Apple's New Parental Controls: Kids Need Permission to Text New Numbers

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Celine Low

Celine is ProductNation's content editor with a focus on tech social and industry stories. Her previous work includes lifestyle ar ...

As our children navigate an increasingly complex digital world, parents are constantly seeking new ways to ensure their safety online. Apple is stepping up to the plate, announcing significant updates to its parental control features, set to roll out this fall with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, and other OS updates. Among the most impactful changes is a new requirement: children will now need parental approval before they can text or communicate with new phone numbers.

Communication Control

Building on its existing Communication Limits — which already allow parents to manage who their child can contact via calls, FaceTime, Messages, and iCloud — Apple is now giving parents an even more direct role. When a child wants to communicate with a new, unapproved phone number, they'll first need to send a request to their parent. Parents can then conveniently approve this request with just a single tap directly within the Messages app.

These new tools aren't just about controlling new contacts; Apple has simplified the setup process for Child Accounts, ensuring that child-appropriate default settings are activated immediately when a child starts using a device, even if the parent finishes the full setup later.

Parents will also find it easier to verify and connect their child’s account to their Family group, especially for kids under 13. Once connected, these accounts will automatically apply Apple’s wide set of parental control options with age-appropriate defaults. Furthermore, parents will have granular control over whether their child's age range is shared with apps — choosing "always," "for each app request," or "never". They can always change these settings at any time, while children are, by default, prevented from altering these privacy preferences.

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Children Need Parent Approval to Text New Contacts On Apple Devices

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Celine Low

Communication Control

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Children Need Parent Approval to Text New Contacts On Apple Devices

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Celine Low chevron_right

Communication Control

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Celine Low