Apple requires parental approval for kids texting new numbers

Source: Apple

Parents using Apple devices will have greater control over who their children can talk to on their devices. One of the new updates to its child safety features requires kids to ask their parents for approval before texting new numbers. Parents will get the request through their Messages app.

Additionally, Apple is rolling out PermissionKit to enable developers to create a similar feature in their app that will allow kids to "send requests to their parents to chat, follow, or friend users."

Apple is also expanding the age range for automatic protections, including web content filters and app restrictions. Instead of just working for kids under 13, there will be "similar age-appropriate protections" for those between 13 and 17 years old.

Aside from that, the company's Communication Safety tool is rolling out an update that "intervenes" when it detects nudity in FaceTime calls. Plus, any nude photos in shared albums in the Photos app will also be blurred.

The App Store age ratings will also be more granular, adding categories such as 13+, 16+, and 18+. Parents can also disclose their child's age range with apps without revealing their specific birth date. From the developers' side, they can request age range information using a new Declared Age Range API.

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