How Apple’s Latest Update Can Help Keep Children Safe
Apple's latest software update to iPhone/iPad, known as iOS 17, is set to be released this month (September, 2023). Software updates are usually boring, behind-the-scenes type of thing.
But this one is worth mentioning because the iOS 17 update comes with several new features that can enhance children's safety. We think that every step that tech companies do to keep children safe (especially online) is one in the right direction, so we applaud these steps. But we also think they can do a lot more, and we’ll talk about that more in a subsequent blog. In the meanwhile, here are some of the new iOS 17 advantages that parents may be interested in.
Communication Safety
Communication Safety is a feature that warns children when they may be receiving or sending nude photos. It’s designed to protect children from inappropriate content. It warns children when receiving or sending photos or videos that contain nudity in the Messages app, AirDrop content, FaceTime video messages, and Contact Posters in the Phone app. By default, the setting is turned on for children under the age of 13 who are signed in to their Apple ID and part of a Family Sharing group. But you can turn it on/off in the Settings app under Screen Time. Communication Safety uses on-device processing to detect photos and videos containing nudity. This ensures that Apple and third parties can’t access the content and that end-to-end encryption is preserved in the Messages app.
Sensitive Content Warning
This feature allows users to blur nude images on their own device. Keep in mind that this is a separate feature from the Communication Safety option mentioned above. The Sensitive Content Warning is designed for people of all ages. iOS 17 automatically blurs nude photos on kids' devices. The software screens the images on the device itself, which means that Apple doesn’t receive the data. The opt-in blurring can be applied to images in Messages, AirDrop, Contact Posters for the Phone app, FaceTime messages, and third-party apps.
Check-In Feature
Parents will love this one! It allows users to set up automatic check-ins with a designated contact to ensure their safety. Parents can use this feature to keep track of their child's whereabouts and ensure their safety.
Here’s how it works: When the user is going out, they activate Check In. It automatically notifies family members or friends when their loved one arrives at their destination. So the next time your teen leaves to go to the mall or hang with friends, Check In will automatically let you know when they’ve arrived — but it also sends more useful information: You can see if your kid is in a cell dead zone and doesn’t have service to text, or if their phone battery has died and prevents them from sending an update. And when your teen arrives at their destination, you automatically get a notification, making the “let me know when you’ve made it safely” process more stress-free for everyone.
And thanks to auto-tracking, you’ll know exactly where your person is on their route: Check In also shares the course taken during the trip, sends alerts in the event of a delay, and notifies when there’s a deviation from the route. It also notifies when the user hasn’t arrived at their final stop at all.
Safari Safe Browsing
iOS 17 also includes Safari Safe Browsing, which warns users about fraudulent websites and phishing attempts. This feature helps protect children from online scams and phishing attempts.
Overall, we’re thrilled about the new features in iOS 17 that enhance children's safety: Communication Safety and Sensitive Content Warning specifically address the issue of inappropriate content, while Safari Safe Browsing and Message Check-In provide additional layers of protection. Thanks, Apple…but a lot more can be done.
