In this tech world, iPhones and iPads have become more common devices in children’s hands. Even if they don’t have their own, there is a chance to use their parents’ mobile. If you feel that your kid is spending too much time on their iPhone or iPad device, then you need to restrict which is also called Parent controls. It’s not uncommon for parents to feel torn about giving their children a smartphone. This parental control feature will block users from using certain apps, iMessages, delete apps, privacy settings, data usage, and much more.
In this article, we will discuss how to set up parental controls on iPhone and iPad including tips to block content, set time limits, and stop expensive in-app purchases.
How to Turn On Parental Controls on iPhone
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone.
Step 2: Now Tap Screen Time and Turn on it.
Step 3: Tap This is My Child’s Device
Step 4: If you want to set up downtime and app limits, follow the in-app instructions under the Screen Time section
For example, you might want to restrict them from playing games or using social media while sleep time. Regardless of what hours you choose, calls and text messages will still get through. Same as you can set apps usage time on your child’s iPhone device.
Step 5: On the Content & Privacy Page, tap continues then Set a unique Screen Time passcode when it prompts.
The above setup is for iOS 12 mobile version devices. In iOS 12, we can restrict access by using the new Screen Time feature and make all your decisions regarding putting up restrictions on your child’s device from inside the Screen Time feature.
How to Enable Parental Control on iPhone (iOS 11 or earlier)
Follow this step by step guide on how to set parental controls on iPhone running iOS 11 or earlier versions.
Step 1: On your iPhone’s home screen, tap the Settings icon.
Step 2: Now you need to select General
Step 3: In that dropdown menu, select Restrictions.
Step 4: Next you will select Enable Restrictions.
Step 5: In this step, you will be asked to enter a four-digit passcode that your child shouldn’t know previously or guess.
Step 6: You need to re-enter the four-digit passcode again to enable parental control on your iPhone or iPad device.
The above parental control restriction steps are the same for iPhone 5, 5c, 6, 7, iPhone 8 plus, iPhone Max, XS, XR, and few other models.
Disable Safari and Other Apps on iPhone
On iOS 11 and earlier model devices, you can find a parental control option below the Allow section of the Restrictions page. There you can choose whether you want your child to be able to access certain apps such as Safari web browser, YouTube, FaceTime, Snapchat, or any other built-in apps offered by Apple. If you do not want your child to gain access to any of these apps, you can turn Off the switches next to them. The location-sharing feature can also be disabled to protect your child from posting their location information on social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and other apps.
How to Set Up Parental Controls on iPad
The iPad parental controls work as the same iPhone as setting a four-digit passcode on the iPad. After you create a passcode, restrict apps and settings based on your child’s age and what areas of the iPad you want them to access. This includes selecting the type of movies (G, PG, or PG-13) and music available to the child, and limiting the device to certain websites.
Follow the below steps and know how to turn on parental control for your child’s iPad device.
1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Tap the “Screen Time” tab.
3. Tap to set a Screen Time passcode, and enter your chosen numeric code (if this is already done, the tab will read “Change Screen Time Passcode,” which you may want to do periodically).
4. Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
5. Enter your passcode to activate parent control restrictions.
To customize your restriction you should tap “Content Restrictions” and set the ratings you will allow for media and browser access (e.g. G-rated movies), filter web content (no explicit language), and set limits to the types of websites your child can visit. The parental control settings are the same on iPad 2 and iPad 5th generation too.
If you have a young child, we recommend only allowing him or her to visit specifically allowed sites by tapping the “Allowed Websites Only” tab under the “Web Content” subpage. And don’t forget to check which apps are allowed and restricted. You may want to limit your time on kid’s iPad use of FaceTime and the iTunes store, and safari.
Other Screen Time Settings
The main Screen Time menu has a few more restriction options.
- Downtime locks the device between specific hours of the day that you set.
- App Limits sets timers on how long you and your family can use certain apps each day.
Always Allowed bypasses these two settings for certain programs you want to access during Downtime, for example, Messages.