I would be happy if Apple could at least implement time restrictions like the Parental Controls on MacOS. That's been available for what, almost a decade now?
The closest thing that's available is something that blocks traffic at the router level, like Circle. But even that isn't perfect, since kids can still use local apps that don't need full network access.
I've also tried some of the MDM programs like OurPact, but the UI is awful and they do a lousy job of implementing it on the client side, probably in part because of what Apple allows to be turned off and what they do not.
The simplest thing missing in iOS is multiple downtimes per day. My old router is able to do it, but Apple still hasn't done it. I don't want my kids on their phones during bed time and during a large part of the day (school!). But downtime lets you define just one period per day. I have to remember switching between them manually. I am sure I am doing something wrong.
Something else that makes it hard to restrict things is that as a parent, you have to know all the features every app has. I think up to a point this is actually a good thing, so let me give an example when I think it's unrealistic. For example I don't want my daughter watching videos all the time, so most apps are blocked much of the time. She loves to draw on her iPad and listen to music though - two things I encourage - so I put Procreate (drawing app) and Spotify in her Always Allowed list. She's very artistic and makes beautiful drawings. But apparently you can import videos into Procreate, and Spotify now has music videos for many songs, so these apps quickly became her go to video watching apps during downtime.
Ideally I think restrictions on platforms like these aren't app based, but "what do you do with them"-based. I'd like an option as a parent that lets me configure "no watching videos after 9pm".
Some bonus gripes:
- if I want to use parental controls for my kids' iOS devices, I need to have an Apple device as well. I can't, say, be on Android and Linux (I have a MacBook and an iPhone, so this doesn't apply to me personally).
- Why does everything have to be an app these days. I remember having a router that my ISP provided. When we first got it, it had a very convenient web interface for parental controls. But then they decided to deprecate that and make it into a mobile app. I have a tiny phone (first gen iPhone SE, which I love) but it's not ideal for admin tasks like these.
iOS parental controls are awful. The only way to get any decent control for my concerns that the moment is using the downtime features all day long. Effectively I've told iOS that he should be in bed for 23 hours and 55 minutes a day. It's ridiculous and extremely limiting.
Microsoft's parental controls are sort of ok. I also have separate control software for Windows and I have controls at the router. Of course, none of things can talk to each other to create a coordinated plan (say giving X number of screen time hours per day).
I wish Apple could get the Screen Time feature to work properly. You can set up extremely restrictive parental controls on your own devices and then give the passcode to your sister. But unfortunately Screen Time is not ready for prime time yet. For instance, you can get around blacklisted sites just by changing the browser that you use. What a joke.
These features exist! Apple includes parental controls under "Screen Time" and they works very well. You can whitelist contacts and websites, and even extend them remotely, as an administrator of a child's device.
This feature is a big plus for parents. It's hard to appreciate how hard it is to protect kids online if you don't have kids yourself. I get that those without kids will find it intrusive, but it sounds like these feature are opt-in.
I consider iOS to be the best platform for kids today. That said, Apple: if you're listening: please tighten up parental controls around time limits and re-loading apps!
Interesting anecdote, but in my circles the kids all just play together when they're forced to group, up to and including the pre-teens (actual teens are simply not there - they're doing homework or socializing outside our friend/family group meetings).
I really wish Apple would mimic Amazon's playtime functionality - right now we use a digital timer (TimeTimer when she was younger) for our eldest, but if we're not watching she gets more time than she's allotted.
That or some way of blocking access at the wifi-router level that was easily configurable. Hell even an big "play time" physical switch situated high on a wall that you could turn on/off to control access to youtube/netflix would be nice :)
Another possibility: create good parental controls (time limits, time fencing, insight into usage, etc.)
Wasn't it a group of Apple activist shareholders demanding some of these features get built into iOS?
That's the real solution here... start demanding with your wallet that you would pay for these counter-measures.
One thing I've always appreciated about iOS (and contributed towards my brand loyalty and sales) is better security permissions (no, I'm not going to grant my flashlight app access to my microphone). I hear Android's gotten better about it, but even just the other weekend, an android-using family member asked me if I can figure out why some annoying ad appears somewhere on her lock or home screen (aka who is the spammy app). A walled garden does have its benefits if the gardener is incentivized with devices sales not eyeballs...
Similar attention-control features wouldn't even be for kids -- it's something I would even use myself. The brain-hacking dopamine drip strategies talked in the article don't only affect kids, after all. Start showing there's profit in counter-measures.
I hate the whole ITunes system, and how bad it is for parents. I've found that it's simply impossible to find any time control apps to effectively monitor and restrict your child's usage patterns. Apps like Screentimelabs simply don't have the authority they require, and appear vastly better in their Android versions.
