In a groundbreaking move, tech giant Apple has announced plans to introduce a series of child safety features, including the ability for parents to share their kids’ age ranges with apps. This feature is set to be launched later this year and aims to make it easier for parents to monitor and control their children’s app usage.
The concept of verifying user ages at the operating system or app store level has been advocated by companies such as Meta, Snap, and X. However, in a whitepaper released by Apple, they argue that this method would require users to disclose sensitive personal information which goes against their commitment towards user privacy and safety.
Instead, with the new age sharing system, parents can choose whether or not to allow developers access to their child’s age range through a Child Account. This information will only be shared if approved by the parent and will not include actual birthdates. To further protect privacy, Apple has also created a new API that minimizes data collection for developers requesting this information.
While many see this as a positive step towards ensuring child-appropriate content on devices like iPhones and iPads, some believe it may not go far enough. A spokesperson from Meta expressed support for legislation requiring app stores to verify a child’s age and obtain parental approval before downloading an app.
In addition to this feature, Apple also announced updates to its App Store ratings system. The current four thresholds will expand into five categories: Age 4 plus, 9 plus , 13 plus ,16 plus ,and 18 plus . Developers will now be required to disclose if their apps contain user-generated content or advertising capabilities that could expose children to inappropriate content.
Furthermore, the App Store will no longer display apps with higher age ratings than what is set by parents in their account settings. Additionally,new measures are being implemented for Child Accounts, including a simplified setup process and the ability for parents to correct any incorrect age information.
This move by Apple has been met with mixed reactions, but it is undoubtedly a step in the right direction towards promoting child safety in the ever-evolving world of technology.