Apple has announced that it will be expanding of parental control tools when the new OS 26 versions roll out later in the year. Most of these features are related to the age of the younger user, be it providing an age range to apps that require it rather than a specific number, as well as expanding Child Account protections to teens aged 16 and 17.
On that note, Apple has made it so that accounts for users of those ages will be see similar age-appropriate protections enabled by default. This includes things like web filters and Communication Safety, which shields them from photos and videos with nudity. While users of said age range don’t have to use a Child Account, the company says that it’s mandatory for those who are younger than 16.
Moving on to the Apple App Store, the bitten fruit brand now allows you to provide the age range of your children to apps that need it, rather than their specific age. Parents can choose if this is something that’s always shared, or asked upon each app request. Similarly, the App Store will also make it so that appropriate age ranges for apps become more granular. Devs can designate their apps as appropriate for ages 13+, 16+ or 18+, which will conversely give users better understanding of an app’s appropriateness.
All of this adds to the existing and pretty extensive list of parental control tools, which includes the very interesting Ask to Buy. This basically means kids have to ask for parents’ permission to download apps, especially for apps that need to be bought first, as well as in-app purchases. This can be useful for preventing instances like kids emptying their parents’ bank account by buying lootboxes in games. You can find out more about Apple’s current parental control features by hitting this link.
