Apple launches guide to help families balance use

Apple releases a guide to help families balance device use with healthy activities. The material includes six steps for building healthy digital habits. Available in recent versions of iOS, iPadOS and macOS.

The features are available in recent versions of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 and other operating systems. The guide was released on September 29, 2026, with a focus on children and teenagers. It includes steps such as talking about screen time, creating a child account, defining safety settings and setting usage schedules.

Apple and the AAP worked together to develop the material, which is based on guidance from the medical field. The guide does not set a fixed amount of screen time, but takes into account factors such as the child's age and routine. It also includes guidance on usage limits and on how to use features of Apple devices to promote healthier habits. The guide is available on Apple's website and in Brazil, according to reports published by specialized Portuguese-language outlets.

Technology is constantly evolving, and recent advances have significantly impacted people's lives. With increased connectivity and greater availability of information, access to educational and scientific content has become easier. But it is important to remember that the quality of information is also essential. The reliability of data and the accuracy of sources must always be verified before they are shared or used in research. Responsibility with information is one of the pillars of contemporary digital society.

Apple had already introduced updates to app tracking tools in the EU, but this is the first time it has partnered with a medical institution to address the topic more comprehensively. The guide is on Apple's website and is free, but requires devices running recent versions of the company's operating systems. Apple has also already launched new products such as the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch and AirPods 5, but this is a different approach, focused on education and digital health.

The guide from Apple and the American Academy of Pediatrics replaces rigid rules with an adaptive model that measures device use based on age and routine. Combining the AAP's recommendations with parental control tools allows operating systems to adjust limits dynamically, instead of imposing fixed rules. This means safety settings can change according to the child's age or the time of day, making control more flexible and effective.

With information from canaltech.com.br, iphone-ticker.de and appleinsider.com.