Apple's WWDC 26: New Kid Controls Revealed

At WWDC 26, Apple unveiled expanded child safety features, giving parents greater oversight. Children can now specifically ask for permission to browse websites that are typically blocked by their filters. This extends to initiating contact with unknown individuals, which will require explicit parental approval before communication is allowed.

Apple is also implementing automatic filtering for potentially inappropriate photos sent to devices. This system will censor images identified by the system as harmful. The technology will also apply to live FaceTime calls, proactively censoring content that may depict gore or violence.

The redesigned Screen Time feature offers more granular control. Parents can set distinct time allowances for different experiences like games and social media. Additionally, scheduling controls are more precise, allowing for differentiated rules between weekdays and weekends.