Apple has released a video spotlighting the enhanced parental controls that come with iOS 27. With this update, child safety features have been redesigned to be more intuitive for setting up accounts, managing apps, and overseeing communications on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
What’s New in Controls
The update introduces Child Accounts that streamline account setup and improve usability. Parents now have finer control over which apps children can access and must approve any app or game via the revamped “Ask to Buy” process. A feature called “Ask to Browse” allows parents to permit or block specific websites in Safari. Communication controls let parents dictate who kids can call or message, and a new safety layer in Messages and FaceTime automatically detects and blocks nudity or violence in images or videos.
Managing Time & Schedules
Time Allowances and Schedules give parents flexibility to restrict device access based on the day, hour, or type of activity. For example, school hours can come with app limits, while family times like dinner may trigger a one-tap pause to block access completely. There’s also an option to grant unrestricted usage when needed.
Regulatory Momentum & Release Info
Apple’s push comes amid growing regulatory pressure, especially from the UK, U.S., and Australia, to reinforce child digital safety. The UK has been pushing for stronger device-level protections, while the U.S. Senate has seen proposed legislation aimed at safeguarding kids online. Australia has already restricted under-16s from setting up accounts on certain social media platforms.
The parental controls were made available to all users as of September 14, in line with the release of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate. To use the updated Screen Time features, every member of a Family Sharing group must be running the latest version of Apple’s operating system.
These changes mark Apple’s most substantial overhaul of parental controls in recent years. By giving parents more granular tools to manage content, communication, and screen time, Apple aims to balance child safety with modern device use. Observers will be watching how effective the filters, communication safeguards, and schedule enforcement turn out to be in real-world use.
