Apple announced a significant overhaul to its Screen Time parental control tool at WWDC 2026, introducing new features designed to give parents and guardians greater control over how children use iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.
The changes, revealed on June 8, 2026, are set to arrive with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. New capabilities include expanded controls over who children can communicate with in Messages, what content and apps they can access, and recommended time allowances within Screen Time.
Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi outlined the intent behind the update during the keynote. “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,” he said.
The features are guided by recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Apple noted that experts have warned children under 13 should not have access to social media apps, citing that guidance as a basis for the direction of the new controls.
The update may matter to families who have found existing parental controls difficult to configure or enforce. By aligning its tools with established pediatric guidelines, Apple is signaling a more structured approach to child safety across its platforms — one that could give parents clearer defaults and recommendations rather than requiring them to configure settings from scratch.
Source: The Verge