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💬 Social apps and messaging

WhatsApp (parent-managed accounts)

By Meta. Visit WhatsApp (parent-managed accounts)

Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.

Meta's messaging and calling app, with end-to-end encrypted chats, groups, Channels, Status updates and Meta AI. In 2026 WhatsApp began rolling out parental controls: parent-managed accounts for children under 13, where a parent PIN locks settings and the parent reviews message requests from unknown contacts and group invites, and optional teen controls for 13 to 17 year olds that lock privacy settings, limit Channels, Status and Meta AI, and notify the parent of things like a new contact. Rollout is gradual by country.

Our take: A sensible first messaging app once parental controls are available in your country; check the rollout before relying on them.

The facts
Ages it suits13+ on their own; under 13 through a parent-managed account where offered
What its terms say about ageYou must be at least 13 (or older where your country requires) to register and use WhatsApp on your own. Below that age, a parent or guardian can create a parent-managed account if it is offered in your country; the parent is responsible for the child's use, and the child can manage the account at 13. (terms)
PriceFree. Free (Oct 2026).
Works oniPhone and iPad, Android, Web, Windows, Mac
AccountA parent's account
AdsYes
In-app purchasesYes
The AI in itMeta AI answers questions, summarizes unread messages and works in chats; WhatsApp says Private Processing keeps Meta from reading the messages it handles.

What's good

  • End-to-end encrypted chats
  • Parent-managed accounts for under-13s
  • Teen controls locked by a parent PIN
  • Parent reviews requests from unknown contacts

Watch for

  • Anyone with the number can try to message
  • Parental controls still rolling out by country
  • Meta AI built in
  • Ads in Status and Channels

Data and privacy

WhatsApp says messages are end-to-end encrypted and not kept on its servers after delivery, and it does not allow third-party banner ads, but people may see other ads in Status and Channels. It shares information with Meta companies, including to improve ads and products across Meta. Read the privacy policy.

Does it work?

No independent study of the new parental controls was found. Australia's eSafety list (Nov 2025) treats WhatsApp as not age-restricted.

In the Big Index

  • The maker in the who's who: Meta

Alternatives to WhatsApp (parent-managed accounts)

  • Desk researchFreeNo ads

    Apple Messages and FaceTime (Communication Safety)

    Apple · ages any age with a parent-made child account; teens 13-17

    Worth turning on for any child with an iPhone or iPad; pair it with contact limits for younger kids.

  • Desk researchFree

    BeReal

    BeReal SAS · ages 13+

    A lower-pressure social app for teens 13+ with real-life friends; younger kids should wait.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extras

    Discord (Family Center, teen-by-default)

    Discord Inc. · ages 13+

    Workable for teens 13+ who mainly chat with real-life friends, with Family Center on; too open for younger children.

  • Desk researchFree

    Instagram (Teen Accounts)

    Meta · ages 13+

    For teens 13+ only with supervision set up in Family Center; parents should not rely on Teen Accounts alone.

  • Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

    Kinzoo Messenger

    Kinzoo · ages young kids to tweens, on a parent-made account

    A good first messenger for under-13s whose friends will also join; check the in-app store settings.

  • Desk researchFree

    Lemon8

    TikTok USDS Joint Venture (US) · ages 13+

    No reason for kids under 13; for teens it carries the same data terms as TikTok without TikTok's parent tools.

Every product in social apps and messaging →

Where these facts come from

Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.