Apple is redesigning Screen Time and overhauling child controls

At WWDC 2026, Apple announced an overhaul to its Screen Time parental control features that aim to improve its safeguarding features to protect children who use iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. Some of the new features coming with Apple’s iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 updates include giving parents and guardians more control over who their kids can talk to in Messages, and what content or apps they can access, alongside recommendations for essential apps and time allowances in Screen Time.

The guidelines that Apple is following for these features are based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, with Apple saying that experts have warned that children under 13 shouldn’t have access to social media apps. “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,” Apple software engineering chief, Craig Federighi, said during the keynote.

While parents could already set time limits on apps, the new Screen Time redesign provides suggested time allowances that are specific to app categories, including Entertainment, Games, and Social Media, based on expert recommendations. Apple says these recommendations serve as “a helpful starting point for parents” to determine what time allowances are best for their child, and can be adjusted as needed.