← Back to Guides
All iPhone Models (Parents)
iPhone Screen Time & Parental Controls 2026
Screen Time is Apple's built-in parental controls. Free, powerful, works for kids 2-22. Here's how to set up time limits, block adult content, and approve all app purchases. Plus the limits kids will try to bypass.
⚡ Family-Friendly Tech
Layer with Screen Time for full control.
Bark Family Phone Monitoring
AI-powered text monitoring
Check Price →
AI-powered text monitoring
Cost Breakdown — All Options
| Where | Cost | Wait | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| App Limits | Free | Daily allowance per category | Games 1hr, social 30min |
| Downtime | Free | Block apps in window | Bedtime/school hours |
| Content Filter | Free | Block adult web/apps | Safari + App Store filter |
| Ask to Buy | Free | Parent approves purchases | Required for child Apple ID |
Setting Up Screen Time on Kid's iPhone
- Settings → Screen Time → 'Set Up Screen Time for Family'
- Pick the kid → set up Family Sharing if not done
- Set Downtime: 9pm-7am during school year
- Set App Limits: Games 1hr/day, Social Media 30min/day
- Always Allowed: Phone, Messages, Maps, Education apps
- Set Content & Privacy Restrictions
Best App Limits for Different Ages
- Ages 6-9: Games 30 min/day, no social media, no in-app purchases
- Ages 10-13: Games 1 hr/day, supervised messaging, no TikTok
- Ages 14-16: Games 1 hr/day, social 1 hr, location sharing on
- Ages 17-18: Honor system + check-ins, no enforced limits
Content Filters (Critical)
Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy → Content Restrictions:
- Web Content: 'Limit Adult Websites' (blocks 95% of porn)
- App Store: Age 12+ for kids 9-12, Age 17+ for older
- Music: Clean only
- Movies: PG/PG-13 max for tweens
Tricks Kids Use to Bypass
- Changing time zone — disable in Privacy
- Asking Siri to disable Screen Time — set Siri restrictions too
- Using Safari incognito — disable Private Browsing in restrictions
- Deleting + reinstalling — disable app deletion
Set a Screen Time Passcode (Different from iPhone Passcode)
Critical: Screen Time passcode should be different from kid's iPhone passcode. Otherwise they can disable everything. Settings → Screen Time → Use Screen Time Passcode → set 4-digit number kid doesn't know.
Mail-In Repair Service
Don't have time to wait for Apple? We offer mail-in repair with overnight return shipping.