WhatsApp Introduces Parental Controls for Teen Accounts
WhatsApp is rolling out new parental controls aimed at helping guardians monitor and manage their teens' interactions on the platform. These features allow parents to set limits on who can see a teen's status updates, join groups with them, or view their profile picture. Parents also receive notifications when a teen joins or leaves a group or if the group size reaches specific thresholds. The controls are secured by a PIN and can be turned off entirely. Additionally, guardians can adjust content settings for Meta AI chats to restrict access to certain features like incognito mode. These updates come as part of broader efforts by Meta to address concerns around teen safety on its platforms following legal scrutiny over the impact of social media on children's well-being. The company has faced lawsuits and regulatory pressure, including a recent $18 billion settlement with 29 U.S. states. In response, it has introduced several child protection features across its apps this year. WhatsApp emphasized that these controls do not compromise end-to-end encryption for messages or calls. However, the new tools reflect Meta's ongoing strategy to align more closely with regulatory expectations and parental concerns.
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Topics: Apps parental controls teen safety WhatsApp