Apple launches new child safety features for iOS 27

Apple has introduced a new suite of child safety and parental control features integrated into iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. These updates aim to provide parents with enhanced oversight of their children’s digital activities across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Key features include the simplified setup of Child Accounts and the “Ask to Browse” function, which requires parental approval before a child can access new websites via Safari. This complements the existing “Ask to Buy” feature for app downloads and in-app purchases. Additionally, the “Communication Safety” tool has been expanded to detect and intervene when gore or violent content is identified in shared images and videos, including during FaceTime calls.

To manage device usage, Apple introduced “Time Allowances” and “Schedules,” allowing parents to set daily limits for specific categories like social media or games and establish routine-based access. Parents can also manage new contacts, requiring permission before a child communicates with someone new. These measures arrive amid increasing global regulatory interest in protecting minors online, including proposed age restrictions in the United Kingdom and Texas.