Short answer
Not for the sins themselves. Once a child reaches puberty, each person carries their own deeds, and no one bears another's burden. But parents will be asked whether they taught, guided and protected their children. Neglecting that duty is the parents' own sin, while a child who strays despite good upbringing does not count against them.
A child is not accountable before puberty, and after it is accountable for his own deeds. Parents are obliged to teach their children the basics of faith, prayer and manners and to keep them from haram; failing in this is a sin on the parents.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Two truths sit side by side in the Quran. Allah says that no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And He says: protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones. The Prophet ﷺ said every one of you is a shepherd and responsible for his flock, the man for his family and the woman for her husband's home and children. The four schools agree on what follows.
Before puberty: a child's sins are not recorded against the child. But if a parent caused the wrong, for example by giving a child haram food, letting him wear what is forbidden, or teaching him to lie, the sin is on the parent. When al-Hasan, as a small boy, put a date of charity in his mouth, the Prophet ﷺ made him spit it out.
After puberty: the young person answers for their own prayers, fasts and choices. A parent who taught, advised, set an example and made dua has done their part, even if the child goes astray. The son of Nuh drowned though his father was a prophet.
Where parents are at fault:
- Never teaching the basics of belief and prayer.
- Approving or encouraging sin at home.
- Spending on the child from haram earnings.
- Abandoning a child to screens and friends without guidance.
The good news runs the other way too: a righteous child's dua and good deeds continue to benefit parents after death. Keep making the dua for children, and see who raises the child and when a teenager stops praying.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-An'aam 6:164
قُلْ أَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ أَبْغِى رَبًّۭا وَهُوَ رَبُّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ ۚ وَلَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ إِلَّا عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌۭ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿١٦٤﴾
Say, "Is it other than Allah I should desire as a lord while He is the Lord of all things? And every soul earns not [blame] except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ."
Each adult carries their own sins.
Quran, Surah At-Tahrim 66:6
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًۭا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَٰٓئِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌۭ شِدَادٌۭ لَّا يَعْصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ ﴿٦﴾
O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.
Parents must work to protect their families.
Sahih al-Bukhari 893
Sahih... كلكم راع وكلكم مسئول عن رعيته ...
"Every one of you is a shepherd, and every one of you is responsible for his flock."
Parents will be asked about how they raised their children.
Sahih Muslim 1631
Sahih... أو ولد صالح يدعو له ...
"...or a righteous child who prays for him."
A well-raised child benefits the parent after death.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Kitab al-Salah, opening section. The guardian must order a child to pray at seven and teach what is needed.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hazr wal-Ibaha. It is forbidden to give a child something haram to eat, drink or wear, and the sin is on the one who gives it.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.