While all the measures we can put in place can be hacked or a workaround can be found, Apple has tried to help. The latest operating system, which unfortunately will not work on very old devices, iOS 12, allows you to monitor and control screen time on your own device and on your children’s devices. The Washington Post’s Geoffrey A. Fowler takes you through the feature in the video below.
I have set screen time restrictions on my son’s device and have discussed the restrictions with him. He has queried certain restrictions and I have either explained them to him or adjusted the settings to suit his requests. I have had to set the restrictions physically on his device even though I have family sharing on. Note: it is important to have a discussion with your child about why you need to set and apply the restrictions and have their input like “Is an hour ok for you during the week for specific apps?” “Why do you think you need this much time for this app?” Set the boundaries that suit you and your child in order to maintain a good relationship, not a boundary that you have heard someone set at their house.
What I found important for me was that based on the settings I applied, my son cannot use his iPad from a certain time in the evening to a certain time in the morning. He is still not allowed to sleep with his device in his room though. I also removed the ability to sign out of his iTunes account or Apple ID (in-case he lets someone else sign into his device and install an app I would not approve of). Please keep in mind, all these settings are meant to guide him. They are not an ultimate solution that makes me feel covered and secure.
For more information about screen time, you can read my article, How much Screen Time Is Ok For My Children from last week's Oryx.
What I found important for me was that based on the settings I applied, my son cannot use his iPad from a certain time in the evening to a certain time in the morning. He is still not allowed to sleep with his device in his room though. I also removed the ability to sign out of his iTunes account or Apple ID (in-case he lets someone else sign into his device and install an app I would not approve of). Please keep in mind, all these settings are meant to guide him. They are not an ultimate solution that makes me feel covered and secure.
For more information about screen time, you can read my article, How much Screen Time Is Ok For My Children from last week's Oryx.