Apple releases guide to help families ‘build healthy digital habits’

Chance Miller | Sep 29 2026 - 10:31 am PT

Apple has teamed up with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to launch a new guide to “help families create healthy digital habits.”

The new guide follows Apple’s launch of a range of new child safety features in iOS 27.

Apple says this new guide is meant to help families balance screen time with sleep, exercise, schoolwork, and socialization.

The guide includes a six-step breakdown for families, per Apple:

Start a conversation about screen time, with tips for parents to approach the topic and establish expectations in a way that helps kids feel included in the plan.
Create a Child Account, which enables age-based safeguards and gives parents access to parental controls to manage their child’s experience.
Set safety settings for websites and apps, including Ask to Buy and Ask to Browse, so families can review new apps and websites together.
Make a schedule for device use, using Time Allowances and Schedules to balance time online with sleep, schoolwork, physical activity, and time with family and friends.
Manage communications, with parents deciding who their child can communicate with and Communication Safety, on by default for all users under 18, helping protect kids from viewing or sharing sensitive content.
Continue the conversation as kids grow, with guidance on adjusting the family’s plan over time.

You can find the new guide, “Building Healthy Digital Habits: A Guide for Families,” on Apple’s website.