At the Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple introduced a number of tools designed to give parents back control over how their children use the iPhone. This includes features that let parents decide who a child can talk to, what apps they can use, whether they can visit certain websites, as well as access to other tools to block inappropriate texts, manage screen time schedules, get age-appropriate app suggestions, and more.
The redesigned version of its Screen Time controls builds on the technology Apple already offers, expanding its capabilities in new ways with more granular controls. This comes as the mental health impacts of technology on children’s development come to the forefront of people’s minds, and as new laws and regulations seek to strengthen children’s access to devices and social media.
When you create child accounts on a new device, Apple will adjust the protections to their age, block adult websites, allow only age-appropriate media, and set age-based restrictions on the App Store. Parents can adjust these settings if they want, but now they can’t move forward.
For example, parents can start by giving children access only to content they are comfortable with, and then add more over time, as they see fit. Apple will make smart app suggestions during setup, letting parents choose whether they want to give the child access to essentials only, or if they want to pick and choose other apps the child can use. This makes sense especially for young children who get iPhones, such as tweens and other school-aged children, who may not be ready for all the fun an iPhone has to offer.
In addition, parents will be able to control access to websites that children can browse, too – a much-needed feature as children have historically used websites to interact with parental controls that can limit access to certain apps, typically social media.
The feature, “Ask to Browse,” works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with Safari, Apple notes. Also, along with “Ask to Purchase” in apps and games, it is automatically turned on for children under 13.
Parents will also be able to control which contacts a child can add to their contacts, and they can choose to block media from text messages that may include gore or violence. A similar feature is already available to prevent potential nudity, reducing concerns about sending sexual messages.
The company’s existing Screen Time controls allow parents to set a schedule and choose which apps are available on which days and at what times. The feature helps parents limit access to things like social media during school hours, but not on weekends.
What’s new is that Apple is now relying on expert advice to make recommendations for early screen time allowances, based on the child’s age and app category. Apple said it consulted with the American Academy of Pediatrics and others about the feature. The company also specifically pointed out that social media applications are not recommended for children under the age of 13, which is why Apple may suggest that this section be closed to younger children.
The Screen Time feature has been redesigned, too, to make it easier for parents to see how kids have been using their devices, and to allow parents to adjust that access with just a tap.
On the other hand, application developers are provided with a full set of APIs that allow them to protect against nudity and violent content in applications, help ensure that parents approve any new contacts in applications, or ensure that a child is old enough to use their application, among other options.
The new parental controls will be rolled out to consumers with the release of iOS 27 in the fall.
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