Technology

WhatsApp to roll out parental control features soon: Here is what is coming

January 16, 2026

Trending:Nobel Peace PrizeIran unrestIndia OpenGrok deepfakesCarney-Xi meetingTaskaree: The Smuggler’s Web reviewWhatsApp to roll out parental control features soon: Here is what is comingFP Tech Desk • January 16, 2026, 11:25:18 ISTWhatsapp Facebook TwitterAfter Facebook and Instagram, WhatsApp is finally next in line to impose parental control feature. A new report suggests that the messaging platform is developing secondary accounts, profiles designed specifically for minors and teenagers. AdvertisementSubscribe Join Us+ Follow us On GoogleChoose Firstpost on GoogleWhatsApp working on Parental Control featuresIt looks like WhatsApp is finally taking a serious step toward making its platform safer for younger users. The Meta-owned messaging application is reportedly working on a new set of parental controls aimed at protecting minors and managing their exposure to strangers. The feature, currently in development, is designed to let parents or guardians link their child’s WhatsApp account to their own, giving them a range of privacy and security controls, without crossing the line into surveillance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADHow will WhatsApp pull off Parental controlAccording to WABetaInfo report, the company is developing what it calls secondary accounts, profiles designed specifically for minors and teenagers.

App working on Parental Control features

Credit: Whats

Key Highlights

These accounts will be connected to a parent or guardian’s primary account, creating a two-tier system within WhatsApp for the first time. Here’s how it reportedly works.
The parent account sends a dedicated link to the child’s account, connecting the two.
Once linked, parents gain access to a dashboard of privacy settings that can be managed remotely. More from Tech Apple likely to start producing AI chips in 2026, eyes in-house data centres Amid trade tussle with China, US reaches deal with Taiwan to cut chip tariffsThese controls include who can see the child’s profile picture, “last seen” status, About info, and whether read receipts are enabled. By default, the secondary account will come with strict boundaries.
Teenagers will only be able to text or call contacts saved in their phonebook, and they’ll only receive messages or calls from those same contacts.
Even group invites are limited, only people already saved as contacts can add the minor to a group chat. In addition, the parent account is said to receive activity updates about the child’s account.

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WhatsApp to roll out parental control features soon: Here is what is coming

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

WhatsApp to roll out parental control features soon: Here is what is coming

Key Highlights

Sources

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