Communication Safety is an Apple feature for children's devices. It uses on-device machine learning to detect photos and videos that may contain nudity or gore and violence, blurs them, and shows the child a warning with ways to get help. Apple says it does not receive an indication that anything was flagged.
What it covers
Apple's support page says the feature works in places such as Messages, AirDrop and FaceTime video messages. Detection happens on the device. Apple states that it never sees the photos and does not learn when content is flagged.
What the child sees
When something is flagged, the child sees a blurred image and a warning. Apple lists options to message a trusted adult, leave the conversation, block the contact or read online safety resources. Children under 13 need a parent's Screen Time passcode to view the sensitive content.
For parents this is useful in one specific scenario: a stranger sends an unwanted image or asks for one. The pause and the prompts give the child a moment to step back.
Requirements and defaults
Apple says you need a Child Account, Family Sharing and up-to-date software. The page also says it is on by default for children under 18 on most devices. You can turn it on or off in Screen Time settings. Because defaults and software requirements change between releases, check Apple's page for your device.
What it does not do
- It does not tell you when your child gets a flagged image. Apple says it does not receive a signal when content is flagged. Check Apple's page for what a parent is or is not told, and do not treat the feature as a replacement for a conversation.
- It is not a general content filter for websites. For that, see the Screen Time web controls in the setup checklist.
- It covers the apps and places Apple lists. Do not assume it covers every chat app your child uses.
For adults too
Apple has a separate Sensitive Content Warning for adults' own devices. It blurs flagged images until you choose to view them, and it offers a way to report nudity in an iMessage or FaceTime video message to Apple, which may forward reports to authorities.
Pair it with a plan
Tell your child what the blur means and what to do: do not reply, show a trusted adult, block the sender. If a teen is being pressured for images, use these first steps.
Quick check
Does Apple see my child's photos when this is on?
Apple says the analysis happens on the device and it does not receive an indication that sensitive content was detected.
Can a child under 13 just tap past the warning?
Apple says children under 13 need a parent's Screen Time passcode to view sensitive content.
Sources
Last reviewed: 19 October 2026.
