Messaging platform WhatsApp has announced the rollout of new controls for parents in South Africa, allowing stricter oversight of what their children can access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group said this is “just the start” of new features aimed at creating a safer platform for families and teenagers in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the new controls, parents will be able to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Notably, the controls are in place to safeguard children without intruding on their privacy. The tools are also entirely optional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“All of these controls are being designed to support open conversations about how to use WhatsApp between parents and teens, while keeping everyone\u2019s personal messages private,” WhatsApp said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even with controls turned on, personal messages and calls stay private and protected by end-to-end encryption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“No one outside of the chat, not even WhatsApp, can see or hear them,” the group said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Parents choose how much support their teen needs, and can adjust or switch the controls off at any time.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The update comes as social platforms are under fire in various countries, with some governments imposing strict age limits on access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australia has banned children under 16 from accessing social media since December 2025, unless platforms can successfully verify users\u2019 ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other countries have followed suit, with the platforms themselves also being required to undergo various verification tests to ensure that age limits are not violated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it has been proposed that a similar social media ban could be implemented in South Africa, the government has officially nixed the notion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n