How to Control Your Kid’s Screen Time on iPhone and iPad (2025)

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In an age where digital devices are an integral part of our lives, managing screen time for children has become a concern for many parents. With iPhones and iPads being popular choices for kids, Apple has provided several tools to help parents monitor and control their children’s screen time. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up and managing screen time controls on your child’s iPhone or iPad.

Introduction to Screen Time

Screen Time is a feature introduced by Apple that allows users to track and limit the amount of time spent on devices. For parents, it offers the ability to set restrictions on their children’s devices, including downtime, app limits, and content & privacy restrictions. For a detailed overview of Screen Time, you can refer to the Apple Support documentation.

Setting Up Family Sharing

Before you can manage your child’s screen time, you need to set up Family Sharing. This feature allows you to create a family group with which you can share purchases, subscriptions, and more importantly, use Screen Time controls.

Creating a Family Group

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap on your Apple ID at the top of the menu.
  3. Select ‘Family Sharing’ and then ‘Set Up Your Family’.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to invite family members.

Adding Your Child to the Family Group

  1. Within the Family Sharing settings, tap ‘Add Family Member’.
  2. Choose ‘Create a Child Account’ and follow the prompts.
  3. Set the necessary birthday for your child and agree to the Parent Privacy Disclosure.
  4. Complete the setup by following the instructions to create an Apple ID for your child.

Setting Up Screen Time for Your Child

Once Family Sharing is configured, you can set up Screen Time for your child’s device directly from your own iPhone or iPad.

Enabling Screen Time

  1. Go to the Settings app and tap on ‘Screen Time’.
  2. Tap ‘Turn on Screen Time’ and read through the introduction.
  3. Select ‘This is My Child’s [device]’ to set up Screen Time for a child.

Setting Downtime

Downtime is a period when only phone calls and apps that you choose to allow are available.

  1. During the Screen Time setup, you’ll be prompted to set a start and end time for Downtime.
  2. Choose the times that you’d like your child’s device to be limited.

Applying App Limits

App Limits allow you to set daily time limits for app categories.

  1. Continue with the Screen Time setup and tap ‘App Limits’.
  2. Add limits by categories or specific apps.
  3. Set the time duration for each limit.

Choosing Always Allowed Apps

You can select certain apps to be always available, even during Downtime.

  1. In the Screen Time setup, tap ‘Always Allowed’.
  2. Select the apps that you want to be always available.

Setting Content & Privacy Restrictions

You can restrict the content your child can access, including apps, websites, and media, as well as privacy settings.

  1. Tap ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’ during the Screen Time setup.
  2. Configure the settings as per your preference.

Managing Screen Time Features

After setting up Screen Time, you can manage and change the settings at any time from your device.

Changing Downtime Settings

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Select your child’s name under Family.
  3. Tap ‘Downtime’ and adjust the settings.

Modifying App Limits

  1. Under your child’s Screen Time settings, tap ‘App Limits’.
  2. Add or delete limits, or change the time for existing limits.

Updating Always Allowed Apps

  1. Tap ‘Always Allowed’ in your child’s Screen Time settings.
  2. Modify the list of allowed apps as needed.

Setting Content & Privacy Restrictions

Content & Privacy Restrictions are crucial for managing the content your child can see and the changes they can make to their device settings.

Restricting iTunes & App Store Purchases

  1. In the Screen Time settings for your child, tap ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’.
  2. Enter your Screen Time passcode if prompted.
  3. Tap ‘iTunes & App Store Purchases’ and choose the settings you prefer.

Controlling Allowed Apps

  1. Within Content & Privacy Restrictions, tap ‘Allowed Apps’.
  2. Toggle off the apps you want to disallow.

Managing Content Restrictions

  1. Tap ‘Content Restrictions’ to set limits on explicit content, purchases, downloads, and privacy.
  2. Adjust settings for music, movies, TV shows, books, and apps according to the age rating you deem appropriate for your child.

Adjusting Privacy Settings

  1. Under Content & Privacy Restrictions, tap ‘Privacy’.
  2. Choose which apps can access data like location, contacts, calendars, and more.

Troubleshooting Screen Time Issues

Occasionally, you may encounter problems with Screen Time. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:

Screen Time Not Syncing

If Screen Time settings are not syncing across devices, ensure that both devices are connected to the internet and that Family Sharing is set up correctly. For troubleshooting steps, you can consult the Apple Support page on Family Sharing.

Forgotten Screen Time Passcode

If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you may need to erase your child’s device and set it up as a new device to remove the Screen Time settings. Remember to back up important data before doing this.

Apps Not Working During Allowed Times

If certain apps are not working when they should be, check the Always Allowed list and the app limits to ensure that they’re set up correctly.

Tips and Best Practices

Here are some tips and best practices for managing your child’s screen time effectively:

  • Communicate with your child about the reasons behind screen time limits and involve them in the decision-making process.
  • Be consistent with the limits you set to help your child develop healthy screen time habits.
  • Use downtime and app limits as opportunities for your child to engage in non-screen activities.
  • Regularly review the Screen Time reports to adjust settings as your child grows and their needs change.

Managing your child’s screen time on iPhone and iPad requires a combination of technology and communication. By using the built-in Screen Time feature and maintaining an open dialogue with your child, you can help them develop a balanced relationship with their devices. For more information on Screen Time and Family Sharing, you can visit the official Apple Support page.

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