In iOS 15.2 update, Apple introduced the “communication safety in Messages” feature to protect young children from explicit content. As children’s online safety is becoming an area of growing concern, the new communication safety feature is a tool to protect them from predatory behavior by warning and providing helpful resources, if they receive or send photos containing nudity.
Using Messages’ on-device machine learning, the app analyzes an image (received or sent) for nudity. If an attachment contains nudity, Messages blurs the photo and provides guidance and age-appropriate resources to seek help.
However, it is an opt-in feature, parents or guardians will have to turn on communication safety for their children’s Apple ID to protect them from viewing or sharing photos that contain nudity in the Messages app. Here is how you can set up communication safety in Messages on iOS for your child’s account.
Here is how to enable Communication Safety in Messages on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
You can enable Communication Safety in Messages for child accounts signed in with their Apple ID and part of a Family Sharing group and make sure all devices are updated to the latest version.
Communication safety in Messages feature requires iOS 15.2 or later, iPadOS 15.2 or later, or macOS Monterey 12.1 or later, thus, devices compatible with the aforementioned software version offer the child safety feature. Follow the listed steps to easily turn on the child safety feature on supported devices.
- On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Screen Time. And on Mac, click on the Apple menu > System Preferences > Screen Time and use parental control to turn on the feature.
- Select the name of the child.
- Tap/click Communication Safety and then select the ‘Continue’ option.
- Then turn on the ‘Check for Sensitive Photos’ option.
After the communication safety feature is enabled for your child’s account, photos containing nudity will be blurred and a message will appear to warn the child of the sensitive content. They will also be provided ways to seek help.
Read More:
