Apple unveiled a broad set of new child safety features across its devices and services at the company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference 2026 (WWDC) on June 8.
Apple seeks to give parents greater control over how children use technology and access online content through new parental control tools, expanded communication safeguards and a redesigned screen time experience. The features are scheduled to arrive later this year through software updates for iPhone, iPad and Mac.
The updates centre on four areas: the content children can access, the people they can communicate with, the amount of time they spend using apps, and the tools available to parents to manage those experiences.
According to Apple, parents setting up devices for children will be guided through the creation of a child account, which enables age-based protections throughout the operating system. These safeguards include restrictions on adult websites, age-appropriate media recommendations and App Store controls. Child accounts are mandatory for users under the age of 13 and available for those up to 18 years old.
The company is also introducing new options that allow parents to determine which applications children can access when they first begin using a device. Parents can start with a limited selection of apps and gradually expand access over time.
Under a new ‘ask to browse’ feature, children can be required to obtain parental permission before accessing a new website through Safari.
Parents can also manage which contacts their children communicate with through messages, facetime and phone calls, and can require approval before children connect with new contacts.
Apple said its existing communication safety feature, which automatically blurs nude imagery for younger users, will now also detect and intervene when violent or graphic content is shared through images or videos.
To address concerns about screen time, Apple introduced a new ‘Time Allowances’ feature that enables parents to manage app usage across categories such as games, entertainment and social media. Parents will also be able to establish schedules that determine when certain apps can be used throughout the day and week.
Screen Time, Apple's parental management dashboard, has been redesigned to provide parents with a clearer overview of device usage patterns and frequently used applications. The updated interface also allows parents to quickly adjust restrictions or extend access when needed.
Apple said many of the new controls were developed with input from child development specialists, online safety experts and health professionals. Apple is also working with the American Academy of Pediatrics to adapt family media guidance for use with Apple products.
Alongside the new features, Apple also launched a dedicated website for parents that provides information about child safety tools and digital wellbeing resources. The new child safety features will be available through screen time updates in iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 later this year.
