Apple continues its commitment to child safety and data privacy. In a newly released white paper last night, the company unveiled a series of new features designed to enhance the safety of young users on its devices while providing parents with improved control.
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Enhanced and Simplified Child Accounts
A key update is the creation of child accounts. Apple has redesigned this process to make it simpler and more intuitive. When setting up a new iPhone or iPad, a new step called Age Range
allows parents to select the age of the child who will be using the device.
This information will automatically adjust the parental control features and security measures suitable for the age, eliminating the need to enter the child’s exact birth date or other sensitive personal information.
An Age Verification API for Developers
Apple has also introduced an age verification API for app developers. This tool allows parents to share only their children’s age range with apps, rather than their actual birthdate.
The goal is to enable developers to tailor the content and features of their apps to the age of the user while adhering to the principle of data minimization—a key concept to limit the collection of personal information.
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Updates to the App Store and Recommendations
Apple is also revising the criteria for the App Store to better inform and protect families, with clearer age ratings on product pages, more suitable recommendations to prevent exposure to inappropriate content, and safer navigation for kids through enhanced filters.
These updates aim to provide parents with greater visibility into what their children are downloading and using, while simplifying the rules for developers. They are part of Apple’s overall strategy to ensure the digital safety of children without compromising their right to privacy.
Availability and Rollout
These new features will be integrated into iOS 18.4, with official deployment expected in the coming weeks. Parents will be able to configure these settings right from the setup of a new device, and developers will have access to the API to start incorporating it into their applications.
Apple emphasizes in its white paper that these tools are in addition to those already in place, such as Screen Time to monitor and limit device usage, Find My to track children’s locations safely, Communication Safety to automatically detect and blur sensitive content in Messages, and Communication Limits to manage who children can communicate with.