WhatsApp will let under-13s use its messaging service.
The new feature allows parents to set up accounts for their pre-teens, as long as they continue to manage the account.
WhatsApp suggested the change was in recognition that it is “already an important part of family life”. But it comes amid increasing concern of the danger that phones and social apps could pose to young people.
The “parent-managed” accounts “have been built in response to feedback from parents, who told us they want to be able to introduce their pre-teens to WhatsAppand need a WhatsApp experience tailored for under 13s”, WhatsApp said.
The accounts must be “created and actively managed by parents and guardians”, and the children’s accounts will stay linked to the adults ones. They are also restricted to only calling and messaging and parents can choose who can contact their children, which groups they can join and how they set up their privacy settings.
It is not clear how many children are already using WhatsApp. Though it is against the service’s rules, users only have to agree to its terms and conditions to start messaging on the platform.
