WhatsApp Lowers Age Barrier: Pre-Teens Get 'Parent-Managed' Accounts

Meta-owned WhatsApp is breaking new ground, allowing kids under 13 to join—via a strict "parent-managed" account model with guardian oversight. Ditching its long-standing 13+ age limit (higher in some regions), the app now lets parents set up profiles for pre-teens, restricting use to messaging and calling only. "With input from families and experts," WhatsApp announced in a blog post. Key safeguards: Parents control contacts and privacy via a PIN-gated device, while end-to-end encryption protects message content. Rollout is phased—safety first in the family chat era!