Apple is giving parents more control over their children’s digital lives with a comprehensive suite of new safety tools coming this fall. The updates represent the company’s biggest push yet to address growing concerns about kids’ screen time and online safety.
The company announced the new features will be available after installing Screen Time updates in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. The changes build on Apple’s existing parental controls with more granular options for managing what kids can see, who they can talk to, and when they can use apps.
Simplified setup process guides parents through essential protections
The most important change starts with device setup. Apple now guides parents through creating a child account when setting up a new device. This account is required for children under 13 and available for kids up to 18.
Child accounts automatically enable age-appropriate safeguards across the system, including:
- Blocking adult websites by default
- Restricting media to age-appropriate content
- Setting age-based App Store restrictions
- Limiting initial app access to essential apps only
Parents can then gradually expand access over time while maintaining control at each step.
New web filtering feature extends parental approval system
Apple’s Ask to Buy feature, which requires parental approval for app downloads and in-app purchases, now has a web counterpart. The new Ask to Browse feature lets parents require approval before kids can access new websites in Safari.
The feature works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, giving parents consistent control regardless of which device their child is using. This addresses a key gap in Apple’s previous parental controls, which focused mainly on apps rather than web browsing.
Communication controls get stricter content filtering
Parents can now manage who their children connect with across Messages, FaceTime, and Phone from the start. Kids must ask for approval before adding new contacts to their communication apps.
Apple’s Communication Safety feature, which already blurs nudity in messages and video calls for users under 18, now also blocks gore and violent content when detected in shared images or videos.
Time limits become more flexible with expert guidance
The redesigned Time Allowances system gives parents more control over app categories like Entertainment, Games, and Social Media. Apple provides expert-backed guidance tailored to each child’s age as a starting point, though parents can adjust these recommendations.
A new Schedules feature lets parents set different app access rules for different times of day and days of the week. This helps ensure kids stay focused during school hours or family time.
Screen Time gets major redesign for easier management
The updated Screen Time interface gives parents a quick overview of their kids’ device usage and most-used apps. Parents can make instant adjustments with a single tap, such as temporarily limiting access during meals or extending time when kids need to finish schoolwork.
This real-time control represents a shift from Screen Time’s previous approach, which required parents to set rules in advance and offered limited flexibility for in-the-moment adjustments.
Expert partnerships aim to address broader digital wellness
Apple is working with the American Academy of Pediatrics to adapt their Family Media Plan for Apple products. The company also launched a dedicated website with resources and answers to common parental questions about digital safety.
The partnership reflects growing concern among parents and health experts about children’s screen time and digital habits. Studies have linked excessive screen time to sleep problems, attention issues, and social development challenges in children.
Developer tools expand age-appropriate app experiences
Apple is also giving app developers new tools to create age-appropriate experiences. The SensitiveContentAnalysis and PermissionKit APIs help developers filter inappropriate content and manage in-app contacts.
A new Declared Age Range API lets apps request a child’s age range to customize their experience without sharing specific birthday information. This privacy-focused approach allows for age-appropriate content while protecting children’s personal data.
The updates come as regulators worldwide are pushing tech companies to do more to protect children online. The EU’s Digital Services Act and similar legislation in other countries require platforms to implement stronger child safety measures.