Apple's latest child safety features launch amid increasing pressure on major technology companies.

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      New child safety tools enable parents to have more control over what their children can view, download, and browse online.

      Apple has introduced a new array of child safety features at WWDC 2026, empowering parents to manage what their children can access on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

      This update comes as governments increasingly pressure tech companies to enhance online protection for children. Australia has already implemented restrictions on social media usage for kids under 16, with several European nations contemplating similar measures. Parents and regulators are focused not only on the duration of screen time but also on harmful content, interactions with strangers, social media, and whether children are accessing the internet prematurely.

      Parents gain more authority over apps and websites

      Apple is introducing a new setup assistant that allows parents to determine what their child can access from the outset. They can permit a limited number of basic apps, select a recommended list, or choose specific apps individually. As children mature, parents can gradually increase their access.

      The company is also expanding its approval controls. The existing Ask to Buy feature lets children request permission before downloading an app. Now, a new Ask to Browse function will work similarly for websites. When a child wishes to visit a new site in Safari, they must first seek parental approval. Both Ask to Buy and Ask to Browse will be enabled by default for children under 13, and parents can also activate them for teenagers.

      Parents will additionally have the ability to manage who their child can communicate with. Initially, a child can connect with close family, and then they must seek permission before adding new contacts.

      Screen Time becomes simpler to manage

      Apple is revising Screen Time to make it easier for parents to impose limits. The updated system includes recommended daily time allowances for entertainment, gaming, and social media, developed with guidance from clinical and child development experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.

      Parents can adjust these limits as needed and create schedules for school days, weekends, or different times of day, restricting certain apps to appropriate periods.

      The Communication Safety feature, which alerts children before they view or send images or videos that may include nudity, is being enhanced. It will now also intervene before children encounter explicit or violent images or videos shared with them.

      These new features appear to be a sensible initiative from Apple, placing parents at the forefront of decision-making, especially regarding children's online access and the amount of screen time incorporated into their daily lives. Throughout a child's developmental years, this control can significantly impact families, allowing them to establish boundaries based on age, maturity, and daily routines rather than leaving such decisions solely to apps and platforms.