WhatsApp has introduced a set of new parental control tools that allow parents to have greater oversight of how teens interact on this messaging platform and to manage settings related to content accessible in Meta AI chats.
The new features allow parents to restrict how teens use the "Channels" section and specify who can view their child's "Status" updates.
Parents can also decide who is allowed to add teens to groups or view their profile picture. In addition, there is the option to enable notifications that alert parents when a teen joins or leaves a group. These notifications can also be sent when a group's member count reaches 30, 100, or 250.
All of these settings are protected by a PIN code set by parents. As a result, if a teen wants to change any of the parental control settings, parental approval will be required. Of course, parents can fully disable these controls if they wish.
Meta AI content control
Alongside these features, WhatsApp has given parents the ability to manage Meta AI content settings. Parents can now choose the default settings for ages 13 and up or enable the stricter "Limited Content" mode.
The "Limited Content" mode disables some features that rely on special processing. These features include anonymous chat and message summarization capabilities.
WhatsApp emphasized that adding new parental control tools does not change the security mechanism of messages and calls. According to the company, WhatsApp messages and calls remain fully end-to-end encrypted and third parties cannot access them.
Increased pressure on Meta to protect children
The introduction of these features comes as Meta faces several legal cases over the impact of its social network products on children. Regulators have also pressured the company, particularly Instagram, for delays in rolling out certain features designed to protect teens.
In August, Meta agreed to pay an $18 billion fine to settle a lawsuit brought by 29 U.S. states.
This year Meta has implemented a series of measures to increase child protection across its services. The company launched content control tools inspired by movie rating systems, developed parental control capabilities for children's interactions with Meta AI, offered pre-teen accounts on WhatsApp, and alerts parents when children search for self-harm–related content on Instagram.