A study revealed that over 200 apps on Apple App Store designed for children as young as four years old contain harmful content.
The study reviewed 800 apps across categories rated 4+, 9+, and 12+ on the App Store.
Among the most concerning findings were 25 chat apps that allow children to interact with strangers.
In today’s digital age, apps are a big part of children’s lives, offering entertainment, education, and social interaction. Parents often turn to platforms like Apple’s App Store, trusting it to provide safe and age-appropriate content. However, a new study has revealed alarming issues that could put young users at risk, challenging Apple’s reputation as a family-friendly platform.
A study by Heat Initiative and ParentsTogether Action revealed that over 200 apps designed for children as young as four years old contain harmful content. From chatting with strangers to promoting extreme dieting and violent games, these apps seem far from safe for young users. Shockingly, the study found these problematic apps have been downloaded more than 550 million times, casting doubt on Apple’s claim of being a “trusted place” for families.
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Apps rated safe, but are they?
The study reviewed 800 apps across categories rated 4+, 9+, and 12+ on the App Store. Among the most concerning findings were 25 chat apps that allow children to interact with strangers. Some dieting apps promoted extreme measures, while certain games encouraged risky behaviours, including soliciting inappropriate images.
What’s even more alarming is that many of these apps bypass school and home internet filters, leaving children exposed to unfiltered content. Despite these risks, the rating system deemed them safe for kids as young as four, raising questions about the effectiveness of its safety standards.
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Need for stricter measures
The report urges Apple to take immediate action, including independent third-party reviews of apps, stricter enforcement of age ratings, and improved parental control features. While Apple does offer tools like Screen Time and manually reviews apps, the company admits that no system is foolproof.
Experts emphasise the importance of parental involvement, urging parents to test apps themselves and closely monitor their children’s usage.
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Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile
