The new iOS 27 child safety features I'm most excited about as a parent

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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.

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Here are the best iOS 27 child safety features that Apple announced today:

1. Shortcuts for screen time control

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.

Also: Apple just announced iOS 27, and here's which iPhones support it

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.

2. Approve websites as needed

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.

3. Violence and gore content

Apple recently added a feature that blurs potentially sensitive content and warns the user before allowing them to view it. The feature also gives the user the option to contact a parent before viewing it. This feature is meant to flag nudity, and Apple is expanding it to potentially violent and gory content.

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If a kid receives or attempts to send a photo or video that may contain violent content, the device will warn them and blur the image, even on FaceTime calls.

Apple also upgraded the way parents can set time allowances, letting them easily adjust time limits for entertainment, games, and social media. You can customize this to your kids' needs throughout the day and week by choosing which apps are available to them and when.

WWDC 2026 culminated in new Apple Intelligence features, including a smarter Siri and improved image-generation capabilities, coming to iOS 27, iPadOS 27, WatchOS 27, tvOS 27, VisionOS 27, and MacOS 27 Golden Gate.