Let’s be honest, we’re living in a world where our smartphones are almost as important as our morning coffee, and our kids are getting a head start by mastering the art of swiping before they can even tie their shoes. It’s a brave new world where your six-year-old might just have a better handle on Apple’s iOS than you do. But don’t worry, as your unofficial tech fairy godmother, I’m here to guide you through the labyrinth of ‘Settings’. By the end of this article, you’ll be setting up parental controls like a pro, or at the very least, a well-informed amateur.
Understanding Screen Time
First things first, Apple has a built-in feature called Screen Time. No, it’s not a reminder for your kids to put down their iPads and watch the television screen instead. Screen Time gives you a detailed report about how your device is used, app usage, and more importantly for us beleaguered parents, provides the option to set time limits for apps.
Setting Up Screen Time
How do we set it up? It’s simpler than explaining why the sky is blue, trust me.
- Go to Settings (the one with the grey gear icon. You can’t miss it).
- Scroll down and tap on Screen Time (it’s located between ‘Sounds & Haptics’ and ‘Do Not Disturb’, just in case your eyes start to cross from all the scrolling).
- Tap on ‘Turn On Screen Time’ – it’s not a trap, I promise.
- Tap on ‘Continue’. (You’re doing great so far, by the way.)
- Finally, select ‘This is My Child’s iPhone’. Unless, of course, you’ve accidentally picked up your phone. In which case, it might be time to take a tech break.
And voila! You have now started the journey of parental control. Feel free to take a moment here to award yourself a Parent Tech Badge of Honor.
Setting Up App Limits
Now that Screen Time is activated, you might want to consider setting up App Limits. You know, just to keep your little angels from spending 24 hours on TikTok. Here’s how:
- Tap on ‘App Limits’.
- Add Limit and choose the category of apps (Social Networking, Games, etc.)
- Set the time limit (I know, deciding on this can be harder than choosing the right filter for your Instagram post.)
Wrapping Up: You’re Now The Master Of iOS Parental Control
And there you have it! You’ve successfully set up parental controls on iOS. Now, you can sleep a bit more peacefully knowing your kiddo isn’t binge-watching Minecraft videos at 2 a.m. or inadvertently purchasing 50 crates of virtual gold on Clash of Clans.
In this digital age, maintaining a balance between screen time and family time can feel like walking a tightrope. But with a few swipes and taps, you’ve taken a step towards reclaiming a bit of control. Remember, tech is our friend, not our foe. So, let’s use it wisely and responsibly.
As a veteran tech journalist, I’ve seen parental controls evolve from mere website blockers to a comprehensive toolset that helps parents in the tech-heavy landscape. It’s a journey, but remember, every great journey starts with a single swipe. Or was that a step? In the tech world, it’s basically the same thing.
