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From stronger controls over web browsing and shortcuts to limit screen time, Apple just announced much-needed child-safety features for its OS.
iOS 27 isn't as flashy an operating system update as its predecessor, but is it the iterative update we needed? Forget the Liquid Glass overlays and refractive app icons -- as a parent, some of the child safety features announced at WWDC 2026 are among my favorites.
Apple focused on improving what kids can see on their devices, when they have access to certain types of content, who they talk to, and how parents can guide their children through device use. I'm particularly happy to see that Apple has finally improved the parent experience when controlling their child's access to their device, especially the ability to pause it and adjust screen time.
One of the most helpful updates coming to iOS 27 is a redesigned screen time experience for parents. Instead of having to dig through your child's settings to control their downtime, you'll find shortcuts for quick controls right when you access screen time along the top of your screen.
These controls will include buttons to quickly pause device usage, allow unlimited use, or enable a schedule. The screen time controls are similar to Amazon Kids' parental controls, which let you easily pause and resume your kids' tablets.
Letting a nine-year-old browse the internet is a daunting task for a parent. Turning on "safe browsing" features sounds reassuring, but what is safe is highly subjective and changes depending on the child, their age, the time, and the parent. Parental controls already let you adjust which websites your kid can access, but with as many safe and unsafe sites as there are online, it's virtually impossible to add all the sites you consider safe for your kids.
Instead of blocking or allowing access to the entire internet, Apple now lets kids ask for permission to visit a new website, which is sent to parents via Messages. Kids with an Apple child account can already request permission to download new apps and extend their screen time for specific apps. Parents can approve or deny the request directly within the Messages app, as they can now with app approvals.