Apple Shares New Video Promoting iOS 27 Parental Controls

Apple has introduced a new video showcasing the enhanced parental control features included in iOS 27. The company highlights that setting up Child Accounts in iOS 27 is now more straightforward and user-friendly. The updated controls empower parents to decide which applications their children can access and utilize the Ask to Buy feature, enabling children to request new apps and games.

Ask to Browse provides an additional layer of protection, allowing parents to block or permit specific websites on Safari while also controlling who children can contact via calls and messages. Communication Safety in Messages and FaceTime is designed to identify and block any violent or explicit content in images and videos. Parents can further tailor their children's digital experience by setting Time Allowances and Schedules, which allow customization of access by day, hour, and activity.

This includes the ability to restrict app usage during school hours. Notably, Apple's updated parental controls come at a time when the company is facing regulatory scrutiny regarding child safety in various countries, including the UK, U.S., and Australia. The UK has advocated for device-level controls that would prevent children from viewing and sharing inappropriate images, while the U.S. is considering the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, currently under review in the Senate.

Australia has already implemented measures prohibiting children under 16 from creating accounts on certain social media platforms. iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate were released on September 14, and for the Screen Time update to function, all devices within a Family Sharing group must be updated to the latest software.