Apple Introduces New Child Safety Features to Limit App Access for Kids

In a significant move to enhance child safety online, Apple announced on February 27, 2025, a series of new features aimed at giving parents more control over their kids’ app usage. The announcement, detailed in a whitepaper, includes tools for sharing age ranges with apps, updating the App Store’s age ratings system, and simplifying the setup process for Child Accounts. This initiative comes as tech giants like Meta, Snap, and X (formerly Twitter) push for age verification at the operating system or app store level, highlighting the growing focus on protecting younger users in the digital space.

One of the standout features is the ability for parents to share their kids’ age ranges with apps. This doesn’t mean sharing exact birthdates—Apple has emphasized privacy by allowing parents to disable this feature if they choose. Developers can request age ranges through a new API designed to minimize data collection, ensuring that kids’ information remains secure.

The App Store’s age ratings system is also getting a refresh. Instead of the current four categories, apps will now be rated across five age groups: 4+, 9+, 13+, 16+, and 18+. Developers will need to clearly indicate if their apps contain user-generated content or advertising capabilities that could expose kids to inappropriate material. Apps with higher age ratings than what parents have set for their children won’t even appear in the App Store for those accounts.

Additionally, Apple is introducing a streamlined setup process for Child Accounts. Parents will now have the ability to correct the age associated with an account if it was initially set up incorrectly, making it easier to ensure that age-appropriate content is being delivered.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions across the tech industry. Meta, for instance, sees this as a positive step but believes more needs to be done. Jamie Radice, a Meta spokesperson, stated, “Parents tell us they want to have the final say over the apps their teens use.” Meta supports legislation requiring app stores to verify a child’s age and obtain parental approval before allowing app downloads.

Apple, however, has been cautious about age verification at the app marketplace level. The company argues that such measures would require users to share sensitive personal information, which could compromise privacy. “Age verification at the app marketplace level would require users to hand over sensitive personally identifying information. That’s not in the interest of user safety or privacy,” Apple stated.

This stance has put Apple at odds with some lawmakers. The company reportedly lobbied against a Louisiana bill that would have required it to enforce age restrictions, further highlighting its commitment to balancing safety with privacy.

The new features are expected to roll out later in 2025, giving parents and developers time to adapt. While this is a significant step forward, the debate over how best to protect kids online is far from over. As tech companies and lawmakers continue to grapple with these issues, Apple’s latest move underscores the importance of empowering parents while safeguarding user privacy.

For now, parents can look forward to having more tools at their disposal to ensure their kids are engaging with age-appropriate content. As the digital landscape evolves, initiatives like these remind us that protecting young users requires collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to privacy.