WhatsApp to Permit Under-13 Users with Parental Consent
WhatsApp, a messaging platform operated by Meta, has announced plans to allow the registration of users under the age of 13, provided they receive parental consent. This update is set to be rolled out in the coming months.
In this new initiative, parents will be responsible for signing their children up for WhatsApp and managing their accounts using parental controls. The linked accounts must stay associated with the parent until the child reaches 13 years of age, at which point parents may choose to maintain the link for an additional year.
Access for under-13 users will be limited to messaging and voice calls only; they will not be allowed to interact with Meta AI—a chatbot functioning across Meta’s platforms—or use statuses or channels. Parents will control who can contact their children, join group chats, and manage privacy settings. However, they will not have access to message content, which will remain end-to-end encrypted.
Disappearing messages will be disabled for one-on-one chats on the child’s account. Additionally, parents will receive notifications if a WhatsApp group increases in size or if disappearing messages are turned off.
Sky News inquired about how WhatsApp plans to enforce age restrictions for young users and whether any new age verification methods will be introduced. A company representative stated that these accounts will be managed by parents, who are deemed best equipped to determine when their child is ready for the platform. If WhatsApp becomes aware of a user under 13, it will block the account and require parental linkage for continued use.
Meta has not disclosed how many under-13s are currently using WhatsApp but indicated that many parents have requested that their children be allowed to engage on the platform in a secure manner.
A spokesperson from the Information Commissioner’s Office expressed that they expect Meta to demonstrate compliance with the UK’s Children’s Code and relevant data protection obligations as they prepare for the launch of these parent-managed accounts.
The minimum age requirement for a WhatsApp account is consistent with global standards, as UK regulations prohibit processing the data of users under 13 without parental consent.
In a related context, last month the Information Commissioner’s Office levied a fine of over £14 million against Reddit for not implementing adequate age verification measures to prevent children from using its platform. Reddit is currently appealing this decision.
Source: Original Source
