Apple has introduced a new suite of child safety and parental control features across its latest software updates, giving parents greater control over what their children can access, who they communicate with and how much time they spend using apps.
The features, first previewed in June, are now available with iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 as Apple expands its efforts to create safer digital experiences for children and families.
Parents get more control over browsing
One of the biggest additions is Ask to Browse, a new Safari feature that allows parents to require their approval before a child visits a new website.
The feature extends Apple’s existing parental controls beyond apps and screen time, giving parents another layer of oversight over the content children encounter while browsing the internet.
Apple has also simplified the process of setting up new child accounts, including providing a recommended selection of essential apps to help families get started.
Communication Safety expands beyond nudity
Apple is also strengthening its Communication Safety technology.
The feature now provides protection against gore and violent content, in addition to its existing protections around nudity in images and videos.
These safeguards extend to content shared through supported communication experiences, including live FaceTime calls, as Apple looks to reduce children’s exposure to potentially disturbing material.
New Time Allowances help families manage screen time
Parents will also have access to Time Allowances, which provide age-tailored guidance for managing how much time children spend across different categories of apps.
The recommendations cover areas such as Social Media, Entertainment and Games, providing families with a starting point when deciding how much screen time may be appropriate for children of different ages.
Apple says the guidance was developed with input from online safety and health experts.
Screen Time gets a major redesign
The company’s familiar Screen Time feature has also been redesigned to make parental controls easier to understand and manage.
Parents can now see their children’s device usage at a glance and use one-tap controls to make immediate adjustments to access when necessary.
The changes are designed to make Screen Time less complicated for families while giving parents greater flexibility to respond to their children’s changing digital habits.
Apple works with American Academy of Pediatrics
Apple says its latest child safety updates have been informed by guidance from online safety and health experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The company is working with the organisation to adapt its Family Media Plan into guidance that parents can reference when using Apple products.
Apple has also launched a dedicated child safety website where families can learn more about the company’s parental controls and receive guidance on creating safer and more enriching digital experiences for children.
Available now across Apple’s latest software
The new features are available through the Screen Time update on iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27.
For the updated Screen Time experience to work across a Family Sharing group, Apple says all participating devices must be running the latest compatible versions of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27 or visionOS 27.
