WhatsApp May Soon Give Parents More Control—Without Reading Teen Chats

 WhatsApp could soon introduce a long-awaited feature aimed at helping parents keep minors safer online—without crossing the line into constant surveillance.

According to early reports, the Meta-owned messaging platform is developing “secondary accounts” designed specifically for teenagers and minors. These accounts would allow parents or guardians to link their own WhatsApp account and manage certain privacy and safety settings, while still respecting a young user’s personal space.

In simple terms, it’s about guidance, not spying.

What Are Secondary Accounts?

Secondary accounts are reportedly being built for underage users who already rely heavily on WhatsApp—for school groups, tuition classes, family chats, and staying connected with friends. Instead of banning or restricting access altogether, WhatsApp appears to be focusing on creating a safer, age-appropriate experience.

Each secondary account can be linked to a primary account, typically belonging to a parent or guardian, using a dedicated connection link.

What Parents Can—and Can’t—See

Once linked, parents would gain access to a set of privacy-focused controls, including:

Managing who can contact the minor

Limiting interactions with unknown users

Viewing basic activity updates

Crucially, WhatsApp is said to be drawing a clear boundary:

Parents won’t be able to read messages, listen to calls, or see call logs.

This balance is likely aimed at addressing growing concerns around teen safety online, while still preserving the trust and independence young users need.

READ ALSO: whose world-first ban for under-16s on social mediaplatforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube came

Why This Matters Now

With governments worldwide tightening regulations around children’s online safety—and platforms like Meta facing increasing scrutiny—WhatsApp’s move feels both timely and strategic. Teenagers already use the app extensively, often without formal supervision. Rather than pushing them away, WhatsApp seems to be acknowledging reality and adapting responsibly.

Still a Work in Progress

The feature is reportedly still under development, and visibility may vary across regions and Android beta versions. Screenshots shared by trusted tracker WABetaInfo suggest the controls are real, but no official rollout timeline has been confirmed yet.

If launched, this could mark a significant shift in how messaging apps approach teen safety—offering protection without invading privacy.

—By Nirosha Gupta

Meta Pushes Back as Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Triggers Mass Account Purge

 By the end of its first week, Australia’s landmark social media ban had already reshaped the digital lives of hundreds of thousands of teenagers. But as enforcement ramps up, Meta is warning that the law may be creating new risks rather than solving old ones.

Australia’s world-first ban on social media use for under-16s is barely a month old, yet its impact is already striking. Meta revealed that it has blocked more than 544,000 underage accounts across its platforms in just the first week of enforcement — a move the company says shows compliance, but also highlights serious flaws in the policy.

The law, which came into force on December 10, requires major platforms such as Meta, TikTok and YouTube to prevent anyone under 16 from holding an account. Companies that fail to take what the legislation calls “reasonable steps” risk fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (around USD 33 million).

Half a million accounts, gone in days

According to Meta, the removals included 331,000 Instagram accounts, 173,000 Facebook profiles, and about 40,000 accounts on Threads. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company acted swiftly to meet its legal obligations — but cautioned that the sheer scale of removals exposes how difficult enforcement will be in practice.

Meta says it supports protecting young people online, but argues that an outright ban is a blunt instrument. “Blanket restrictions risk pushing teens away from safer, regulated platforms and into less visible parts of the internet,” the company said, where oversight is weaker and harms may be harder to detect.

A call for collaboration, not confrontation

In a direct appeal to Canberra, Meta urged the government to rethink its approach and work more closely with the tech industry. Instead of bans, the company wants incentives for platforms to raise standards around privacy-preserving age verification and age-appropriate online experiences.

One of Meta’s core arguments centres on enforcement. The company renewed its call for app stores — not individual platforms — to take responsibility for verifying users’ ages and securing parental consent before apps are downloaded. Without that, Meta warns, platforms are stuck in a “whack-a-mole” cycle, blocking teens on one service only for them to reappear on another, often with fewer safeguards.

Australia stands firm

The Australian government remains unmoved. Officials insist social media companies already collect extensive user data and should be capable of keeping children off their platforms. “They can and must use that information to comply with Australian law and ensure people under 16 are not on their platforms,” a government spokesperson said.

What about teens themselves?

Meta also points to concerns raised by parents and child-development experts, who fear the ban could isolate teenagers from supportive online communities, particularly those who rely on digital spaces for social connection or mental-health support. The company claims early signals suggest the policy may not be delivering its intended boost to youth safety and wellbeing.

