Apple has announced a range of new initiatives designed to help parents and developers create a safer experience for kids and teens using Apple devices. The updates, set to roll out later this year, aim to provide a more granular understanding of an app's appropriateness for a given age range and give parents more control over their child's online experience.

The changes come amid ongoing legislative disputes at the state and federal levels over how tech companies should be protecting children online. Nine U.S. states have recently proposed bills that would require app store operators like Apple to check kids' ages in order to get parental consent before minors can download apps. Apple's new solution is seen as a compromise, putting the onus on parents to input their child's age range, which can then be accessed by app developers to provide age-appropriate content.

One of the key features of the new system is an easier setup process for child accounts. Parents can now select their child's age range, and Apple will automatically apply age-appropriate web content filters. Kids will also be able to set up their devices on their own, with Apple applying default restrictions until the parent completes the setup process. When the child's setup is completed, kids will be able to use the App Store and other Apple services under the protection of the content and app restrictions chosen by their parent.

A new age range API will also be available to developers, allowing them to access the age range information input by parents during child account setup. This will enable developers to customize their app experiences appropriately for different age ranges. Parents can revoke this permission at any time, and developers will not have access to the child's birthdate.

The App Store will also introduce a new set of age ratings, breaking down teenagers' ages into more granular ranges of 13+, 16+, and 18+, while still retaining the 4+ and 9+ ranges. This will help parents better determine if an app their child requests is age-appropriate. Additionally, Apple's App Store won't feature restricted apps in areas like the editorial stories, Today, Games, and Apps tabs, when they aren't age-appropriate for the child.

Product pages for third-party apps on the App Store will also be updated to include additional information that can help guide parents' decisions, such as whether an app features user-generated content or ads, or if the app offers its own parental controls. This will provide parents with more information to make informed decisions about which apps are suitable for their child.

The changes are a significant step forward in Apple's efforts to create a safer online environment for kids and teens. By providing parents with more control and transparency, and developers with the tools to create age-appropriate experiences, Apple is helping to address the ongoing concerns around child safety online.

Several of the changes for child accounts are already available in the public beta of iOS 18.4, with the remaining updates set to roll out later this year. As the tech industry continues to grapple with the challenges of protecting children online, Apple's new initiatives are a welcome step in the right direction.