a tech firm Apple is rolling out a communication safety feature that alerts kids if they receive or attempt to send pornographic photos around the world. This feature serves as a valuable resource for them. In fact, if an image your child has received or sent contains obscenity, the feature not only blurs it out but also displays a warning that the image may be sensitive, prompting them to seek help. Methods are also provided.
These countries will be able to use this safety feature.
The feature, which first debuted in the United States last year, is now available for users in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia in the Messages app on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
There are numerous options for obtaining assistance.
Messages provides a variety of options for the child to seek help, such as leaving conversations, blocking contacts, leaving group messages, and accessing online safety resources, as well as assuring the child that it’s fine if they don’t want to see the photo or continue the conversation. Included are the words “wanted” and “included.”
As an added precaution, the child can text an adult if they believe the photo is genuine. If the child is under the age of 13, the message encourages the child to talk to their parent or guardian.
In the Screen Time Settings, turn on Communication Safety:
Communication Safety can be enabled at any time in your child’s account’s Screen Time settings. Go to Settings > Screen Time on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then Screen Time on a Mac. (If you haven’t done so already, use the parental controls to enable Screen Time.)
- Select a child from your family group by tapping on their name.
Then tap Continue after selecting Communication Safety.
- Enable the sensitive photo check. You may need to enter the device’s Screen Time passcode.
If the child chooses to view or send a photo, messages confirm that they are certain they want to do so and offer alternatives, reassuring the child that it is fine not to participate and that more help is available.
According to The Verge, Apple is also expanding the rollout of a new feature that will point users to safety resources when they search for topics related to child sexual abuse in Spotlight, Siri, and Safari Search.