As Australia presses ahead with its tough stance, the global tech industry is watching closely. Whether this bold experiment becomes a blueprint for child safety — or a cautionary tale about unintended consequences — is a question that may only be answered with time.

BY- Nirosha Gupta 

The Indian government has granted social media platform X

The Indian government has granted social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, a short extension to respond to concerns surrounding its AI chatbot, Grok, after the tool was linked to the creation of objectionable content.

On January 6, 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) allowed X an additional 72 hours to submit its formal response, pushing the final deadline to 5 PM on January 7, 2026. The extension was approved after the company informed authorities that key members of its global legal and policy teams were unavailable due to public holidays in the United States.

What the Government Is Demanding

While the full compliance report is still awaited, officials confirmed that X has already acted on immediate takedown directives, removing the specific illegal and objectionable material identified by the government.

However, MeitY has gone beyond content removal and is now seeking a deep-dive assessment of Grok’s internal safeguards. The ministry has instructed X to conduct and submit a comprehensive review covering technical controls, moderation processes, and governance mechanisms to ensure such misuse cannot recur.

Why Grok Came Under Scrutiny

The notice was triggered after reports surfaced alleging that Grok was being exploited to generate sexually explicit and digitally altered (“morphed”) images, with women and children among the primary targets. The issue drew sharp reactions from lawmakers and civil society groups, prompting swift intervention from the government.

MeitY had initially issued a 72-hour ultimatum on January 2, warning the platform to explain how such content slipped through and what corrective steps were being taken.

What’s at Stake for X

If X fails to satisfy the government with its response, the consequences could be significant. Authorities have indicated that the platform risks losing its “safe harbour” protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act. Such a move would strip X of legal immunity for third-party content, potentially exposing it to direct liability for material generated or shared on its platform.

The case is being closely watched as it could set a precedent for how AI-driven tools are regulated in India, particularly when they intersect with issues of child safety, gender-based abuse, and platform accountability.

By Advik Gupta

whose world-first ban for under-16s on social media platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube came

 France plans to ban children under 15 from social media sites and to prohibit mobile phones in high schools from September 2026. The move will underscore rising public angst over the impact of online harms on minors. President Emmanuel Macron has often pointed to social media as one of the factors to blame for violence among young people and has signaled that he wants France to follow Australia, whose world-first ban for under-16s on social media platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube came into force in December.

In a world first, Australia has implemented a social media ban on children under 16.

 "Many studies and reports now confirm the various risks caused by excessive use of digital screens by adolescents," the French draft says. “Children with unfettered online access were exposed to "inappropriate content" and could suffer from cyber-harassment or experience changes to their sleep patterns, the government said.

The draft law has two articles. One would make illegal "the provision by an online platform of an online social media service to a minor under 15." The second calls for a ban of mobile phone use in secondary schools.

Macron has said that the digital protection of minors is a priority for his government, but enforcement and compliance with international law have been issues. A ban on mobile phone use in preschools and middle schools came into force in 2018, but is rarely enforced.

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France will make a fresh attempt to protect children from excessive screen time, proposing a ban on social media access for children under 15 by next September, according to a draft law seen by AFP. The initiative is backed by President Emmanuel Macron, who said earlier this month that Parliament should start debating such a proposal in January. Australia this month imposed a social media ban on under 16s, in a world first.

"Many studies and reports now confirm the various risks caused by excessive use of digital screens by adolescents," the French draft says. Chidren with unfettered online access were exposed to "inappropriate content" and could suffer from cyber-harassment or experience changes to their sleep paterns, the government said.

Read more Subscribers only After French school supervisor stabbing, questions arise over social media ban for under-15s

The draft law has two articles. One would make illegal "the provision by an online platform of an online social media service to a minor under 15." The second calls for a ban of mobile phone use in secondary schools.

Macron has said that the digital protection of minors is a priority for his government, but enforcement and compliance with international law have been issues. An ban on mobile phone use in preschools and middle schools came into force in 2018, but is rarely enforced.

France meanwhile ran foul of European Union rules with a law calling for a "digital legal age" of 15, passed in 2023, that has since been blocked.

The French upper house, the Sénat, this month backed an initiative for the protection of teenagers from excessive screen time and social media access, which includes a requirement for parental authorization for children between 13 and 16 to register with social media sites.

The Sénat's proposal has been submitted to the Assemblée Nationale which would need to approve the text before it can become law.

