How can I set up my child’s device for safer use?

The first step is to create a Child Account with Family Sharing, which is available for children under 18. Child Accounts enable safeguards across the system based on a child’s age. A Child Account also provides parents with powerful controls that help manage what content a child can see, who they can talk to, when they have access to apps, and more. Learn how to create a Child Account Go to Family in Settings

Where do I manage parental controls after I’ve set up a Child Account?

Open Settings or System Settings. Then under Family, tap your child’s name. You’ll see parental controls there.

How can I switch my child to a Child Account if they’re using a device that was set up for someone else?

If your child is using a device that is signed into someone else’s Apple Account, they may not have access to the same age-based safeguards and parental controls designed to help them stay safe, and may be able to access content that’s not appropriate for them. To switch them to a Child Account, open Settings or System Settings, then sign out of the Apple Account on the child’s device. Tap the name associated with the account. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap Sign Out. Once you’ve signed out, you’ll be able to sign back in using your child’s account. Learn how to create a Child Account

What if my child’s Apple Account doesn’t reflect their current age?

If the birthday associated with your child’s account is incorrect, some age-based safeguards may not be enabled, and parents may not be able to use the full set of child safety features Apple provides. To update your child’s birthday, use Settings or System Settings on a device with their account signed in, or sign in with their account on account.apple.com . Learn more about how to update your child’s birthday

How do I help my child stay safe if they have an Apple device but I don’t?

You can still create a Child Account directly on your child’s device. This enables age-based safeguards and allows you to set up parental controls, including Screen Time. We also recommend setting up a Screen Time passcode that your child does not know. This is designed to help prevent children from changing these settings.

What does setting up Family Sharing provide aside from parental controls?

With Family Sharing, you and up to five family members can share access to Apple services like iCloud+, Apple Music, Apple TV, and more — without sharing an Apple Account. You can even help locate each other’s missing devices, share your location, and manage a child’s device with Screen Time and parental controls. To do this, open Settings, tap your name, then tap Family, and follow the onscreen prompts to invite family members or create a new Child Account. Go to Family in Settings

Child Safety

Committed to building a safe and trusted platform for kids.

A child uses an iMac at home with adult supervision.

Features that are easy
and intuitive to use.

A Child Account enables safeguards based on a child’s age and provides access to powerful parental controls.
Screen Time shows parents how a child has been using their device — and now provides controls to quickly adjust access.

Coming this fall
We provide parents with guidance when setting time allowances shaped by expert health research.

Coming this fall
Privacy and security are built in from the beginning to help keep children safe.
If a child isn’t ready for an iPhone, Apple Watch For Your Kids gives them independence and parents peace of mind.

Three overlapping circles with Memojis, each representing a unique Child Account.

Child Accounts

Protections built in from the beginning.

The first and most important step for a parent or guardian is to set up a Child Account¹ with Family Sharing. A Child Account is required for children under 13 — and available for children up to 18. It enables age-based safeguards designed to help keep children safe and gives parents access to controls they can use to manage their child’s experience. And it’s easy to set up.

iPhone displaying the Family interface with multiple family member accounts, from children to adults.

Open Settings, tap your name, and then tap Family.
Tap the Add Member button.
Tap Create Child Account and follow the onscreen prompts.
Sign in to the Child Account on the child‘s device.

For more information, visit Apple Support.

Parental Controls

Start focused. Add over time.

When setting up a personal device for a child, parents can provide access to only the content they’re comfortable with. Then gradually, when a child is ready, they can choose to add more.

Set a foundation.

In Setup Assistant, parents can choose exactly which system apps to allow. They can select a few essential apps, a recommended set, or the specific ones they want.

Coming to: iPhone, iPad
Allow new apps.

With Ask to Buy, children need to ask permission to download or purchase an app or make in-app purchases. Parents will receive the request in Messages and can decide — with helpful context — if it’s the right app or purchase for their child.²
Approve new websites.

Ask to Browse requires children to ask when they want to view a new website using Safari. Parents can take a closer look at the request in Messages before approving.³

Coming to: iPhone, iPad, Mac
Manage contacts.

As children grow, they want to connect with new people. Children must ask for permission before adding new contacts, and parents can review and approve each request⁴ before children can communicate with them through Phone, FaceTime, and Messages.

Screen Time

Tools to manage when they get access.

We provide parents with features and guidance — shaped by expert health research — to help children develop healthy digital habits.

