Apple announced a new safety feature called 'Child Account' at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8. The feature will require children under 13 to have a Child Account on Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Parents will create these accounts during device setup, enabling them to control content access, app usage, and communication permissions. The feature will be available with the Screen Time update for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, launching later this year, according to medianama.com.
The Child Account feature allows parents to select which apps their children can use from a curated list or decide app appropriateness themselves. This list can be adjusted over time. While mandatory for users under 13, those aged 13 to 17 can opt out of the feature. The update aims to give parents granular control over their children's digital interactions, addressing concerns about minors’ exposure to inappropriate content and social media use.
This move comes amid global scrutiny of Big Tech's role in digital addiction among minors. Several countries have banned or are considering restrictions on social media access for children. Apple’s introduction of mandatory Child Accounts for younger users aligns with increasing regulatory and societal demands for enhanced child data protection and privacy measures. It also reflects a growing trend among technology companies to implement age-based content controls.
The Child Account feature will become available after the release of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 later this year, as per Apple’s announcement at WWDC on June 8. This update marks a significant step in parental control tools on Apple devices.