WhatsApp is reportedly developing new parental supervision features aimed at improving safety for teenage users on the platform. According to recent reports, the Meta-owned messaging service is testing a system that would allow parents or guardians to link their account with a child’s WhatsApp profile and manage selected privacy controls.
The development is still in progress and has not been officially announced. However, early details suggest WhatsApp is moving closer to offering built-in parental control tools, similar to safety features already available on other Meta platforms.
What has surfaced so far
As per information shared by tipster platform WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is working on “secondary accounts” designed specifically for minors and teenagers. These accounts are expected to be linked to a parent or guardian’s primary WhatsApp account.
Once linked, parents would be able to manage a limited set of privacy and safety options remotely. The feature is reportedly designed to offer guidance and protection without giving parents access to private conversations.
Expected price in India
Not applicable. WhatsApp’s parental supervision tools are expected to be offered free of cost as part of the app’s standard features.
Design and build details
The feature is said to be integrated directly into WhatsApp’s existing settings interface. Parents may receive a dedicated dashboard showing available supervision controls once a child account is linked.
Key features (based on current reports)
Privacy controls
Parents may be able to manage who can see the child’s profile photo, “Last Seen” status, About information, and read receipts.
Contact restrictions
Teen accounts are expected to communicate only with saved contacts. Messages and calls from unknown numbers may be blocked by default.
Group invitations
Only contacts already saved in the child’s phonebook may be allowed to add them to group chats.
Activity updates
Parents could receive general activity summaries. Reports suggest message content, chat lists, call logs, and recordings will remain private and inaccessible.
Software approach
The supervision system is being designed with a focus on privacy. While parents can manage settings, they are not expected to view personal messages or listen to calls, maintaining end-to-end encryption standards.
India rollout timeline
There is no official launch date yet. The feature has not appeared for all beta testers and visibility reportedly varies by region. Based on its current development stage, a wider rollout could happen in the coming months, starting with select markets.
What this means for Indian users
With more teenagers using WhatsApp for school groups, coaching classes, and family communication, built-in parental supervision tools could help address safety concerns without forcing users to switch platforms. For parents, it may offer more control over privacy settings, while teenagers retain personal message privacy.
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WhatsApp has not confirmed these features publicly, and details may change before an official release. If introduced, the parental supervision system would mark a significant step in how the messaging platform approaches teen safety, bringing it closer in line with broader digital safety standards already seen across Meta’s ecosystem.