Not all apps will work on children's iPhones anymore; Apple has updated its parental control rules in iOS 27..
Providing children with smartphones has become a necessity for many families today, yet it also brings increased concern for parents. Keeping track of what children are viewing on their phones, which apps they are using, and whom they are communicating with is no easy task. Addressing this challenge, Apple has introduced several parental control enhancements in iOS 27. During the initial phone setup, parents can now specify which apps a child is permitted to use and determine for which activities their explicit approval is required.
What has changed for children's accounts in iOS 27?
Apple allows iPhones to be set up for children using a "Child Account." The company mandates the use of such an account for children under the age of 13. This enables parents to apply restrictions on websites, movies, music, and apps, tailored to the child's age.
During the phone setup process, parents can select specific apps, opt for age-appropriate recommendations, or manually choose each app. There is also an option to remove certain Apple-native apps from the list. Furthermore, the "Ask to Buy" feature ensures that parents must provide approval before any free or paid apps are downloaded, or before any in-app purchases are made.
Permission required even for accessing new websites
In iOS 27, the "Ask to Browse" feature functions within the Safari browser. When a child under 13 attempts to open a link to a new website, a prompt requesting permission appears. Parents receive a notification regarding the link, allowing them to decide whether or not to grant access to that website. While this feature is disabled by default for teenagers, parents have the option to enable it if they wish.
Control over adding new contacts
Parents can require their approval before a child adds a new contact in the Messages, FaceTime, or Phone apps. This makes it easier to monitor interactions with unfamiliar individuals. Additionally, for users under 18, the 'Communication Safety' feature automatically blurs sensitive images. The latest update also includes measures to restrict the sending or receiving of violent or disturbing images and videos.
New options for Screen Time
Apple has introduced 'Time Allowances' for managing Screen Time. This allows parents to set daily usage limits for apps across various categories, such as gaming, entertainment, and social media. The company also provides time-based recommendations tailored to the child's age, drawing on research from experts. Parents can adjust these settings as needed.
Limitations of parental controls
Through the 'Family' section in settings, parents can view their child's average screen time, restrict device usage, and establish schedules. There is also an option to receive alerts whenever a passcode is entered.
However, these features do not function identically across all apps. Certain controls—such as those available for Safari and other native Apple apps—will only extend to third-party apps if the respective developers choose to support them. Furthermore, to utilize these new Screen Time features, all devices within a 'Family Sharing' group must be updated to the latest software version.
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