Parental controls for iPhone limit access to specific applications, features, and even content. All of which ensures that the internet is a safe place for children.

If you’re struggling to understand the parent controls on an iPhone, this article has got you covered. Read on to learn everything you need to know.

Understanding Parental Controls for iPhone

The parental controls on iPhone let parents set limits, block explicit content, and monitor screen time. This way, you can rest assured that your kids aren’t visiting unsuitable sites.

Here’s how you can configure the parental controls on your iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
   
2. Click on Screen Time.
   
3. Select either This is My [Device] or This is My Child’s [Device].
4. Create a Screen Time passcode for a child’s device.
   
5. Type in your Apple ID and password for passcode recovery.
   
6. The possible parental controls can be found in the Screen Time menu.
7. Restrictions to make purchases are made under Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
   
8. Limit unwanted buying under iTunes & App Store Purchases.
   
9. Switch off all apps not to be accessed at Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps then restrict built-in apps.
   
10. Content boundaries concerning music, movies, TV shows, books, and applications can be set through Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
    

Parental Controls on iPhone: Pros and Cons

The iPhone parental controls offer useful features for children’s online safety. These settings can help personalize things, block certain applications, and secure the internet.

Apple designed its Screen Time to be user-friendly even for non-tech-savvy parents through a simplified interface while setting it up.

Here are the pros and cons of using parental control on iPhones:

Pros of Using Parental Controls on iPhone:

• Detailed Control: Personalized app and content management.
• Children’s Online Safety: Protection from inappropriate content.
• Simple Setup: User-friendly interface that ensures quick configuration.
• App Limits: Control and limit app usage easily.
• Web Content Filtering: Restricts access to explicit material.
• Location Monitoring: Provides peace of mind with location alerts.

Cons of Using Parental Controls on iPhone:

• Privacy Concerns: Invasion of privacy is a concern.
• Balancing Freedom: Communication can’t be replaced but only complemented.
• Coverage Limits: Not covering all online concerns.
• Balancing Freedom: Challenges in achieving the right balance.
• Tech-Savvy Bypass: Children can bypass control.

Preventing Purchases

Parents using Screen Time can prevent their children from making in-app purchases, downloading new apps, and installing existing apps on their iPhones. This feature enables parents to take charge of the device’s new apps and purchases.

To prevent iTunes & App Store purchases or downloads, do the following:

1. To enable Screen Time, go to Settings and tap on it.
   
2. If prompted enter your passcode, and click on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
   
3. Tap on iTunes & App Store Purchases.
   
4. Select Don’t Allow or a similar setting to stop purchasing or downloading.
   

Also, you can change your password settings for other purchases that will be made through iTunes & App Store or Book Store:

1. Follow steps 1-3 above.
2. Then choose Always Require or Don’t Require a password for purchases.
   

Once these restrictions are enabled, app downloads and in-app purchases can no longer be completed without the iPhone user knowing about it in advance. This is particularly significant when a kid uses an iPhone. You may want to try this option if you’d like to limit spending on downloaded or app-related items.

Restrict Built-in Apps

It’s possible to disable some built-in apps or features on your child’s iPhone. When you disable default apps such as Mail, FaceTime, Safari, or the Camera, your child won’t be able to see them on its Home Screen. Note that the apps aren’t deleted just temporarily disabled until you choose to enable them again.

Here’s how to change which built-in apps your child can access:

1. Open Settings and go to Screen Time.
   
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
   
3. Enter the passcode on your Screen Time.
   
4. Tap Allowed Apps.
   
5. Turn off any default applications that you want to restrict from being accessed by your children.

Restricting built-in apps will prevent your child from accessing content you don’t want them viewing. You may choose to turn off Safari to limit web browsing, disable FaceTime to block video calls or turn off Mail to prevent emailing. The apps will return to the Home Screen when you toggle them back on in Allowed Apps.

Limit Explicit Content

You can restrict explicit content such as music, movies, TV shows, books, and podcasts that contain adult language or themes. By rating the appropriateness based on age, you can limit what kind of content will be shown to your children.

Here’s how to set limits for explicit content:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your passcode.
   
2. Tap Content Restrictions.
   
3. Under Allowed Store Content, choose limits for Music, Movies, TV Shows, Books, and Podcasts.
   

For example, movies can be restricted to only PG and G-rated films.

Also, you can restrict app ratings by selecting a restriction under Apps. This blocks downloading or using applications above the chosen age rating.

Similarly, you can enable App Clips which only allow clips appropriate for children by choosing a restriction.

Bypass Screen Time Restrictions

Parents still need to control and limit the use of devices by their children even during downtime. The reason being that extremely strict settings may force kids to find innovative techniques that can help them overrule Screen Time.

Here are simple tips to consider:

• You may want to allow their app usage during downtime. For instance, you can set this time frame to block certain apps while allowing others such as communication or study apps to remain accessible after regular hours.
• Besides using screen time, parents should also install parental control apps on their children’s devices. This will bring in an added layer of monitoring as well as management.
• To stop them from evading limitations, it’s good practice to frequently change your Screen Time passcode and keep it secret from your children.
• Letting your child know why you imposed these limits also helps. Have conversations with your child about healthy technology habits.

