Apple has announced a suite of child safety features for iOS 27, expanding parental controls and communication safety tools across its devices. The updates, which will roll out in the coming months, focus on giving parents more granular control over how children use iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices while introducing new safeguards for minors in digital communication.
Enhanced Communication Safety
The centrepiece of the update is an expanded Communication Safety feature, which Apple first introduced in 2021. The tool will now detect potentially sensitive images in Messages, AirDrop, FaceTime video messages, and third-party apps that use the system photo picker.
When a child under 18 receives or attempts to send an image flagged as potentially sensitive, the device will blur the content and display a warning. The child will then have the option to view helpful resources or notify a trusted adult. Unlike earlier versions, the feature no longer automatically alerts parents when a child views the blurred image.
Apple emphasised that all detection happens on-device using machine learning. No images are sent to Apple or shared with third parties, the company said.
Parental Control Upgrades
Apple is also expanding Screen Time, its parental control suite, with new restrictions on app usage, communication limits, and website filtering.
Parents will be able to set age-appropriate content restrictions more precisely, including controls over which contacts a child can communicate with during specific hours. The update also introduces daily time limits for app categories, with customisable exceptions for educational or productivity apps.
Additionally, parents will receive more detailed weekly reports on their child’s device usage, including app-by-app breakdowns and alerts when a child requests more time on a restricted app.
Privacy and Criticism
Apple has faced sustained criticism over its approach to child safety since it first announced plans in 2021 to scan iCloud Photos for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Privacy advocates warned the technology could be repurposed for mass surveillance.
Apple indefinitely delayed that feature following backlash. The company said the new iOS 27 updates do not include CSAM scanning in iCloud and remain focused on on-device detection and parental tools.
Privacy groups have cautiously welcomed the latest updates but continue to scrutinise how the technology might evolve.
Global Rollout
The features will be available globally where iOS 27 is supported, though some tools may vary by region due to local regulations. Apple has not disclosed a specific release date but indicated the update will arrive before the end of 2025.
The announcement comes as governments worldwide intensify pressure on tech companies to do more to protect children online. The European Union’s Digital Services Act and the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act both impose new obligations on platforms to prevent harm to minors.
Apple said it is working with child safety organisations and regulators to ensure the features meet emerging legal standards while preserving user privacy.