Apple previews new child safety features for iPhone, iPad, Mac

• Photo courtesy of Apple

Apple has previewed new child safety features that will give parents more control over what children can see, who they can communicate with, and when they can access apps on their devices.

The new tools, announced as part of Apple’s latest software updates, include a simpler setup experience for child accounts, Ask to Browse, Time Allowances, and a redesigned Screen Time. Apple said the features will be available after installing the Screen Time update in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27.

Apple said the updates are designed to help parents create safer and more age-appropriate digital experiences for their children, while still allowing them to learn, communicate, and explore.

“At Apple, our mission has always been to create technology that empowers people and enriches their lives, while helping keep them safe,” said Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple’s vice president of Health and Fitness.

“Our approach to helping families create safer digital experiences is grounded in the belief that every child is unique. That’s why we build simple and intuitive tools, based on expert guidance, to let parents tailor their kids’ digital journey. Today, we’re introducing major updates to help families thoughtfully establish age-based protections and develop healthy digital habits,” Desai added.

According to Apple, the first and most important step parents can take is to set up a child account. This enables safeguards across the system based on a child’s age, including limiting adult websites, allowing only age-appropriate media, and setting age-based restrictions in the App Store.

Apple said a child account is required for children under 13 and available for children up to 18. However, the minimum age for account creation may vary depending on the country or region.

Once a child account is created, parents can use Setup Assistant to decide which apps their children can access from the start. Parents may choose only a few essential apps, a curated set, or specific apps they believe are appropriate. They can gradually add more apps over time while remaining in control.

Apple is also expanding its approval system through Ask to Browse. The feature allows parents to require children to ask permission before accessing a new website in Safari. It works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

The company said Ask to Buy will continue to let parents approve app downloads from the App Store, including free apps and in-app purchases.

Apple is also strengthening communication controls for children. Parents will be able to manage who their children can connect with through Messages, FaceTime, and Phone. As children try to communicate with new contacts, parents can require approval before allowing the connection.

Communication Safety, which already blurs nudity when detected in Messages and FaceTime calls, will also intervene to block gore or violent content when detected in shared images or videos. Apple said the feature is turned on by default for users under 18.

For app usage, Apple is introducing Time Allowances, which give parents more flexible ways to manage how much time children spend in app categories such as Entertainment, Games, and Social Media. Apple said the recommendations are based on expert research and tailored to the child’s age, but parents may adjust them depending on what they believe is best.

Parents will also be able to set daily Schedules to control which apps children can access at different times of the day and across the week. Apple said this can help children stay focused during school, meals, outdoor play, and other important family moments.

Screen Time is also being redesigned to give parents an at-a-glance view of their children’s average device usage and most-used apps. Parents can also quickly adjust access to apps and the web, pause device access, or extend time when a child needs extra time to finish something.

Apple said it is working with the American Academy of Pediatrics to adapt its Family Media Plan into a guide that parents can use with Apple products. The company said it continues to collaborate with researchers to better understand the impact of technology on children’s wellbeing.

The company has also launched a dedicated website for parents, featuring its latest tools, resources, and answers to common questions.

Apple also highlighted existing tools, including Screen Time Passcode Notifications, which alert parents when their Screen Time passcode has been entered on a child’s device, and User Reporting Tools, which allow harmful content to be reported directly to Apple in certain countries and regions. Apple said User Reporting Tools will be expanded globally.

Apple also cited Apple Watch For Your Kids, which allows children who do not have their own iPhone to use Apple Watch for calls, messages, location sharing through Find My, activity goals, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple Cash, and Schooltime mode.

For developers, Apple said it offers tools to help create more age-appropriate app experiences. These include SensitiveContentAnalysis, which can help protect children from inappropriate content such as violence or nudity, and PermissionKit, which can help ensure parents approve new in-app contacts.

Developers may also use the Declared Age Range API, which allows them to request a child’s age range and tailor the app experience without sharing the child’s birthday.

Apple said the new child safety features are part of its broader commitment to building a safer and more trusted platform for children and families.