Apple, Protecting Kids Should be the Easiest Thing to do on an iPhone
The Opportunity: Recently, Apple announced new features aimed at curbing the spread of child sexual abuse material. We applaud these efforts! We are now calling on Apple to implement ten critical changes that could further improve child safety on iOS devices. It's time to #default2safety on all iOS devices.
Apple, the Solutions Aren't Difficult
Apple, you have so much potential to protect millions of children with a few simple updates. Your talented software engineers could solve issues with your current parental controls within weeks.
1. Age-Based Defaults: Automatically engage age-based safety defaults during device setup based on the birthday given for the Apple ID.
2. Control iMessages: Give parents the option to control iMessage deletion while their young children are learning to use technology responsibly.
3. Fix App Ratings: Create an accurate, accountable app rating system. This must also include strict requirements to prevent sexualized ads in 4+ and 9+ apps.
4. Close Loopholes: Multiple articles that have been written about the many ways that kids can easily circumvent Apple’s current parental controls. This is unacceptable.
5. Expand Downtime: Provide multiple options during the day, including easy school and bedtime settings with default access to emergency contacts, music, and the calculator.
6. Enforce App Store Rules: Twitter and Reddit break Apple's own rules with violent and pornographic content. These platforms are explicit, yet their user agreements allow children ages 13+ to join.
7. Clean up Apple Music: Block sexualized album covers and explicit song clips when Apple Music is set to “clean.” Apple Music should have options that reflect its 4+ App Store rating.
8. Set Restricted Mode: Provide a toggle that enforces YouTube Restricted Mode across the entire device.
9. Expand Use of A.I.: Extend the recently announced use of A.I. to prevent the sending/receiving of nude photos to children under 16 (not 13).
10. Review Top Social Apps: Hold top social media apps to a high standard for privacy, content moderation, and parental controls given their significant impact on children.
1. Age-Based Defaults: Automatically engage age-based safety defaults during device setup based on the birthday given for the Apple ID.
2. Control iMessages: Give parents the option to control iMessage deletion while their young children are learning to use technology responsibly.
3. Fix App Ratings: Create an accurate, accountable app rating system. This must also include strict requirements to prevent sexualized ads in 4+ and 9+ apps.
4. Close Loopholes: Multiple articles that have been written about the many ways that kids can easily circumvent Apple’s current parental controls. This is unacceptable.
5. Expand Downtime: Provide multiple options during the day, including easy school and bedtime settings with default access to emergency contacts, music, and the calculator.
6. Enforce App Store Rules: Twitter and Reddit break Apple's own rules with violent and pornographic content. These platforms are explicit, yet their user agreements allow children ages 13+ to join.
7. Clean up Apple Music: Block sexualized album covers and explicit song clips when Apple Music is set to “clean.” Apple Music should have options that reflect its 4+ App Store rating.
8. Set Restricted Mode: Provide a toggle that enforces YouTube Restricted Mode across the entire device.
9. Expand Use of A.I.: Extend the recently announced use of A.I. to prevent the sending/receiving of nude photos to children under 16 (not 13).
10. Review Top Social Apps: Hold top social media apps to a high standard for privacy, content moderation, and parental controls given their significant impact on children.
"My husband is in IT and extremely good at all things computer related. However he has even struggled trying to figure out how to make our Apple devices safer for our 3 kids. We had to purchase an expensive and complicated third-party device to help us control the safety of our iPads. It’s ridiculous that Apple doesn’t do more for our kids. Thank you for the work you are doing!" - Cari
"Yes!! A thousand times, YES! I have an 11 year old, going into 6th grade. Most everyone in her class already have iPhones. I’m so nervous to get her one. I would feel so much better about getting her one if the parental controls were easy. They are ridiculous though! Anything but easy!" - Kelly
"Yes Apple, get it together!! I had to cancel Apple Music and switched to a Spotify Family account so my kids can have a kid friendly experience." - Rose
"Amen! My husband and I spent about 6 hours this weekend alone trying to set up our kids’ Apple devices to be safer. This was just one of many attempts and it is very clear a third party device is still needed to fill the gaps." - Kelly
Google is now protecting school-issued Chromebooks by default!
Apple, please #default2safety.
With Support From our Allies:
With Support From our Allies:
