Parents' Ultimate Guide: How to Set Parent Controls on Apple ScreenTime

Apple Family Sharing allows up to six family members to share access to Apple services like iCloud, Apple Music, apps, and other features, without sharing individual Apple IDs. Everyone in the family sharing group has their own private account, preferences, and personal files. In Apple Family Sharing, parents can set parental controls through the Screen Time feature. Screen Time allows parents to manage their kids' device usage by setting time limits, restricting apps and content, and preventing purchases. Screen Time and Family Sharing can be used to set up safety features for all Apple devices, including iPads, Apple Watches, iPhones, and MacBooks. Note that not all settings are the same across these devices. There are significant issues with Apple's parental controls, like inconsistent enforcement, bugs, and glitches. Like parental control settings within other tools, they can be bypassed by kids using apps and features in creative ways.

Screen Time parental controls have their limits: While Apple's Screen Time features can be used to limit inappropriate content and restrict usage beyond just screen time, no feature fully ensures that your child is safe from risky content when using their Apple device.

Content

• Content and privacy restrictions: Parents should enable these settings to block inappropriate content when possible. (See below for instructions.)
• App Store purchases and downloads: You can use these toggles to prevent kids from downloading apps or making app purchases without you knowing.
• Age ratings for apps, movies, TV shows, books, and music: This prevents some age-rated content from appearing, such as apps and movies rated for older people, but it does not consistently shield all age-inappropriate content.
• Web content filtering: Can be set to prevent kids from visiting explicit or adult websites. You can also have "never allow" lists of specific sites, and you can block private web browsing.
• Game Center restrictions: You can enable them to limit multiplayer gaming and potential interactions with strangers.
• Siri restrictions: Set this control to prevent kids from accessing adult content or results.

Communication

• Communication limits: These settings manage who kids can call, FaceTime, and message.
• Manage who can communicate during Screen Time: Decide who your kid can contact during Downtime or restricted hours.
• Communication safety (sensitive photo detection): If you enable this feature, kids will be warned if they try to send or receive photos in which the algorithm has detected nudity.

Time

• Screen Time limits: You can set app limits, Downtime (schedule time away from screen), and always allowed apps (apps available even during Downtime).

Other Allowed Apps (aka Native Apple Apps)

• Airdrop:
  • AirDrop receiving restrictions: You can manage who can send content via AirDrop, which is usually safest when set to "no one."
• AI:
  • Apple Intelligence & Siri restrictions: This can be used to block adult content, limit AI features, and control what kids can ask or share with Siri.
  • ChatGPT integration controls: Screen Time's ChatGPT integration controls let parents block or allow access to ChatGPT through Apple AI features, and they can require Siri to ask for confirmation before sending any requests to ChatGPT.

Parents can set up Apple's parental controls by going to your device's settings and tapping Screen Time. Once your child's device is linked through Family Sharing, you can adjust your kid's settings. Using your own device, you can enable a settings passcode to prevent kids from changing settings on their own device. 

How to Locate Each Setting

Content Settings

• 1. Open the Settings app.
• 2. Tap Screen Time.
• 3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• 4. Enable the Content & Privacy Restrictions toggle.
• 5. Tap Content Restrictions.
• 6. Here you'll find options for:
  • Allowed Apps
  • Content Ratings (Apps, Movies, TV Shows, Books, Music)
  • Web Content
  • Siri Restrictions
  • Game Center Settings

Communication Settings

• 1. Open the Settings app.
• 2. Tap Screen Time.
• 3. Tap Communication Limits.
• 4. Choose During Screen Time and During Downtime.
• 5. Select contacts allowed for communication.
• 6. For communication safety:
  • Go back to Screen Time.
  • Tap Communication Safety.
  • Enable Check for Sensitive Photos.

Time Settings

• 1. Open the Settings app.
• 2. Tap Screen Time.
• 3. For Downtime: Tap Downtime, then go to Enable and set a schedule.
• 4. For App Limits: Tap App Limits, then go to Add Limit, then tap Select categories or specific apps, and choose Set time limit.
• 5. For Always Allowed: Tap Always Allowed and then tap Select apps that bypass Screen Time limits.

Allowed App Settings (for Airdrop & AI)

AirDrop Settings

• 1. Open the Settings app.
• 2. Tap Screen Time.
• 3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• 4. Tap Allowed Apps.
• 5. Toggle AirDrop off to disable it.
• 6. Alternatively, for receiving restrictions:
  • Open Settings and navigate to General, then tap AirDrop.
  • Select Receiving Off, Contacts Only, or Everyone for 10 Minutes.

AI Settings

• 1. Open the Settings app.
• 2. Tap Screen Time.
• 3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• 4. Tap Allowed Apps.
• 5. Scroll to find the Apple Intelligence & Siri toggle.
• 6. For ChatGPT restrictions:
  • Go to Settings and select Apple Intelligence & Siri.
  • Tap ChatGPT.
  • Manage the integration settings.

Note: You can set up Screen Time with a separate passcode known only to parents to prevent children from changing these restrictions.

• Content: Parents are not notified of content alerts.
• Communication: There's no way to monitor the content of iMessages. Disabling MMS and group chat does not always work.
• Time: App time limits don't always work consistently, according to Apple discussion boards.
• Notifications: Usage notifications are sent to the child's phone, not through parental control settings.
• Allowed apps: Managing app downloads can be tricky. Once an app is installed on a device, it's difficult to prevent it from being reinstalled.
• Managing app downloads: Once an app is downloaded to a device, it's challenging to prevent it from being downloaded again, even if settings are in place to block it.
• Notes: There are no parental controls for the Notes feature, which can be used to communicate with others when notes are shared.
• Workarounds: Kids can use built-in Apple apps in unconventional ways, including AirDrop, Notes for text messaging and Siri, and iMessage for internet access.
• Third-party apps: Parents can add additional safety using some third-party parental controls and tools. 

This article was created in collaboration with Sarah Gallagher Trombley, founder of Digital Mom Media. This education platform teaches parents how to navigate technology safely with and for their children through workshops, courses, and personal coaching.