The iPhone is often a child's first smartphone, and Apple provides robust parental controls through Screen Time. This guide covers everything from basic restrictions to advanced monitoring features.
10-17
Recommended Ages: Most experts recommend waiting until at least age 10-12 for a smartphone. Younger children should have the most restrictive settings enabled.
You have two options for managing your child's iPhone:
Family Sharing (Recommended) : Manage settings remotely from your own deviceOn-Device Setup : Configure directly on your child's phone with a passcode
Use Family Sharing
Family Sharing lets you manage Screen Time, approve purchases, and track location—all from your iPhone. It's the most effective approach.
1
Create a Family Group On your iPhone:
Settings Your Name Family Sharing Set Up Your Family Follow the prompts to create your family group.
2
Add Your Child You can either:
Create a Child Account : For children under 13, you create and manage their Apple AccountAdd Existing Apple Account : For teens with existing accounts Family Sharing Add Member Create Child Account
3
Enable Ask to Buy This requires your approval for any App Store purchases or free downloads:
Family Sharing Your Child's Name Ask to Buy Toggle this ON for children under 18.
Screen Time is Apple's comprehensive parental control system.
Settings Screen Time Your Child's Name
1
Turn On Screen Time Select your child from the family list and tap "Turn On Screen Time."
2
Set a Screen Time Passcode Create a 4-digit passcode that your child won't guess. This prevents them from changing settings.
Warning
Don't use obvious codes like 1234, 0000, or your child's birth year. Store the passcode somewhere safe.
Control how long your child can use specific apps or categories.
Screen Time App Limits Add Limit Recommended starting limits:
Social Media : 30-60 minutes/dayGames : 60-90 minutes/dayEntertainment : 60 minutes/day
Tip
Tap "Customize Days" to allow more time on weekends.
Schedule periods when only essential apps work—perfect for bedtime and homework.
Recommended schedule:
School nights : 8:00 PM - 7:00 AMWeekends : 9:00 PM - 8:00 AM
Enable "Block at Downtime" to enforce strictly.
Choose apps that work even during Downtime:
Screen Time Always Allowed Recommended:
Phone (for emergencies)
Messages (optional—see Communication Limits)
Maps
Clock
Warning
Be selective! Apps in Always Allowed bypass all time limits.
This is where you control what your child can access and change.
Screen Time Content & Privacy Restrictions Turn this ON, then configure each section:
Content & Privacy Restrictions App Installations & Purchases On older iOS versions this section is called "iTunes & App Store Purchases" — the settings inside are the same.
Setting Recommendation Installing Apps Ask (requires password) Deleting Apps Don't Allow In-app Purchases Don't Allow
Content & Privacy Restrictions Content Restrictions Music, Podcasts, News
Set to "Clean" to block explicit content
Movies
Choose maximum rating (G, PG, PG-13, R)
TV Shows
Apps
Choose age rating: 4+, 9+, 13+, 16+, or 18+
Web Content
Unrestricted : No filteringLimit Adult Websites : Blocks known adult sites (recommended)Allowed Websites Only : Whitelist only—strictest option
Web Filtering Limitations
Apple's web filter catches major adult sites but isn't perfect. Consider additional filtering through your router or a service like CleanBrowsing DNS.
Web Search Content : Don't Allow (prevents searching inappropriate content via Siri)Explicit Language : Don't Allow
Content Restrictions Game Center
Multiplayer Games : Consider restricting for younger childrenAdding Friends : Consider restrictingScreen Recording : Your choice
Control who your child can contact.
Screen Time Communication Limits
Everyone : No restrictionsContacts Only : Can only call/text people in ContactsContacts & Groups : Includes group chats with at least one contact
Choose specific people your child can always reach (you, other parent, emergency contacts).
Communication Limits Manage [Child's] Contacts Enable this to approve any new contacts before they're added.
New in iOS 26
Children with Child Accounts must now send a request for your approval before communicating with a new phone number in Phone, Messages, or FaceTime.
This feature detects and blurs nudity in Messages, FaceTime video calls, and Photos Shared Albums. On iOS 26 it's enabled by default for all child accounts under 18:
Screen Time Communication Safety When enabled:
Photos with nudity are blurred before viewing
Child receives guidance about sensitive content
No notification sent to parents (privacy-respecting)
This uses on-device machine learning—photos aren't sent anywhere.
