Apple recently updated the form that developers fill out to set age limits on their software. The new version of the age rating questionnaire specifically asks if a game or service includes social media features. This change connects directly to the upcoming parental controls that give adults more tools to manage how much screen time their kids spend across different types of content on their devices.
The new questions support upcoming parental controls for screen time
During a recent software event, Apple revealed a new tool called Time Allowances. This feature lets parents put time limits on specific software categories rather than just individual programs. To make this work properly, the company needs to know exactly which programs actually act like social networks.
A developer might list their product as a simple game, but if players can share user content through a public feed, it functions just like a social network. Now, if an app has these kinds of sharing features, the system will automatically place it in the Social Media category for screen time limits. The program will also receive a new label on its App Store page so users know what to expect before they download it.
Responses become mandatory for all software updates starting in September
The company defines a social media feature as anything that lets a person interact with or boost content created by other users in a public feed. If a developer builds these tools into their software but turns them off for anyone under thirteen, the system will not count the app as social media for those younger users.
Right now, developers can log into their dashboard and answer these new questions right away. However, the grace period ends soon. When September rolls around, anyone submitting a brand new program or updating an existing one for the iPhone will have to fill out this section of the form. This rule also applies to software submitted for alternative distribution outside the official marketplace.
Giving parents better tools to manage device usage requires accurate labels. These new checks will ensure that every single app is categorized correctly so parents know exactly what their kids are doing online.
