Apple unveiled a suite of new child safety features that will allow parents to exercise greater control over what their children can access online, who they can communicate with and how much time they spend on apps.

The updates, announced ahead of the rollout of iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 later this year, include a simplified child account setup process, a new Ask to Browse feature for websites, Time Allowances for app categories, an overhauled Screen Time experience and expanded protections against harmful content.

"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, 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."

Apple said child accounts remain the foundation of its safety framework for younger users. Parents setting up a new device for a child will now be guided through a simplified onboarding process. Child accounts are mandatory for children under the age of 13 and available for users up to 18 years old.

New controls for online content and communication

Apple is expanding parental oversight beyond apps with the introduction of Ask to Browse. Similar to the existing Ask to Buy feature, which requires parental approval before downloading an app or making an in-app purchase, Ask to Browse requires children to seek permission before accessing a new website through Safari.

The company is also strengthening Communication Safety protections. The feature, which already blurs nudity detected in Messages and FaceTime and is enabled by default for users under 18, will now identify and intervene when graphic violence or gore is detected in shared images and videos.

Apple is introducing additional controls over who children can communicate with through Messages, FaceTime and Phone. Parents can require approval before children connect with new contacts, giving them greater visibility into their child's digital interactions and helping prevent unwanted communication. 

Time Allowances expand Screen Time controls

One of the most significant additions is Time Allowances, a new feature that allows parents to set usage limits across categories such as social media, gaming and entertainment rather than on an app-by-app basis.

Apple says the feature includes recommendations based on expert research and a child's age, though parents retain the flexibility to customise limits according to their preferences. Parents can also create daily schedules that determine which apps are available during specific times of the day. The feature is intended to help children stay focused during school hours while allowing greater flexibility outside those periods.

Apple has redesigned Screen Time to provide parents with a clearer overview of how children use their devices. Parents can make real-time adjustments to app and web access with a single tap, allowing them to quickly restrict device usage during family meals, outdoor activities or other periods when they want children to remain focused offline. Parents can also temporarily extend app access when children need additional time to complete a task.

New resources for families and developers

The company is also expanding efforts to support developers in creating age-appropriate experiences. New and existing tools, including SensitiveContentAnalysis, PermissionKit and the Declared Age Range API, will allow developers to tailor experiences based on a child's age range without collecting sensitive information such as birth dates.

Availability

The new child safety features will be available through a Screen Time update for iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 later this year. Apple said features may vary by region and are subject to change before public release.