“Can I have WhatsApp too? Everyone in my class has it.”
Sooner or later, most parents hear that question. Your child wants to keep in touch with classmates, share photos with friends and video call their grandparents. But at what age is WhatsApp suitable? And what if your child is still too young for a regular WhatsApp account?
Since 2026 there has been a new development: WhatsApp is introducing parent-managed accounts for children. Even so, that is not the ideal solution for every family. There are also other chat apps designed specifically for children.
In this article we compare WhatsApp for kids with alternatives such as BUBLE, JusTalk Kids, Messenger Kids, Signal and Threema. We look at parental controls, contact management, screen time, privacy and suitability by age.
At what age can a child use WhatsApp?
In Europe, the minimum age for a regular WhatsApp account is 13. In practice, many children use WhatsApp earlier, for example because their classmates have a group chat.
Yet age is not the only thing that matters. Can your child cope with peer pressure? Do they understand that photos and messages can be forwarded? And do they know what to do if someone sends them an unpleasant message?
For some children, the move to WhatsApp around the start of secondary school is a logical moment. Others need their own way of communicating with family and friends sooner.
A WhatsApp alternative for kids can grow with your child: your child learns to send messages independently, while you as a parent keep more control over contacts and use — and you hand that control back step by step as your child gets older.
Read our guide too: What age for WhatsApp? A parent's guide by age
Read our guide too: Setting up a WhatsApp kids account: step by step, and what you see as a parent afterwards (2026)
WhatsApp for kids: what is the new children’s account?
In 2026, WhatsApp announced parent-managed accounts for children. These let parents set up an account for their child and manage certain features. Availability varies by region.
The idea is simple: children can use WhatsApp to stay in touch, but parents get more ways to decide who that happens with.
What can parents set?
Manage contacts: you decide who your child may be in contact with.
Manage groups: you can set restrictions on joining groups.
Unknown contacts: requests from strangers can be handled separately and require approval.
Parental supervision: certain activities, such as adding or blocking contacts, can trigger notifications.
Protected settings: parental settings are secured with a PIN.
Some features you may come across in regular WhatsApp are also missing, such as Status, Channels and Meta AI.
Can you read your child’s WhatsApp messages?
No. Messages remain end-to-end encrypted. Even with the parent-managed children’s account, parents cannot simply read the content of conversations.
That protects your child’s privacy, but it also means that as a parent you have less insight into what happens in conversations.
What are the limitations of the WhatsApp children’s account?
A children’s account offers more parental supervision, but it remains part of WhatsApp. It is not a fully separate environment designed from the ground up for young children.
Consider, for example, the following points:
You cannot read the content of conversations.
A daily screen-time limit has to be set through the device’s settings.
Your child is still using the WhatsApp platform, with a phone number as the account address.
Availability of the children’s account may vary by country.
For parents who are mainly looking for a way to introduce their child to chatting safely, there are other options too.
What is a good WhatsApp alternative for kids?
Not every chat app is suitable for young users. Some apps offer encrypted messaging but have no parental controls. Others are built specifically for children and give parents more control over contacts and use.
Below we compare the main options.
1. WhatsApp with a parent-managed children’s account
The new children’s account is meant for children who want to use WhatsApp, while parents manage certain settings.
Pros
Your child can communicate within the familiar WhatsApp platform.
Parents can manage contacts and certain group activity.
Some activities trigger notifications.
Certain features of regular WhatsApp are missing.
Cons
Parents cannot read the messages.
There is no built-in daily screen-time setting.
It is not a fully separate chat environment for young children.
Suitable for: families who want to use WhatsApp with extra parental supervision, once the children’s account is available.
2. BUBLE: a chat app made for children
BUBLE was developed as a WhatsApp alternative for kids that grows with them: from their very first messages to the app in which they keep talking with family and friends later on.
The starting point is that children can keep in touch independently with family, friends and other trusted people, without open profiles, unknown contacts, adverts or algorithmic feeds.
What does BUBLE offer?
Parents approve contacts. Your child cannot add strangers on their own.
Messages, photos and videos. Children can stay in touch in different ways.
Voice messages and video calls. Also for children who cannot yet type easily.
Daily screen time. Parents decide how long the app can be used each day.
Staying reachable. Trusted contacts, such as parents or other designated people, can stay reachable even after the daily limit has been reached.
Reading along with parental supervision. Parents can choose to read chats along. The child can see that this feature is switched on.
Suitable for young children. For children of roughly 6 to 8, there are recorded voice messages and ready-made sentences, among other things.
No adverts or algorithmic feeds. The app is meant for staying in touch, not for keeping children scrolling endlessly through content.
BUBLE is available for iPhone and Android and is free to use.
Can parents read their child’s messages in BUBLE?
Yes, if parents switch this feature on. That is an important difference from WhatsApp, where conversations stay private from parents even with a children’s account.
BUBLE makes parental supervision visible to the child. So there is no secret reading along. Parents can adjust the feature as their child gets older and can handle more independence.
Suitable for: parents who want to introduce their child to chatting at a young age, with approved contacts, adjustable screen time and options for parental supervision.
3. Messenger Kids
Messenger Kids is a chat app from Meta designed specifically for children. Parents can manage and approve contacts.
The app is meant to let children send messages and make video calls in a controlled way.
The main point for families in Europe is availability: Messenger Kids is not generally available in Europe.
Suitable for: families in countries where Messenger Kids is officially available.
4. JusTalk Kids
JusTalk Kids is a chat and calling app aimed at children. It offers messaging, calls and parental controls.
Parents can help decide who their child is in contact with. As with any children’s app, it is wise to check the current privacy terms, age limits and available features beforehand.
Suitable for: parents looking for a separate communication app for children who want to assess its features and terms for themselves.
5. Signal and Threema
Signal and Threema are well-known alternatives to WhatsApp that put a lot of emphasis on privacy and secure communication.
However, they were not designed specifically as children’s apps. Features such as approval of every new contact, a dedicated child profile and parental controls are not part of what they offer in the same way as in an app built specifically for children.
Suitable for: older users and families who are mainly looking for privacy-focused communication and can agree their own rules on contact management and screen time.
WhatsApp versus alternatives for kids: comparison
Feature | WhatsApp children’s account | BUBLE | Messenger Kids | JusTalk Kids | Signal / Threema |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Designed specifically for children | Children’s account | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Parents approve contacts | Yes, according to available features | Yes | Yes | Check available features | No comparable built-in child management |
Parents can read chats | No | Yes, optional and visible | Limited parental access; check current features | Check current features | No |
Daily screen time in the app | Not built in | Yes | Check current features | Check current features | No |
Voice messages and calls | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Adverts and algorithmic feeds | Depends on platform features; children’s account limits features | No adverts or algorithmic feeds | Check current features | Check current features | No algorithmic social feed |
Available in Europe | Rollout depends on region | Yes | Not generally available | Check App Store availability | Yes |
Features and availability may change. Check each provider’s current information before creating an account.
Which chat app suits your child’s age?
The right choice depends not only on age, but also on what your child can already do independently and how much guidance you want to give.
6 to 8 years: sending first messages
At this age, typing, reading and understanding online communication are still very much developing.
A simple chat app with only approved contacts, voice messages and set reply sentences can help children get to know digital contact safely.
Look out above all for:
Known contacts only.
Simple to use.
No public profiles or open chats.
Clear agreements about when the app is used.
8 to 10 years: more independence
Children increasingly want to send messages themselves, share photos and video call friends or family.
Parental contact management and a daily screen-time limit can help set clear boundaries. Also talk about what your child should do if they get unpleasant messages or unexpected requests.
10 to 12 years: the class group chat is coming
At this stage, many children feel a growing need to be in contact with classmates. Sometimes there is pressure to use the same app as the rest of the class.
A parent-managed WhatsApp account can be an option once it is available. A separate children’s app may be more suitable if you want more control over contacts, screen time or parental supervision.
