 2012 and later broadened his focus to the wider tech industry, hosting a daily podcast for seven years.