By Advik Gupta

Centre Puts Social Media Platforms on Notice Over Obscene Content

The Union government has issued a strong warning to social media companies and digital intermediaries, cautioning that continued inaction against obscene and unlawful content could invite serious legal consequences.

In an advisory dated December 29, 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directed online platforms to urgently reassess their content governance practices. The ministry made it clear that legal protection available to intermediaries under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act is conditional and applies only when platforms demonstrate adequate “due diligence” in moderating third-party content.

Compliance Failures Flagged

According to MeitY, a recent assessment revealed that several platforms are failing to respond effectively to content that is obscene, vulgar, or otherwise illegal. The ministry noted that such lapses undermine user safety and violate existing legal obligations.

Obligations Under IT Rules, 2021

The advisory reiterates that the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 require platforms to actively prevent users from creating or circulating content that is:

• Pornographic or sexually explicit

• Pedophilic or exploitative of children

• Harmful to minors in any form

Platforms are expected to take reasonable and proactive measures to ensure such material does not remain accessible.

Mandatory Action Timelines

MeitY has also reminded intermediaries of strict content takedown deadlines:

• Sexual or impersonation-related content must be removed within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.

• Content flagged through court orders or government directions must be disabled within the timelines prescribed under the IT Rules.

For major social media platforms, the government stressed the need to move beyond reactive moderation and deploy automated and technology-driven tools to detect and curb unlawful content at scale.

Legal Risks for Non-Compliance

The advisory leaves little room for ambiguity. Platforms that fail to comply may face:

• Withdrawal of safe-harbour protection, exposing them to direct liability for user-generated content.

• Criminal proceedings under the IT Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and other applicable laws, potentially affecting companies, their executives, and even users.

Government’s Message

Through this advisory, the Centre has signaled a tougher enforcement stance, emphasizing that content moderation is no longer optional or complaint-driven but a core legal responsibility for digital platforms operating in India.

By - Aaradhay Sharma

WhatsApp Working on New Feature to Let Channel Admins Share Invite Links Directly with Contacts on iOS

 WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new feature for iOS that will make it easier for channel admins to grow their audience and improve engagement. The feature will allow admins to share channel invite links directly with their contacts, according to reports.

The new capability is currently in the testing phase and is available to select iPhone users through Apple’s TestFlight beta programme. It is being rolled out with WhatsApp beta version 25.37.10.74 for iOS and is expected to reach more testers in the coming days.

As per reports, WhatsApp iOS beta users can now invite contacts directly from the channel information page. Channel admins will be able to notify up to 64 contacts at a time, streamlining the process of promoting channels. WhatsApp will automatically generate an invitation message that includes a button allowing recipients to preview and follow the channel instantly.

The feature is aimed at helping channel admins expand their reach without relying solely on public links or external sharing methods. It also simplifies onboarding for users by enabling quick access to channels directly from the invitation message.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp continues to roll out multiple updates across the platform. The company has recently expanded advertising in Status updates and is reportedly working on adding new emojis to the reaction tray for faster access. Additionally, WhatsApp is said to be developing a new Peripherals list within the existing Linked Devices menu, further enhancing device management features.

WhatsApp has not yet announced when the channel invite feature will be released to all iOS users.

BY: Nirosha Gupta 

This dramatic policy shift follows repeated public statements

Istagram has introduced a sweeping change to its platform architecture, fundamentally altering the way users and creators approach content discovery. In a move that signals the end of long-standing “engagement hacking” strategies, the Meta-owned social media giant has officially slashed its hashtag limit from 30 per post to a maximum of just five.

This dramatic policy shift follows repeated public statements from Instagram head Adam Mosseri, who has labeled the traditional reliance on hashtags as a “myth.” According to Mosseri, the widespread belief that cluttering a caption with dozens of tags boosts a post’s reach is no longer accurate in the modern social media landscape. Instead, Instagram’s internal data suggests that excessive tagging often functions more as a magnet for spam than a legitimate discovery tool.

The Rise of AI Over Tags The primary reason for this transition lies in the evolution of Instagram’s recommendation algorithm. In the app’s early days, hashtags served as the primary filing system for organizing content. However, today’s platform relies on sophisticated Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze the actual content of a post—including the visual elements, audio cues, and detailed captions—to decide who should see it. This means the algorithm is now capable of “understanding” what a photo r Reel is about without needing the user to provide 30 different labels.

