Apple is promoting the parental control features introduced with iOS 27 in a new video, highlighting tools that give parents more control over how children use iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. The update simplifies Child Account setup and adds more detailed controls for apps, websites, communication, and screen time.

The changes are part of Apple's broader child-safety efforts as governments in the UK, United States, and Australia consider or introduce rules aimed at protecting children online. Apple's updated controls became available on September 14 alongside iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate.

More control over apps and websites

Apple says Child Accounts are now easier to create and more intuitive to manage. Parents can choose which types of apps their children are allowed to access, while Ask to Buy lets children request new apps and games for approval.

A separate feature called Ask to Browse lets parents decide which websites children can visit in Safari. Parents can block or permit browsing access, providing a way to set limits beyond app-level restrictions.

Family controls also cover communication. Parents can choose who their children are allowed to call or message, helping them manage contacts across supported communication features.

Safety protections for messages and video calls

Communication Safety in Messages and FaceTime is designed to detect and block images and videos containing violence or nudity. The feature extends Apple's existing safety approach to visual content shared through messaging and video-calling services.

These protections are intended to reduce children's exposure to inappropriate material, although the source information does not specify how detection works or which types of content may be blocked in every situation.

Schedules and one-tap screen-time controls

iOS 27 also adds more flexible ways to control when children can use apps and services. Time Allowances and Schedules let parents set access rules by day, hour, and activity. Parents can limit app use during specific periods, including school hours.

Apple is also promoting one-tap controls for quickly changing access. Parents can pause access entirely during family activities such as dinnertime or enable unlimited screen time when restrictions are not needed.

Regulatory pressure on child safety

The new controls arrive as Apple faces growing regulatory attention around children's online safety. The UK has called for device-level protections that prevent children from viewing and sharing inappropriate images. In the United States, the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act is before the Senate.

Australia has already prohibited children under 16 from creating accounts on certain social media apps. Apple's controls do not replace those rules, but the timing places greater focus on the device-level tools available to families.

For Screen Time changes to work across a Family Sharing group, Apple says every device in the group must be updated to the latest software.