WhatsApp rolls out parent-managed accounts for pre-teens with contact and group controls
Security Tool/Service
Summary
Hide ▲
Show ▼
WhatsApp is rolling out parent-managed accounts for pre-teens, adding controls that let parents decide who can contact a child and which groups they can join. The managed accounts are limited to messaging and calling and keep chats end-to-end encrypted. It matters because the feature gives families more oversight over contact and group exposure without letting parents read the child’s messages.
Related Happenings
Signal and WhatsApp anti-phishing account-hardening guidance
Defensive Guidance
First: 21.03.2026 15:17
Last: 21.03.2026 15:17
Sources 1
About this happening:
A **UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)** alert on **March 31** warned that **Russia-based actors** are increasing **targeted attacks** against **high-risk individuals** usin...
Signal and WhatsApp anti-phishing account-hardening guidance
Defensive GuidanceAbout this happening: A **UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)** alert on **March 31** warned that **Russia-based actors** are increasing **targeted attacks** against **high-risk individuals** usin...
FBI public warning on Signal and WhatsApp phishing
Public Sector Action
First: 20.03.2026 22:45
Last: 20.03.2026 22:45
Sources 1
About this happening:
The **FBI** issued a **public service announcement** warning that **Signal** and **WhatsApp** users are being targeted in **phishing campaigns**. The warning says the activity has...
FBI public warning on Signal and WhatsApp phishing
Public Sector ActionAbout this happening: The **FBI** issued a **public service announcement** warning that **Signal** and **WhatsApp** users are being targeted in **phishing campaigns**. The warning says the activity has...
SORVEPOTEL WhatsApp malware campaign spreads across Brazil
Campaign
First: 12.03.2026 19:31
Last: 12.03.2026 19:31
Sources 1
About this happening:
A **WhatsApp** malware campaign in **Brazil** is spreading **SORVEPOTEL**, a **self-propagating Windows malware** that uses **phishing ZIP attachments** and a desktop-only lure to...
SORVEPOTEL WhatsApp malware campaign spreads across Brazil
CampaignAbout this happening: A **WhatsApp** malware campaign in **Brazil** is spreading **SORVEPOTEL**, a **self-propagating Windows malware** that uses **phishing ZIP attachments** and a desktop-only lure to...
Meta rolls out anti-scam tools for WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger
Security Tool/Service
First: 12.03.2026 15:17
Last: 12.03.2026 15:17
Sources 1
About this happening:
Meta introduced **new anti-scam protections** across **WhatsApp**, **Facebook**, and **Messenger**, adding warnings and detection features to reduce scam abuse against users. The...
Meta rolls out anti-scam tools for WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger
Security Tool/ServiceAbout this happening: Meta introduced **new anti-scam protections** across **WhatsApp**, **Facebook**, and **Messenger**, adding warnings and detection features to reduce scam abuse against users. The...
Meta rolls out anti-scam protections and AI scam detection across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger
Security Tool/Service
First: 11.03.2026 15:29
Last: 11.03.2026 15:29
Sources 1
About this happening:
Meta is rolling out **anti-scam protections** across **WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger**, using warnings and AI detection to block scams before users engage. The updates target...
Meta rolls out anti-scam protections and AI scam detection across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger
Security Tool/ServiceAbout this happening: Meta is rolling out **anti-scam protections** across **WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger**, using warnings and AI detection to block scams before users engage. The updates target...
Timeline
-
11.03.2026 22:06 2 articles · 2mo ago
WhatsApp rolls out parent-managed accounts for pre-teens
Initial DisclosureWhatsApp begins rolling out parent-managed accounts for pre-teens, giving parents and guardians control over who can contact the child and which groups the child can join. Managed accounts are limited to messaging and calling, exclude Meta AI, Channels, Status, and location sharing, and keep personal conversations end-to-end encrypted so parents cannot read chats or listen to calls. Setup requires both devices, verification of the child's phone number and age, a QR code link between the accounts, and a 6-digit PIN for changing privacy settings and activity alerts; the child can later move to a standard WhatsApp profile at age 13.
Show sources
- WhatsApp introduces parent-managed accounts for pre-teens — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 11.03.2026 22:06
- WhatsApp introduces parent-managed accounts for pre-teens — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 11.03.2026 22:06