From secondary school (around age 12): growing towards more privacy
As children get older, their need for independence changes too.
Talk about what your child may come across online, how they can deal with peer pressure and when they should ask for help. Make agreements that grow with your child’s responsibility.
Read our guide too: Phone Rules for Kids: Family Agreements by Age
What should you look for when choosing a safe chat app?
Before you choose a WhatsApp alternative for your child, it is worth answering a few concrete questions.
1. Who can contact my child?
Can your child add anyone themselves, or do you need to approve new contacts?
2. What can I see as a parent?
Do you only get notifications about activity, or can you also view messages? And does your child know which form of supervision is active?
3. Can I set screen time?
A daily limit can help stop chatting from coming at the expense of sleep, play, homework or other activities.
4. What happens when the limit is reached?
Do you want the app to be blocked completely, or should your child still be able to keep in touch with parents and other trusted people?
5. How does the app handle privacy?
Check what data is collected, how messages are secured, whether there are adverts and how you can delete an account.
6. Does the app suit my child’s development?
A child who still finds typing difficult has different needs from a twelve-year-old who wants to communicate independently with classmates.
Frequently asked questions about WhatsApp alternatives for kids
What is the best WhatsApp alternative for kids?
That depends on what matters to you. If you want your child to use the familiar WhatsApp with extra parental supervision, a parent-managed children’s account may suit you. If you are looking for a separate chat app with approved contacts, screen time and optional parental supervision, BUBLE is one option. Always compare the features that matter to your family.
Is there a WhatsApp for kids under 13?
WhatsApp is introducing parent-managed accounts for children under 13. Availability may vary by country, so check WhatsApp’s settings and official information for the current situation in your country.
Can I read my child’s WhatsApp messages?
No. Even with the parent-managed children’s account, conversations remain end-to-end encrypted and parents cannot simply read their content.
Which chat app has parental controls?
There are several options. WhatsApp offers certain parent-managed settings, while apps such as BUBLE and Messenger Kids are designed with parental control features. The exact options differ by provider.
Is there a free chat app for young children?
BUBLE is free, for iPhone and Android, with no subscription and no adverts. For other apps, check which features are free and whether there are paid extras.
Is Signal suitable for children?
Signal is a privacy-focused messaging app, but not an app designed specifically for children. Parents looking for contact approval, screen time and a separate children’s environment should therefore look at other options too.
When is my child ready for WhatsApp?
There is no fixed age that suits every child. Look at your child’s independence, their understanding of online privacy, how they handle peer pressure and whether they can ask for help when something goes wrong.
Conclusion: choose a chat app that grows with your child
Children want to keep in touch with their friends and family. That does not automatically mean they need a regular WhatsApp account at a young age.
A parent-managed WhatsApp account can offer extra control within the familiar platform. Other chat apps focus instead on a separate environment for children, with features such as contact approval and screen time.
BUBLE was developed for families who want to help children learn to communicate step by step, with approved contacts, visible parental guidance and room to become more independent as they grow older.
What matters most is not only which app you choose, but also that you talk with your child about online contact, privacy, boundaries and what they can do if something unpleasant happens.
That way, the first chat app becomes not just a way to send messages, but also a chance to learn responsible digital contact.
Sources and currency
Checked in October 2026:
TechCrunch, 11 March 2026 — WhatsApp introduces parent-managed accounts for children under 13.
ID.nl and Digiwijzer (in Dutch) — how it works and the rollout in the Netherlands.
CNN, 12 April 2024 — minimum age for WhatsApp in Europe lowered to 13.
France 24 — countries where Messenger Kids is available (none in Europe).
App Store: JusTalk Kids — features according to the provider.
Credits
Photo by BM Amaro: https://www.pexels.com/nl-nl/foto/telefoon-smartphone-technologie-techniek-20716657/
Photo by Vanessa Loring: https://www.pexels.com/nl-nl/foto/telefoon-smartphone-browsen-doorbladeren-7869453/
Last updated: October 2026.