Apple releases the latest beta version of iOS 15.2: new child communication safety features added!

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Earlier today, Apple released the second beta of iOS/iPad OS 15.2 (build number: 19C5036e), which adds protection for children.

This summer, Apple announced a new "Kids Safety" feature with the goal of making children safer when online. Apple today released the second beta of iOS 15.2, adding new communication safety features in Messages.

Communications Safety is a Family Sharing feature that can be turned on by parents, who can choose to turn it on instead of being activated by default.

Once turned on, the Messages app will detect nudity in images sent or received by children. If a child receives or attempts to send a photo with nudity, the image will be blurred and the child will be warned about the content, told not to view the photo, and provided with resources to contact someone they trust for help.

When Messages Safety was first announced, Apple said parents of children under 13 could opt in to be notified if their child viewed nude images in Messages, but after receiving feedback, Apple has removed that feature. Apple now says it will not send notifications to parents.

Apple removed the notification option because it was determined that parental notifications could put children at risk in situations of parental violence or abuse. For all children, including those under 13, Apple will instead provide guidance to seek help from a trusted adult in situations involving nude photos.

In addition to communications safety, Apple plans to add resources to Siri and Search later this year to help children and parents avoid unsafe situations online.