WhatsApp adds parental controls: limits groups, status, channels, Meta AI

WhatsApp is introducing mandatory parental supervision features that allow adults to restrict children's access to groups, status updates, channels, and Meta AI, while keeping messages and calls end-to-end encrypted. The move marks a policy shift toward proactive child-safety controls on a platform historically resistant to content moderation. It signals growing regulatory and societal pressure on messaging apps to balance privacy with minor protection.