CUPERTINO — Apple announced updates to its Screen Time parental control features at the WWDC 2026 developers conference. These updated controls are scheduled for release in the fall of 2026 with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27.
The Screen Time redesign will provide parents with recommended time allowances for application categories including Entertainment, Games, and Social Media. These recommendations are based on guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The company states that medical experts advise against children under 13 using social media applications.
The redesigned Screen Time interface will display a child's most frequently used applications and average device usage. Parents can adjust application and web access permissions with a single tap within this updated interface. "We're giving parents powerful, easy-to-use tools to help manage what kids can see, who they can talk to, and when they have access." company software engineering chief Craig Federighi said.
New safety features include a Communication Safety function that will detect and block images and videos containing gore or violence when shared with minors. Additionally, an Ask to Browse feature will require parental approval before a child can visit new websites in the Safari browser. The Ask to Browse and Ask to Buy features are enabled by default for accounts belonging to children under 13.
Parents must also approve new contacts that children attempt to add in the Messages, FaceTime, and Phone applications. The company launched a dedicated website to provide guides, resources, and frequently asked questions about the new parental controls. Raja Bose, the company's director of trust, safety, and values product marketing, noted the benefits of children having their own devices. "On one hand, there's so many benefits to your child having their own device. You rest easier since you can stay in touch, know where they are, and provide them with great apps that can help them learn and grow." Bose said.
Ann Thai, company senior director of marketplace platforms and technologies, discussed the role of developers. "While Apple's powerful controls help parents manage which apps their child can access, and when, it's developers who play an important role in ensuring kids are getting age-appropriate experiences within apps." Thai said. She added, "We believe every application has that same responsibility." The company provides application programming interfaces to developers that enable parental approval workflows and content filtering for nudity and violence.