Quality Over Quantity Under the new guidelines, Instagram is urging its community to prioritize strategic precision. The platform specifically warns against using generic, high-traffic tags like #reels, #explore, or #trending. Rather than helping content appear on global explore pages, these broad terms often lead to a post being buried in a sea of unrelated content. The company now encourages “niche-specific” tagging—suggesting that a travel blogger, for instance, should use five highly relevant tags related to their specific location or activity rather than 30 general ones.

This restriction aligns Instagram with its sister platform, Threads, which has already implemented a strict limit of one tag per post to foster genuine community interaction. While the rollout of the five-hashtag cap will be gradual across all global accounts, the message is clear: the era of the “hashtag shotgun approach” is over, replaced by a focus on authenticity and AI-driven relevance.

In a bid to help clamp down on spam on the platform, Instagram has announced new limitations on the use of hashtags. While there is certainly some value in hashtags for the tracking and categorization possibilities they offer, they are also open to abuse.

If you have been confused, frustrated, angered or otherwise responded negatively to an Instagram post which has dozens and dozens of hashtags, the new policy will come as good news. Details were shared about the changes not in a news release or even an Instagram post, but in a post to Threads.

The move is not a surprising one. Instagram has been pushing the idea for some time that hashtags are nowhere near as important as they used to be for content in terms of discoverability. And having morphed into something which is so open to abuse that it renders posts annoying or practically illegible, putting restrictions in place makes a lot of sense.

BY Advik Gupta

  

YouTube Outage Report: A Summary of Recent Disruptions

As of 9:00 a.m. ET, user reports of outages on the platform had dwindled to around 200, a sharp decline from the high of nearly 10,800 earlier, based on data from the monitoring site Downdetector. In the UK, complaints fell to about 70 from over 3,000, and Canada saw a swift return to normal service, according to the site, which aggregates outage data from various user submissions.

Downdetector's records show the problems began approximately at 5:00 PM IST. Reports surged quickly, hitting a maximum around 7:00 PM, with over 3,800 issues in India and more than 10,000 in the US. Users in Canada and the UK also experienced comparable interruptions. Of the affected individuals, 54% cited "server connection" problems, 35% had issues with the website directly, and about 11% could load the site but encountered ongoing "playback error" notifications while trying to watch videos.

The outage hit desktop users hardest, with many unable to access the site at all. Mobile apps worked somewhat for some, though they were notably slow. Tech analysts pointed to the "502 Bad Gateway" error as evidence of a communication failure between the core servers and regional content delivery networks.

As the service faltered, the hashtag #YouTubeDown quickly gained traction on X (formerly Twitter), where users shared jokes, fixes, and questions about the extent of the issue. Frustration was high due to the timing, coinciding with peak hours for news and entertainment consumption.

YouTube has yet to comment on the cause of the outage in response to inquiries from Reuters.

Note that Downdetector's figures may not fully represent the total impacted users, as they rely on voluntary reports from individuals.

By - Aaradhay Sharma

New WhatsApp Features Arrive for Holidays: Voice Notes, AI Art, and Simplified Media Access

 Ahead of the busy holiday season, WhatsApp is rolling out a substantial update focused on keeping users seamlessly connected and enhancing creative expression. The new features span calls, Meta AI tools, and Status/Channel interactions, aiming to improve communication even amidst the festive rush.

A significant upgrade targets calls, specifically when a call is missed. Instead of a traditional voicemail, users can now leave a quick voice or video note with a single tap, which is automatically configured to match the original call type. This new mechanism simplifies reconnecting without the need for a follow-up text or repeated attempts to call.

Voice chats within groups are also receiving functional improvements. Participants can now use in-chat reactions, allowing for swift acknowledgement or expressions like “cheers!” without interrupting the conversation with spoken words. Furthermore, video gatherings will now automatically prioritize and highlight the person who is actively speaking, ensuring better visual clarity during group discussions.

The Meta AI integration has been upgraded to boost creative tools for chats. The image generator now utilizes advanced model capabilities from partners like Midjourney and Flux, enabling users to create more polished, high-quality graphics for holiday cards and Status posts directly within the app. Users can also instantly turn any photograph into a short, animated clip, adding a playful, seasonal touch to their messages.

Finally, the new update streamlines the user experience on desktop and web versions by introducing a consolidated media tab. This centralized view brings all documents, images, videos, and links shared across chats into a single, easily trackable location. Additionally, long URLs are now automatically displayed in a clean, compact format to prevent message clutter. For Status and Channels, the platform added fresh interactive stickers, music lyrics integration, and a feature for Channel owners to post questions to their audience for real-time feedback. (349 words)

BY:- Nirosha Gupta;)