Protecting Your Family in the Digital Era

Getting Started with Apple Screen Time

Apple Screen Time is a powerful tool that helps parents monitor and manage their children’s device usage. This guide will walk you through the basic setup and configuration of Apple Screen Time for families.

How-to Video

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SSF - Apple Screen Time.pdf

How to Enable Screen Time for Families

  1. Open the Settings app and tap on your name
  2. Tap Family (or Family Sharing), then tap Set Up Your Family

How to Add a Child to Your Account

  1. Tap the Add Member button 
  2. If your child doesn’t have an Apple Account, tap Create an Account for a Child. But if your child already has an Apple Account, tap Invite People
  3. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up parental controls, location sharing, and more

How to Configure a Downtime Schedule

Downtime allows you to set a schedule when only apps you choose and phone calls are available:

  1. Open Settings > Screen Time > tap your child’s name
  2. Tap Downtime
  3. Toggle on Scheduled
  4. Set a start and end time (e.g., 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM)
  5. Choose whether to block apps at downtime or just provide a reminder

How to Restrict Installation of New Apps

  1. Open Settings > Screen Time > tap your child’s name
  2. Tap App Store and iTunes Purchases
  3. Choose Don’t Allow for “Installing Apps”
  4. You can also restrict in-app purchases and require a password for purchases

How to Restrict Access to Web Content

  1. Open Settings > Screen Time > tap your child’s name
  2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
  3. Toggle on Content & Privacy Restrictions at the top
  4. Tap Content Restrictions
  5. Tap Web Content
  6. Choose one of the following options:
    • Limit Adult Websites: Automatically filters adult content
    • Allowed Websites Only: Only allows access to websites you specifically approve

How to Restrict Ability to Change Device Passcode

  1. Go to Settings  > Family > [child’s name] > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions
  2. Set Passcode & Face ID to “Don’t Allow”
  3. This ensures that the device is always accessible to you as the parent if needed

Remember, Screen Time is most effective when used as part of ongoing conversations about healthy technology use, rather than simply as a restriction tool.