Apple has expanded its child protection tools with the iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 updates, adding more detailed options for controlling apps, websites, device usage time, and communication. The company says these tools are intended to give parents greater flexibility in managing what their children watch, who they communicate with, and when they can use apps and devices.
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Greater control over apps and websites
The changes begin with the way the child's account is set up. Apple allows parents to choose which apps the child can access when setting up the device, with the possibility of adding other apps later. These settings work in conjunction with the Ask to Buy feature, which allows the child to send a request to their parents when they want to download an eligible app or game.
One of the most notable additions is the "Ask to Browse" feature, which allows parents to request their permission before their child opens a new website in Safari or other supported browsers. Apple explains that this feature is enabled by default for children under 13, while the feature to restrict adult websites is enabled by default for accounts belonging to users under 18, with some rules varying by country or region.
This step addresses a different aspect of parental control. Instead of limiting restrictions to downloadable applications, parents can also control which websites can be accessed through the browser.
These options fall under the Screen Time and Family Sharing settings, allowing parents to manage restrictions from the family account rather than relying on separate settings each time.
Communication security expands the scope of protection
Apple has expanded its Communication Safety feature to include, in addition to nudity, images and videos that may contain scenes of violence or blood. When sensitive content is detected, the system can blur the image or video before displaying it, and then provide age-appropriate warnings and guidance, as well as options such as contacting a trusted person or leaving the conversation.
Apple confirms that the analysis of photos and videos is done on the child's device using machine learning, so the company does not receive a signal indicating the detection of sensitive content, nor does it obtain the photos or videos themselves.
It should be noted that violence detection does not work the same way in all cases. Apple documents explain that FaceTime's detection of violence and gore includes video messages, but not live calls.
Apple redesigned Screen Time to provide a clearer view of how a child uses their device, displaying the most frequently used apps and allowing quick access modifications. The company also added Time Allowances, which allow setting time limits for categories of apps, such as games, entertainment, and social media.
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