Apple Expands Child Safety Tools With New Safari Controls and Redesigned Screen Time

Apple is expanding its family safety tools this fall with a new set of controls for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, giving parents more ways to guide how children use apps, browse the web, and communicate across Apple devices.

The updates are coming to iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, with Apple focusing on easier setup and more flexible controls. Parents will be able to choose which apps are available to a child from the beginning, whether that means allowing only a small group of essential apps, selecting from recommended options, or building a more personalized setup based on the child’s age and needs.

Safari is also getting a new parental approval feature called Ask to Browse. When enabled, children will need permission before opening a new website, giving parents more direct control over web access without having to manually block or allow sites in advance.

Apple is also updating communication controls across Messages, FaceTime, and Phone.

Parents will be able to manage who a child can contact, and a new permission setting can require approval before the child connects with someone new. The goal is to give families more oversight while still allowing children to stay connected with trusted contacts.

Communication Safety is being expanded as well. Apple says images and videos containing graphic violence or gore will be blurred by default for users under 18, similar to the company’s existing protections for sensitive nude content. The feature will apply in Messages and FaceTime.

Screen Time is receiving one of the biggest changes with a redesigned interface and a new Time Allowances feature. Parents will be able to set limits for categories such as games, entertainment, and social media, with suggested limits based on a child’s age and expert guidance. Apple is also adding Daily Schedules, making it possible to control which apps are available at certain times of day or on specific days of the week.

The updated Screen Time dashboard will provide a clearer look at a child’s device activity, including frequently used apps and current usage patterns. Parents will also be able to make quick adjustments when needed, such as limiting access during meals, outdoor time, homework, or other moments when a device should be less distracting.

Apple is also launching a dedicated Child Safety website where families can learn more about the new tools and how they work across iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate.