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 Enable Screen Time for Families

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
  2. Scroll down and tap on Screen Time
  3. Tap Turn On Screen Time
  4. Select This is My Child’s Device if setting up on your child’s device, or This is My Device if setting up on your own
  5. If you selected “This is My Child’s Device,” follow the prompts to set up basic restrictions

How to Add a Child to Your Account

  1. On your own device, open Settings and tap Screen Time
  2. Scroll down and select Family Screen Time (if you’ve set up Family Sharing)
  3. Select your child’s name from the list
  4. If you haven’t set up Family Sharing yet:
    • Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing
    • Tap Add Member and follow the instructions to add your child

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:
    • Unrestricted Access: No web restrictions
    • Limit Adult Websites: Automatically filters adult content
    • Allowed Websites Only: Only allows access to websites you specifically approve

Tips for Success

  • Set a Screen Time passcode that’s different from your device passcode
  • Review Screen Time reports weekly to understand your child’s usage patterns
  • Start with fewer restrictions and add more as needed
  • Communicate with your child about why you’re using Screen Time
  • Adjust settings as your child matures and demonstrates responsible usage

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