Apple Expands Child Safety Controls as Governments Tighten Social Media Rules
Apple has announced new child-safety features for iPhones and iPads, giving parents greater control over app access, web browsing and communications amid growing global scrutiny of children's online safety.
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Apple has introduced a new collection of child safety tools aimed at giving parents greater authority over the way children use apps, websites and online messaging, as governments across the globe step up their scrutiny of how young users are engaging with digital platforms.
Apple announced the new tools at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) and will roll them out later this year with software updates for iPhones and iPads.
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Expanded Parental Controls:
The updates will let parents decide which apps their children can use, restrict website viewing and manage communication permissions directly on Apple devices.
The features are an extension of Apple’s existing child account infrastructure, which is mandatory for users under 13 and available for teens up to 18 years old.
Apple says these expanded controls are designed to help families create age-appropriate digital experiences and provide more flexibility based on a child’s maturity and needs.
Growing Focus on Online Safety:
The move comes amid growing concerns over child safety online and the impact of social media on younger users.
Governments and regulators in several countries have been looking at how digital platforms expose children to risks such as cyberbullying, harmful content and excessive screen time.
Apple said the new measures are meant to help parents promote healthier technology habits, while maintaining more oversight of digital activity.
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Regulatory Pressure Builds:
The rollout is part of a broader regulatory push to curb children’s access to social media and online platforms.
Last year, Australia was the first democratic country to call on leading social media companies to prevent users under 16 from using their services.
Similar conversations are happening across Europe, the UK, Indonesia and India where policymakers are considering more robust protections for young internet users.
The debate has also been heightened by lawsuits and court cases involving the use of social media and by research into its possible effects on children’s mental health and wellbeing.
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