Apple and the American Academy of Pediatrics release a 6-step guide to help families build healthy digital habits

Apple has partnered with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to publish a new guide that helps families build healthy digital habits, balancing screen time with sleep, exercise, learning and time with friends and family. The AAP's expert advice is designed to fit Apple's new parental control features, in "Building Healthy Digital Habits: A Guide for Families".

"Every family approaches and manages technology in its own way," said Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple's vice president of Health and Fitness. She said Apple wanted to combine the AAP's trusted guidance with the tools built into its devices, so that parents have a good starting point and can adapt to each child's age as they grow.

Six steps for families

1. Start a conversation about screen time, with tips for talking and agreeing on rules together so children feel part of the plan. 2. Create a child account, which automatically turns on age-appropriate protections and gives parents access to supervision features. 3. Set safety settings for websites and apps, including Ask to Buy and ask to view, so families can review new apps and sites together. 4. Set device schedules using Downtime and schedules, balancing online time with sleep, learning, physical activity and time with family and friends. 5. Manage communication, letting parents choose who children can talk to, with Communication Safety, on by default for all users under 18, helping prevent children from seeing or sharing inappropriate content. 6. Keep talking as children grow, with advice on adjusting the family plan over time.

The guide also includes detailed AAP screen time recommendations by age group, from infancy to the teenage years. Mark Del Monte, AAP's chief executive, said the organization was proud to work with Apple to expand access to the Family Media Plan.

Availability

The new features are available now with Screen Time updates in iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27. All devices in a Family Sharing group must be updated to iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 and watchOS 27 to use the Screen Time updates. Some features may not be available in every region, language or model.

Source: Apple Newsroom (Thailand)