Uncovering four noteworthy strategies to manage your child's device usage on iPhone and iPad
Apple has unveiled a series of updates aimed at enhancing child safety and privacy in its operating systems. The new features, available in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26, offer improved age-based controls, privacy-respecting age sharing, and tighter parental oversight of digital content and contacts.
Updated Age Rating System
Apple has introduced three new age categories - 13+, 16+, and 18+ - alongside the existing 4+ and 9+ ratings. This system adjusts age ratings based on local laws and cultural standards. Developers answer expanded questionnaires covering in-app controls, sensitive content, and wellness topics to ensure accurate ratings. These ratings will show up in the App Store on devices running the new OS versions, helping parents and families make informed app choices.
Easier Child Account Creation and Management
The process for creating child accounts has been simplified. Parents can share age information securely with apps (with parental consent), improving how apps tailor content appropriately without revealing unnecessary personal data.
Parental Approval and Permissions
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 require parental approval for children’s contact requests. A new pop-up will appear when a child wants to add a contact, asking them to "Ask a Parent or Guardian to Approve this Person". Developers can ensure that apps deliver content aligned with the child’s age based on the provided information. Parents can grant permission for an exception, which immediately turns on the "Get" option on an app. Once the project is complete, parents can revoke the exception, causing the app to disappear from the child’s device.
Content Privacy Enhancements
Sensitive images in Messages are blurred for teenagers, and FaceTime calls and Shared Albums blur sensitive content by default, reducing exposure to inappropriate material.
Cross-Device Syncing of Controls
Features such as captive Wi-Fi portal logins now sync across Apple devices, streamlining child user management across an ecosystem.
Overall, these updates represent Apple’s broad initiative to enhance child safety with improved age-based controls, privacy-respecting age sharing, and tighter parental oversight of digital content and contacts. The system update aims to provide privacy and safety controls for parents, teens, and kids.
In addition, the iOS 26 upgrade may enhance the overall user experience of the iPhone. The upcoming update will allow parents to receive notifications on their best iPhone or best iPad when their passcode is used remotely. There are other Apple Intelligence updates available for immediate use.
These updates mark a significant step forward in Apple’s commitment to providing a safe and secure digital environment for children and families.
