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Apple Families Page

A New Apple Families Page Arrives Ahead of New Parental Controls

Apple's Software
March 15, 2018

A new Apple Families page has popped up online.

Back in January, Apple promised to begin offering more advanced parenting controls on its devices later this year. Before this, the company has now introduced a new Families page that highlights the controls already in place.

At launch, the new page features information on the iOS Ask to Buy feature, plus how-tos on managing in-app purchases, restricting browsing to only pre-approved websites, and more. Additionally, there’s a section on setting up the company’s Find My Friend tool.

As a parent, I’m thrilled Apple has taken the time to create this new Families webpage. Still, without also announcing new tools, it seems like a defensive move, at best.

Early this year, two Apple investors, Jana Partners LLC and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, both criticised the company over parent controls. Each urged the company to develop new software tools to help parents control and limit phone use. Additionally, they asked the company to assist in studying the impact of overuse of smartphones on mental health.

Apple is likely to announce parental controls improvements during its “iOS 12” presentation at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which kicks off on June 4.

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