WhatsApp appears to be developing a new feature aimed at giving parents more control over how minors use the app. According to feature tracker WABetaInfo, the company is planning secondary accounts for users under 18, along with tools that let parents manage privacy settings and monitor activity without accessing private messages or call details.
These “secondary accounts” are designed for minors and teenagers, allowing them to stay connected with friends, family, and school groups while maintaining a safer environment. Parents can link their main account to the secondary account through a dedicated connection, which will provide them with several privacy controls.
By default, secondary accounts are limited to text messages and calls from saved contacts only. Parents can control who can see the minor’s profile picture, last seen status, About info, and whether read receipts are enabled. Only saved contacts can add the minor to group chats. Parents also receive activity updates from the secondary account, though the exact details they can view remain unclear.
This feature aims to strike a balance between protecting minors and preserving their privacy. While parents can oversee account activity and manage interactions, they will not be able to access chats, call logs, or individual conversations, ensuring underage users retain control over their personal communication.