Apple Asks Developers to Choose New Age Categories for Kids Apps Ahead of iOS 7 Launch

Apple today sent an email to registered developers asking them to choose a new age range for apps directed at children as part of a new Kids category that the company plans to introduce to the App Store with iOS 7. Available age ranges are 5 and under, 6–8, and 9–11, with each app only able to be assigned to a single category at a time.

At WWDC, we announced a new Kids category for the App Store in iOS 7. The new category provides parents with a place on the App Store to find age-appropriate apps for their children. If your app is made specifically for children aged 11 or under, you can now choose an age range for your app on the iTunes Connect website. The following age ranges are available:

- Ages 5 & under
- Ages 6–8
- Ages 9–11

You can only choose one age range for each app. Apps approved for the Kids category will still have a primary and secondary category, but will also appear in a new, separate area of the App Store. To assign the Kids category to an already existing app, submit a new version of your app for review. Starting this fall, the currently existing Kids subcategory for game apps will no longer be displayed on the App Store.

Earlier this week, Apple updated its App Store Review Guidelines with an entirely new section regarding apps for children. Under the terms of the new rules, kids apps must include a privacy policy, may not include behavioral advertising (ads based on in-app activity, for example) and must ask for parental permission before before allowing children to access links to outside content or make in-app purchases.

iOS 7, with the new Kids Category, is expected to be released in the fall with an announcement coming as early as September 10.