Apple's updates to App Store Connect now include specific questions regarding social media functionalities in applications. This adjustment aligns with the ongoing commitment to child safety as announced during WWDC26.
Applications that allow users to redistribute, amplify, or interact with user-generated content will now be placed in the new Time Allowance category for Social Media. Consequently, these apps will automatically receive an age rating of 13+ regardless of their primary classification.
Developers will have access to the new questionnaire immediately, but will need to comply starting in September 2026 when submitting new apps, updates, or third-party notarization requests to the App Store. This timeline allows developers to prepare for the upcoming changes.
The Time Allowances feature aims to give parents more control over their children's app usage across various categories including Social Media. By clearly categorizing apps with social media capabilities, Apple enhances parental oversight in app usage, especially for underage users.
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Apple introduced new age rating questions in App Store Connect specifically for apps with social media capabilities. This change affects how apps are categorized in the upcoming Time Allowances feature aimed at child safety and parental controls.