Apple is doubling down on child safety with a suite of new features coming to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, and tvOS 18 this fall. These updates give parents more control over their kids’ digital interactions—from who they message to what they see in FaceTime and shared albums.
But what exactly do these features do, and how will they impact families? Let’s break it down.
1. Parental Approval for New Contacts
How it works:
- If a child tries to message a new phone number, they’ll need parental approval first.
- Requests appear in Messages, and parents can approve or decline with a tap.
Why it matters:
This helps prevent strangers from contacting kids without oversight—a big win for safety in group chats or unknown numbers.
2. PermissionKit: Parental Controls for Third-Party Apps
Apple is introducing PermissionKit, allowing developers to integrate parental approval into their apps.
Example use cases:
- A child wants to follow someone new on Instagram → Parent gets a request.
- A teen tries to friend a stranger on Snapchat → Requires approval.
Key benefit:
This extends Apple’s safety features beyond iMessage, covering social media and messaging apps.
3. Stricter Age-Based Protections
Apple already enforces web filters and app restrictions for kids under 13. Now, it’s expanding safeguards for teens (13-17):
- More granular App Store ratings (13+, 16+, 18+).
- Parents can share a child’s age range(not exact birthdate) with apps via the Declared Age Range API.
Why this matters:
- Helps block mature content without compromising privacy.
- Aligns with state laws (like Utah’s age verification bill) while avoiding full ID checks.
4. Communication Safety Upgrades
Apple’s nudity detection tool, first introduced in 2021, is getting smarter:
- FaceTime intervention: Blurs nudity in real-time calls.
- Photos app blurring: Detects and obscures explicit images in shared albums.
Privacy note:
All detection happens on-device—Apple doesn’t scan your photos.
5. The Bigger Debate: Age Verification vs. Privacy
Companies like Meta and Snap support mandatory age checks, but Apple has resisted over privacy concerns.
Current laws:
- Utah and Texas now require age verification for app stores.
- Apple’s Declared Age Range API offers a middle ground—sharing age brackets without exact DOBs.
Parental takeaway:
More control, but still no perfect solution for balancing safety and privacy.
Final Thoughts: Should You Enable These Features?
Apple’s updates give parents more tools to protect kids online—but they’re optional.
Key questions to consider:
- Will you use contact approval for younger kids?
- Do you trust age-range sharing over exact birthdates?
Let us know in the comments: How do you manage your child’s online safety today?
