WhatsApp's terms, including the EEA terms, say you must be at least 13 to register on your own. A parent can create a parent-managed account under that age where the feature is available. It is rolling out gradually. On a normal account, anyone can add you to a group until you change that.
Minimum age we could verify: 13. 13 to register on your own, including in the EEA. Some countries can require an older age. Under 13, a parent-managed account is the option the terms describe.
Parent-managed accounts are rolling out gradually. At 13, WhatsApp notifies the parent and those parental controls end.
For a parent-managed account you scan a QR code on the child's phone and set a 6-digit PIN. You have to be 18 or older.
Create a parent-managed account
Both of you together · ages 5–12 · checked 30 Sep 2026
This is the under-13 option, where it has rolled out. Managed accounts can't use Meta AI, Channels, Status or disappearing messages in one-to-one chats.
- On the child's phone: More options, Create a parent-managed account, register the number, enter the birthday.
- Scan the QR code, confirm you are an adult, and set a 6-digit parent PIN.
Leave parent-managed privacy on the defaults
On your phone · ages 5–12 · checked 30 Sep 2026
Only saved contacts can reach the account. Only a parent can add the child to groups, and the child cannot create groups.
- Settings, Privacy, then the parent PIN, to review those switches.
- Messages from unknown contacts sit in a Requests folder: Settings, Parental controls, PIN, Requests.
Change who can add them to groups
On your kid's device · ages 13–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026
On a normal account the default is Everyone. Invite links still work if the teen accepts them. Choices are Everyone, My contacts, or My contacts except some people.
- Settings, Privacy, Groups.
- Choose My contacts, unless you have a reason to leave it on Everyone.
- Tell them an invite link can still add them if they tap it.
Tighten last seen, photo, and unknown callers
On your kid's device · ages 13–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026
By default anyone can see the profile photo, read receipts, and online status. Contacts can see last seen, About, and Status. Unknown callers can call.
- Settings, Privacy. Set last seen, profile photo, and About to My contacts or Nobody.
- Turn on silence unknown callers.
- Run Privacy Checkup from the same Privacy screen.
Stop live location unless you both want it
On your kid's device · ages 13–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026
Live location is end-to-end encrypted and time-limited. You can stop every active share from privacy settings, and you can set the phone's location permission to Don't allow.
- Settings, Privacy, Live location, Stop sharing.
- Or set the phone's location permission for WhatsApp to Don't allow.
How we check lists what was left off WhatsApp.
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