I have a 6 year old boy; I'd like to e.g. time limit games time to a set amount of time, and allow more time for apps that I have vetted positive for his learning.
Ideally I'd link N amount of productivity time to bonus time in the games category, however I'd settle for just being able to restrict overall app usage by category timers.
When/if my son's iPad breaks, it won't be replaced by a new one.
Recently I set my nine year old up with an old Linux desktop as his first real computer. Of course he is set up in the living room, no headphones, and with a kids Google account that I can fully monitor.
Right now a pain point is trying to set time limits on websites (like youtubekids or lego.com) because although I don't object to them per se, I also don't want him to spend hours browsing the lego website, watching videos, etc.
On iOS devices there are good tools that allow granular level time blocking of websites, apps, etc. Does anyone know of any tools that allow even basic password-protected time blocking on desktop browsers, or a cross-platform (iOS/Linux) time limiter?
If iOS allowed other browsers, then parental controls as described in https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304 will obviously not work. Which eliminates a feature that many parents like.
Yes, yes. I'm well aware that there are many workarounds. Kids get around it. But, like the lock on your front door, its purpose is to give you a feeling of safety. And not to actually be safe.
I am not astonished iOS lacks parental controls but admit they would be useful.
Establishing rules for my toddler is relatively easy when in the context of a physical object (e.g. don't touch the TV, you can only read books or do puzzles during quiet time).
The same toddler has a MUCH harder time recognizing the distinction when dealing with different apps on a single physical device. If I leave two devices in a room and tell him not to touch one, I'll get compliance. If I give him access to a device but tell he that he can't watch movies, compliance drops and he exhibits much less awareness that he broke a rule.
I don't fault apple at all for the lack of parental controls, but do see a use if they were included.
I could see Parental controls as well, but you can pretty much do this already, on a per-device level.
I think Apple's goal is to get you to buy your kid and iPad and lock it down, not let them borrow yours. I don't see iPads every having separate user accounts like a traditional PC has.
For years I tried limiting the screen time of my kids (back when iPhone was at versions 4 and 5). Never could manage to do it properly. My kids would always hack it. I concluded that Apple's interest in having kids spend as much time (and money) on the phone is opposite to mine and that's why they didn't allow proper parental controls. Now I just ask for the phone in the evening and give it back the next day. So much for "high tech". Seems that Apple finally woke up and did something about this. Asking a kid not to abuse the phone is like putting a large bag of chocolates in their room and saying "eat responsibly!".
I would pay for 'kid-safe springboard' for iPhone. Basically something that lets me quickly switch to a 'kid mode' where only apps that I want my 5 year old to play with are available, and maybe even disable Internet to those apps. Sometimes you just don't have their device(s) handy when you'd like to occupy them, and you don't want little one replying-to-all in email... That would be acceptable also -- lock-out of certain apps/groups. And for regular, not-jailbroken iPhones. I do realize this probably isn't possible given what Apple lets you officially access. But maybe there is something creative possible?
If they're using OS X, there is a Parental Controls system preference.
The amount of things that can be set is quite comprehensive:
- the apps that can be used
- which iTunes/App Stores are available and with what age ratings
- whether the camera can be used
- whether Mail can be used to contact anyone or just allowed contacts
- One of "unrestricted web access", "try to limit access to adult sites" or "allow access only to sites in <list>"
- time limits for the account - hours per day, and time of day for weekdays and weekends.
- privacy settings - e.g. allow him/her to install an app/use sites, but prevent those apps/sites from accessing things like contacts data etc.
The only 'off the shelf' solution that would cover this level of control for macs network-wide, would be to put OS X server onto one of the computers and use network logins, with the appropriate limits set.
On Windows a Group Policy probably can achieve the same results, and maybe they're easier to use now, but they were definitely not as point-and-click as Apple's options last time I had any interaction with them.
The other answers are great
1. Keep the devices out of your kids room
2. Control access via Apple’s parental controls (like you already do) and also via NextDNS which allows excellent filtering controls (time of day, content, etc).
> "Apple Configurator" for Mac ... way better than the parental controls / screen time options
Ok, so this sounds very interesting & useful. I'll be reading up on this, but if you have time to pass along any pointers or tips around using this for personal/household use it'd be much appreciated.
The closest thing that's available is something that blocks traffic at the router level, like Circle. But even that isn't perfect, since kids can still use local apps that don't need full network access.
I've also tried some of the MDM programs like OurPact, but the UI is awful and they do a lousy job of implementing it on the client side, probably in part because of what Apple allows to be turned off and what they do not.
reply