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Apple Introduces New Child Safety Features; Research Indicates Low Parental Control Adoption

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Apple Unveils New Child Safety Controls Amid Social Media Debate

New Parental Controls from Apple

Apple has announced a new set of child safety controls for its devices, coinciding with ongoing discussions about social media regulations. The features, unveiled at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino, California, include:

  • A child account function allowing parents to set "Ask to Browse" prompts, time allowances, and screen time settings
  • Messaging applications that will now blur graphic images by default and notify parents
  • A dedicated website offering resources on child safety features

"The tools are designed to allow parents to tailor their kids' digital journey."
— Sumbul Desai, Apple Vice-President

Political and Expert Reactions

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Apple CEO Tim Cook informed him the changes were partly inspired by Australia's social media age ban for under-16s. Albanese welcomed the announcement, describing the Australian legislation as "world-leading."

Professor Lisa Given from RMIT University commented that the changes shift the responsibility for online safety to parents and require active setup, which may be burdensome.

Context: Australia's Social Media Age Ban

Australia's social media ban, which took effect on December 10, prohibits children under 16 from creating accounts on several platforms. In June 2024, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant indicated that a joint parliamentary committee had explored options for holding phone manufacturers accountable regarding age restrictions.

Data on Parental Control Usage

Research indicates a notable gap between the availability of parental controls and their use by parents.

  • A 2025 study commissioned by Snapchat found that 57% of Australian parents do not use in-app or online parental controls
  • The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) reported that only 51% of US parents use parental controls on tablets, and 47% use them on smartphones. Adoption rates are lower for PCs, TVs, and video game consoles
  • The eSafety Commissioner's 2022 "Mind the Gap" report found that while 59% of parents set rules for children's online access, only 43% utilize parental controls for content filtering

Factors Contributing to Low Adoption

Dr. Joanne Orlando, a researcher in digital wellbeing, attributes the low usage to parents perceiving the setup process as overly difficult or time-consuming. She notes that many parents believe it would take hours to understand the controls.

Industry Efforts and Educational Value

Some technology companies are working to simplify the implementation of child-friendly settings. Apple prompts users for age ranges during device setup to automatically apply protections, and Google provides similar safeguards for child accounts on Android devices.

Experts emphasize that parental controls can serve as a platform to educate children about online safety. Dr. Orlando suggests that explaining the reasons behind limitations helps children understand digital risks, rather than simply imposing restrictions.

Supporting Parents in Digital Safety

Dr. Orlando advises that regular conversations with children about their online experiences and potential dangers, alongside consulting resources from organizations like the eSafety Commissioner, are effective strategies. She highlights that continuous learning and communication are important aspects of managing children's digital safety.