Once there is understanding from both sides, it becomes less likely that they will try to completely avoid all restrictions being imposed on them. The key is maintaining open communication.

Web Content Filtering

To restrict access to adult content, the internet browsers on your child’s device filter site content. Still, it may deliberately include specific websites at certain approval levels or with blockage measures enacted to ensure that only approved sites are accessed.

To filter web content, do the following:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Enter your Screen Time passcode.
   
2. Tap Content Restrictions, then Web Content.
   

Select one of the following options:

• Unrestricted Access: Allows unfiltered web access.
• Limit Adult Websites: Automatically filters websites with adult content. Websites are filtered based on content rating.
• Allowed Websites Only: Restricts web browsing to a custom list of approved websites. Manually add allowed websites.

To add allowed or blocked websites, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Settings tab, navigate to Screen Time, and tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions. Provide your passcode.
   
2. Under Content Restrictions, select Web Content and proceed to Limit Adult Content.
   
3. Choose from the two options available depending on what you want either Allowed Websites or Blocked Websites.
   
4. Type in the website’s URL to which you wish to restrict access.
   

Once activated, this type of content filtering is enabled for Safari and any other browser on your child’s iPhone or iPad. The web restrictions revert to Limit Adult Websites during every upgrade of iOS or iPadOS across all their devices.

Restricting Game Center

Game Center facilitates connection among friends and other players. However, there are times when parents might want to control aspects of these social features.

To restrict Game Center on an iPhone or iPad, do the following:

1. Go to Settings and press Screen Time.
   
2. Press Content & Privacy Restrictions and then tap Content Restrictions.
   
3. Scroll down to Game Centre then select your preferred settings.
   

Here’s how to restrict these Game Center features:

• Multiplayer Games: Don’t allow playing multiplayer games with everyone.
• Adding Friends: Restrict the ability to add friends in the game center.
• Connect with Friends: Turn off sharing of the Game Center friend list to third-party games.
• Screen Recording: Disable screen and sound capture.
• Nearby Multiplayer: Disable the nearby setting.
• Private Messaging: No voice chat or sending/receiving custom messages for game and friend invitations.
• Profile Privacy Changes: Block profile privacy settings changes.
• Avatar & Nickname Changes: Prohibit the changing of Game Center avatars and nicknames.

Parents can control the privacy settings as well as online interactions in games by limiting the scope of Game Center.

Allow Specific Changes

Some settings can be altered while others can’t be modified at all. This ensures that your child is allowed some freedom but you still have power over the most important functions.

To allow for specific changes, do the following:

1. Open Settings, and then tap on Screen Time.
   
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If prompted, enter your passcode.
   
3. Choose those features or settings in which you would like their changes to be made by selecting the Allow or Don’t Allow option under Allow Changes.
   

Here are some of the features and settings where you may want to allow changes:

• Passcode Changes: Avoid alterations to your passcode.
• Cellular Data Changes: Avoid alterations to cellular data settings.
• Driving Focus: Avoid changes regarding the Driving Focus.

On the other hand, there are occasions when you might want to limit adjustments:

• Account Changes: Prevent account changes in Accounts and Passwords.
• Background App Activities: Disallowing apps from running in the background can’t be changed.

FAQs

How does the iPhone screen time work?

Screen Time is an iPhone feature that allows you to manage and supervise your child’s online activities. It can restrict access to some apps, functions, and content to avoid wrong or excessive use of the device. You could set boundaries, block explicit materials, as well as monitor the time spent on the screen to ensure a safe online experience for your children.

What things can you limit with iPhone screen time?

Screen Time enables restrictions on specific applications, limited app usage, blocking explicit content, and monitoring screen time. It also limits purchases, filters web content, and track’s locations.

What are some obstacles to managing a child’s iPhone usage?

Privacy is a primary concern with a child’s iPhone. Parents must also strike a balance between safety and freedom since high-tech children may bypass control measures. Furthermore, concerns about online content can’t be completely addressed since it is impossible to cover every base.

Which settings does Screen Time allow you to modify?

With Screen Time, you can modify these settings as well as others. For instance, you could block everything that you think your child shouldn’t be doing but leave apps that are safe for your kid-free.

How do I stop a child from using Game Center on their iPhone?

To restrict Game Center on your child’s iPhone, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Game Center. You may restrict players’ access to several functions on their connected devices like multiplayer games, friends’ addition, friends’ connectivity, screen recording, and private messaging. This allows for control of privacy settings and game communications for your children.

The Importance of iPhone Parental Controls

Parental controls on iPhone give you the ability to control and monitor your children’s online activities. If you personalize the settings and limit app access, you can create a safe online environment for them. But don’t forget to set passcodes and review restrictions regularly to avoid children getting around these controls.

What challenges have you encountered with your child’s iPhone usage? Which of the tips or tricks featured in this article have you found most effective in parental control? Let us know in the comments section below.