Apple said it plans “more robust” parental controls, responding to a letter from two large investors urging the tech giant to do more to combat smartphone addiction among children.
Two of the largest investors, collectively controlling $2bn (£1.48bn) in Apple stock, called out the Facebook and other social media firms on Monday for not doing enough to help mitigate the growing concerns around the negative effects of smartphones and social media on the young.
In response the firm says that it “leads the industry” on parental controls. A spokesperson said:
“Apple has always looked out for kids, and we work hard to create powerful products that inspire, entertain, and educate children while also helping parents protect them online.”
The firm said that it introduced parental controls to the i Phone in 2008, which now include content and app restrictions, data access, privacy settings and password requirements.
“We have new features and enhancements planned for the future, to add functionality and make these tools even more robust,” Apple added.
The investors call is the latest in a series of Silicon Valley insiders voicing concerns over the long-term impact of technology on children. Smartphone addiction is one element, another element is social media use.
Apple did not promise to establish an expert committee on child development, as urged, nor to produce annual reports on progress or to open up its data for researchers on the issue.
But the firm said: “We think deeply about how our products are used and the impact they have on users and the people around them. We take this responsibility very seriously and we are committed to meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations, especially when it comes to protecting kids.”
> Shiuly Akter