Determine screen time.

Time Allowances give parents more flexible ways to manage the time their children spend in apps across categories, including entertainment, games, and social media. Parents can choose a daily total time that applies across app categories — and also make adjustments to time spent in any particular category.

Coming to: iPhone, iPad, Mac
Start off with guidance.

We provide parents with guidance when setting time allowances that is based on a child’s age and shaped by clinical and child development research. Parents can always adjust these settings based on what’s best for their child.

Coming to: iPhone, iPad, Mac
Create flexible schedules.

School days, weekends, and homework time aren’t the same, so parents can now set a schedule and choose which apps are available to their child at different times of day.

Coming to: iPhone, iPad, Mac
Easily make adjustments.

Parents can pause access to devices during meals and other times that deserve full attention. And when a child needs a little extra time to finish something, parents can open up access to apps just as easily without dropping any protections.

Coming to: iPhone, iPad, Mac
Give them more time.

When children reach the end of their time allowance, they’ll get a notification and can ask parents for more time to quickly wrap a conversation or finish an activity.

Apps

Loved by kids. Trusted by parents.

The App Store is designed to be a safe and trusted place for children to discover and download new apps.

Explore with confidence.

We review each App Store app to check that it does what it says and meets our high standards for privacy, security, and content. Every app has an age rating that helps parents decide whether it’s appropriate for their child.
Made for Kids.

This section on the App Store is a curated place to find apps designed for children 11 and under.
Customize for their age.

Parents can share the age range of their child with apps in a privacy-protective way. Apps can use this information to tailor age-appropriate experiences for children. Parents can choose how the age range is shared — and change their preference anytime.

Communication and Safety

Safe ways to stay connected.

We create tools that help children keep in touch with friends and family while giving parents ways to help protect them.

Know where they are.

With Find My, children can share their location with parents. Even if a child doesn’t have an iPhone, it works with Apple Watch.
Get location-based alerts.

Parents can know where their child is with automatic notifications that alert them when a child arrives at or leaves a particular place, like school. Parents can also create custom alerts for specific locations.
Help them communicate safely.

Communication Safety helps protect children from viewing or sharing detected nudity in Messages, FaceTime, and more. It now also intervenes when it detects gore or violence in shared images and videos.

Coming to: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch

Questions? Answers.

The first step is to create a Child Account with Family Sharing, which is available for children under 18.

Child Accounts enable safeguards across the system based on a child’s age. A Child Account also provides parents with powerful controls that help manage what content a child can see, who they can talk to, when they have access to apps, and more.
Learn how to create a Child Account Go to Family in Settings
Open Settings or System Settings. Then under Family, tap your child’s name. You’ll see parental controls there.
If your child is using a device that is signed into someone else’s Apple Account, they may not have access to the same age-based safeguards and parental controls designed to help them stay safe, and may be able to access content that’s not appropriate for them.

To switch them to a Child Account, open Settings or System Settings, then sign out of the Apple Account on the child’s device. Tap the name associated with the account. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap Sign Out.

Once you’ve signed out, you’ll be able to sign back in using your child’s account.
Learn how to create a Child Account
If the birthday associated with your child’s account is incorrect, some age-based safeguards may not be enabled, and parents may not be able to use the full set of child safety features Apple provides.

To update your child’s birthday, use Settings or System Settings on a device with their account signed in, or sign in with their account on account.apple.com.
Learn more about how to update your child’s birthday
You can still create a Child Account directly on your child’s device. This enables age-based safeguards and allows you to set up parental controls, including Screen Time. We also recommend setting up a Screen Time passcode that your child does not know. This is designed to help prevent children from changing these settings.
With Family Sharing, you and up to five family members can share access to Apple services like iCloud+, Apple Music, Apple TV, and more — without sharing an Apple Account. You can even help locate each other’s missing devices, share your location, and manage a child’s device with Screen Time and parental controls.

To do this, open Settings, tap your name, then tap Family, and follow the onscreen prompts to invite family members or create a new Child Account.
Go to Family in Settings

Child Safety

Committed to building a safe and trusted platform for kids.

Set a foundation.

Allow new apps.

Approve new websites.

Manage contacts.

Determine screen time.

Start off with guidance.

Create flexible schedules.

Easily make adjustments.

Give them more time.

Explore with confidence.

Made for Kids.

Customize for their age.

Know where they are.

Get location-based alerts.

Help them communicate safely.