Not every app will work on children's iPhones anymore; Apple has changed parental control rules in iOS 27..
Providing smartphones to children has become a necessity for many families today, yet it also brings increased anxiety for parents. Keeping track of what children are viewing, which apps they are using, and whom they are communicating with is no easy task. Addressing these concerns, Apple has introduced several parental control updates in iOS 27. Parents can now determine—right during the initial phone setup—which apps their child is permitted to use and for which activities parental approval will be required.
What has changed regarding child accounts in iOS 27?
iPhones can be set up for children using Apple's "Child Account" feature. The company mandates the use of such accounts for children under the age of 13. These accounts allow parents to place restrictions on websites, movies, music, and apps based on the child's age.
During setup, parents can select essential apps, opt for age-appropriate app recommendations, or manually choose specific apps. There is also an option to remove certain Apple apps from the list. Additionally, the "Ask to Buy" feature allows parents to require approval before a child downloads free or paid apps or makes in-app purchases.
Permission required before opening new websites
In iOS 27, the "Ask to Browse" feature operates within the Safari browser. When a child under 13 attempts to open a link to a new website, a permission request screen appears. Parents receive a notification regarding the link and can decide whether or not to grant permission for the child to access the site. This feature is disabled by default for teenagers, though parents can choose to enable it.
Control over adding new contacts
Parental approval can also be required if a child wishes to add a new contact number within the Messages, FaceTime, or Phone apps. This makes it easier to monitor interactions with strangers. Additionally, the 'Communication Safety' feature automatically blurs sensitive photos for users under the age of 18. The new update also includes measures to restrict the sending and receiving of violent or disturbing images and videos.
New options for Screen Time
Apple has introduced 'Time Allowances' for managing Screen Time. This feature allows parents to set daily usage limits for apps across various categories, such as gaming, entertainment, and social media. The company also provides time-related recommendations based on the child's age and expert research, which parents can adjust as needed.
There are some limitations to parental controls
Through the 'Family' section in settings, parents can view their child's average screen time, restrict device usage, and set time schedules. There is also an option to receive alerts when a passcode is entered.
However, these features do not function identically across all apps. Certain controls for Safari and other Apple apps will only be available in third-party apps if the developers choose to support them. To utilize these new Screen Time features, all devices in the Family Sharing group must be updated to the latest software.
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