Keep track of your child's location:
Settings Privacy & Security Location Services Share My Location Ensure this is ON, then:
Your child should appear in your Find My app if Family Sharing is set up.
Set up alerts when your child arrives or leaves locations:
Open Find My app
Select your child
Tap "Add" under Notifications
Choose "Notify Me" when they arrive/leave a location
Content & Privacy Restrictions Privacy Setting Recommendation Location Services Don't Allow Changes (after configuring) Contacts Restrict which apps access Photos Restrict which apps access Share My Location Don't Allow Changes
Content & Privacy Restrictions Allow Changes Setting Recommendation Passcode Changes Don't Allow Account Changes Don't Allow Cellular Data Changes Don't Allow Background App Refresh Allow
Ensure your child can always reach you in emergencies:
Open your contact on your child's phone
Tap "Edit"
Enable "Emergency Bypass" for calls and texts
This ensures your calls/texts come through even during Downtime or Do Not Disturb.
Screen Time
See:
Daily and weekly usage
Most used apps
Pickups (how often they check the phone)
Notifications by app
You'll receive automatic weekly summaries comparing usage to the previous week.
Change it immediately in Screen Time settings
Review their recent activity
Have a conversation about trust
With Family Sharing, reset from your device:
Settings Screen Time Child's Name Change Screen Time Passcode
System apps can't be limited
New apps take a few minutes to categorize
Restart the device
Some tech-savvy teens use VPNs to bypass restrictions. Check for VPN apps in their App Library and consider restricting app installation.
Maximum restrictions
Downtime 7 PM - 7 AM
No social media apps
Contacts Only communication
Allowed Websites Only for web
Ask to Buy enabled
Moderate restrictions
Downtime 9 PM - 7 AM
Limited social media (with monitoring)
Limit Adult Websites
Consider communication limits
Lighter restrictions with trust
Later downtime
Focus on open communication
Gradually reduce monitoring
Screen Time Has Known Weaknesses — Know Them
Screen Time is solid but not unbreakable. Understanding the common bypass methods helps you close gaps quickly and have informed conversations with your child.
Screen Time passcode was guessed or seen
Change it immediately: Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode
Use a 6-digit code and avoid obvious patterns (birth year, 1234, 0000)
If set up via Family Sharing, reset it from your own device
Device was reset to remove Screen Time
Enable "Screen Time Passcode" via Family Sharing — this prevents a local reset from clearing settings without your passcode
Enable "Find My" to locate a reset device
If they reset without Family Sharing, you'll need to set Screen Time up again and use Family Sharing going forward
VPN or proxy installed to bypass web content filtering
Check the App Library for VPN apps (search "VPN")
In Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > VPN & Device Management, set to "Don't Allow"
This prevents installing VPN profiles and configuration files
Using Safari private browsing to avoid history
Disable Private Browsing: Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content > set to "Limit Adult Websites" (this disables private mode)
Or block Safari entirely and use a filtered browser like Bark Browser
Asking for extra time after every limit is reached
If this is constant, the limit may be too low — consider a modest increase
If the behavior is problematic, enable "Block at End of Limit" to prevent time extension requests
Downloading apps through another Apple Account
Prevent account changes: Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allow Changes > Account Changes > Don't Allow
This stops them from signing into a different Apple Account on the device
Using a second device (friend's phone, old tablet)
This can't be controlled remotely — rely on conversation
Set clear expectations: rules apply on any device, not just theirs
Change the Screen Time passcode immediately
Re-apply any settings that were modified
Enable Family Sharing if you haven't already — it's much harder to bypass than on-device Screen Time
Review the App Library (swipe left on home screen) for apps that might be hidden
Check battery usage (Settings > Battery) to see which apps are getting the most use
Have a calm conversation: what were they trying to do, and why?
Family Sharing configured Child Account created/added Screen Time passcode set (and stored safely) Always Allowed apps minimized Content & Privacy Restrictions enabled In-app purchases disabled Communication Safety enabled Account/passcode changes restricted Official Apple documentation
Complete Family Sharing guide
You're Protected
With these settings configured, you have comprehensive control over your child's iPhone. Remember to check in regularly and adjust settings as they grow.
Follow these steps to configure parental controls. Check off each step as you complete it — your progress stays on this page.
