Along with Siri AI and new software updates, the company has announced new child safety and parental control features. This will allow parents to better manage how their children interact with technology. This will be released later this year with iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 and aims to make parental controls easier to use.
The new features arrive at a time when the internet and multiple lawsuits are increasingly concerned about children’s screen time, online safety and exposure to inappropriate content. According to the company, the new features were developed jointly with child development specialists, healthcare experts, and online safety organisations.
Apple has now simplified the process to set up the Child Account. Parents will be able to choose which apps their children can access from the moment a device is set up, instead of granting broad access by default.
The company has also introduced a new feature called Ask to Browse. It is similar to the Ask to Buy system and allows children to request permission before accessing a new website through Safari. The feature is aimed at helping parents stay informed about the content their children are viewing online.
Apple is also expanding its communication features. Parents will be able to decide whether their children need permission to contact new people via Messages, FaceTime, or phone. The Communication Safety is being upgraded. The feature already alerts children when potentially sensitive images are detected.
The upcoming update will also detect and intervene when graphic violent content is shared in photos or videos. The company claims that these safeguards are intended to work without violating user privacy, with content analysis performed on-device whenever possible.
The company has also redesigned the interface to provide parents with a clearer picture of how their children use their devices, including average usage patterns and the apps they spend the most time on.
Time Allowances, a new feature, will allow parents to set limits for entire app categories such as social media, gaming, and entertainment rather than managing individual apps one by one. Parents can also set schedules for when specific apps can be used during the day, making it easier to reduce distractions during school, family activities, or bedtime.