Carlos
- Updated: March 11, 2026
- 2 min read
WhatsApp Introduces Parent‑Linked Accounts for Pre‑Teens – Safer Messaging for Kids
WhatsApp Introduces Parent‑Linked Accounts for Pre‑Teens – Safer Messaging for Kids
WhatsApp has launched a new parent‑linked account feature that lets parents create and manage messaging accounts for children under 13. The rollout, announced on March 11, 2026, aims to give families a safer way for kids to stay connected while giving parents full control over contacts, privacy settings, and usage limits.
Key aspects of the feature include:
- Account Creation: Parents set up a supervised account through the main WhatsApp app, linking it to their own number. The child receives a separate profile with a distinct name and avatar.
- Contact Management: Only contacts approved by the parent can chat with the child. Parents can add, remove, or block contacts at any time.
- Privacy Controls: Location sharing, profile picture visibility, and status updates are disabled by default and can be toggled by the parent.
- Screen‑Time Limits: Parents can define daily usage caps and receive usage reports.
- Safety Features: Automated detection of suspicious messages and easy reporting to WhatsApp’s safety team.
The feature will be rolled out globally over the next few months, starting with select markets. WhatsApp emphasizes that the data of child accounts will be stored separately and will not be used for ad targeting.
For more details on how to set up a parent‑linked account, visit our Parental Controls guide on ubos.tech.
Read the original announcement on TechCrunch.