Users must be at least 13 years old (or the minimum age required in their country) to register independently. Parents or guardians may create parent-managed accounts for children below the minimum age where available, and are responsible for their child's activity under these terms.
This analysis describes what WhatsApp's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision establishes the minimum age framework for WhatsApp use and places parental responsibility for child activity directly within the terms. The availability of parent-managed accounts for children under 13 is noted as jurisdiction-dependent, and parents who create such accounts assume responsibility for compliance with these terms.
Meta offered rival AI chatbots free access to the WhatsApp Business API for one month in the European Economic Area. This follows EU regulatory pressure under the Digital Markets Act. The outcome of ongoing negotiations will determine whether third-party AI chatbot access becomes permanent, paid, or restricted.
View change record →Under this clause, independent account registration requires users to be at least 13 years old, with higher minimums applicable in certain jurisdictions. Parents who create and permit use of parent-managed accounts for children under the minimum age are subject to the terms and responsible for their child's activity on the platform.
Cross-platform context
See how other platforms handle Minimum Age and Parent-Managed Accounts and similar clauses.
Compare across platforms →"You must be at least 13 years old to register for and use our Services on your own (or such greater age required in your country or territory). If you are under this age, your parent or guardian can create a parent-managed account for you if it is available in your country or territory. If you are creating a parent-managed account, please read these Terms with your child and ensure that you both understand them. Children on parent-managed accounts are permitted to manage their own account when they reach 13 (or the minimum age required in their country or territory). If you created a parent-managed account for a user under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country) and allow them to use our Services, you are subject to these Terms and responsible for your child's activity on our Services.Excerpt from WhatsApp's Terms of Service
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The minimum age provision engages COPPA in the United States, which establishes specific parental consent and data handling requirements for platforms that knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
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This provision establishes the minimum age framework for WhatsApp use and places parental responsibility for child activity directly within the terms. The availability of parent-managed accounts for children under 13 is noted as jurisdiction-dependent, and parents who create such accounts assume responsibility for compliance with these terms.
Under this clause, independent account registration requires users to be at least 13 years old, with higher minimums applicable in certain jurisdictions. Parents who create and permit use of parent-managed accounts for children under the minimum age are subject to the terms and responsible for their child's activity on the platform.
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