Apple has unveiled a major expansion of its child safety and parental control tools, giving parents more direct control over what children can see, who they can contact, and when they can use certain apps. The update arrives through iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, and it places child protection at the center of the Apple ecosystem.
The move reflects growing concern about children’s safety online, a topic that has drawn sharper attention as governments and platforms face increasing pressure to better protect young users. Apple says the new approach is designed to give families stronger controls without removing the flexibility they need.
New Browsing Permission For Children
One of the most notable additions is Ask to Browse, which extends the idea behind Ask to Buy into web browsing. With this feature, children must request permission from a parent before opening a new website in Safari.
The tool works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and Apple says it is meant to help parents prevent access to sites that may not be appropriate for a child’s age. It adds another layer of oversight beyond app downloads and gives families a clearer way to manage internet access.
Child Accounts Expand Parental Control
Apple is also strengthening Child Account, which serves as the foundation for its child protection system. When a new device is being set up, parents are guided through the creation of a child account that automatically enables age-based protections.
Those protections include limits on adult websites, age-based media restrictions, and App Store content filters. The account is required for users under 13 and is available up to age 18, giving Apple a wider framework for family management.
Once the account is created, parents can decide which apps their child may use. They can approve only essential apps, choose from app bundles curated by Apple, or pick allowed apps individually.
New apps cannot be added without parental approval, keeping the final decision in the hands of the family rather than the device itself.
Communication Safety Gets Stricter
Apple is also tightening controls around communication. Parents can enable a setting that requires approval before a child adds a new contact to the device, reducing the chance of unwanted contact with strangers.
The company has also upgraded Communication Safety, which can step in automatically when the system detects explicit or violent content. Apple says the feature is intended to reduce exposure to material that is not suitable for children.
Screen Time Becomes More Flexible
Screen Time is getting a significant update as well, with parents now able to set daily limits by app category. That means social media can be limited to one hour a day, while games may be capped at two hours, depending on the household’s rules.
The categories available for control include social media, entertainment, and games. Apple also offers usage recommendations based on guidance from child development experts and health professionals, which can serve as a starting point for families that need help setting boundaries.
Another new feature, Schedules, lets parents block or allow specific apps at certain times. Educational apps can remain available during school hours, while social media and games can be automatically blocked until the study period ends.
A Clearer View For Parents
Apple has also redesigned the Screen Time interface to make it easier to understand. Parents can now see a quick summary of their child’s device use, including average daily screen time and the apps used most often.
The updated layout is meant to help parents spot patterns more quickly and respond if media use, gaming, or other app activity begins to grow too heavy. Apple has paired that effort with a dedicated website that provides guidance, resources, and answers for families.
Built With Pediatric And Research Input
According to Apple, the new features were developed with input from health and child development experts. The company has worked with the American Academy of Pediatrics to adapt its Family Media Plan into the Apple ecosystem.
Apple also says it continues to collaborate with researchers to better understand how technology affects children’s wellbeing. That approach signals a broader effort to build a safer digital experience based on research as well as product design.
The timing of the announcement places Apple in the middle of a wider debate over child protection in digital spaces. With regulators, companies, and advocacy groups all paying closer attention, Apple is positioning its latest software cycle as a stronger toolkit for families trying to manage children’s online lives.