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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

iPhone app usage

10 replies

Troubledteen · 19/12/2022 23:51

I'm still desperately trying to get the screen time on my DDs phone to correlate with my phone.

Does anyone on here track their DCs iPhone screen time? Would you mind giving me some advice?

I'm trying to limit screen time per days, and specifically limit certain app usage each day. I would consider myself to be fairly tech savvy, but I just can't get it to work?! 🥴

OP posts:
mimosaaa · 20/12/2022 00:00

I work in tech myself, and I have also been trying to set up the kids phones to limit screen usage and monitor it and it is so hard to do. Even when I thought I had managed to do it, it turns out it's not working properly.

It seems to me that phone companies are putting children at risk every day by not making this easier

Original poster
Troubledteen · 20/12/2022 00:03

She used to have an Android, and I had the Google app, which worked perfectly. So, so easy to see what she was doing and turn it off/set a time limit.

But since she had her iPhone, it just doesn't work the same way. I've tried ensuring she's got the same version updated. She has also lied in the past about it working, only for me to find out recently that she's been on it when she shouldn't be.

You're right that the phone companies should be more responsible in this area. Even though I have a contract for her phone, I'm tempted to go back to an android.

OP posts:
lailamaria · 20/12/2022 03:35

how old is she op just wondering before i give advice because age obviously factors in how tech savy they are

Original poster
Troubledteen · 20/12/2022 07:47

She's 13, Laila

OP posts:
FrangipaniBlue · 20/12/2022 08:15

If you both have iPhones it's fairly easy to set up.

Add your DC as family members on your Apple account and follow the instructions.

DS cannot download any apps with me getting a notification to approve. He also can't purchase anything.

I can control all of his screen time from my phone. It's currently set that between a certain time at night and the morning he can only use certain apps (eg texts/phone calls).

I can restrict what websites he can use (or not).

I can also see how much time he has spent on his phone (and his iPad) and which a page has spent the most time using.

WuTangGran · 20/12/2022 08:21

FrangipaniBlue · 20/12/2022 08:15

If you both have iPhones it's fairly easy to set up.

Add your DC as family members on your Apple account and follow the instructions.

DS cannot download any apps with me getting a notification to approve. He also can't purchase anything.

I can control all of his screen time from my phone. It's currently set that between a certain time at night and the morning he can only use certain apps (eg texts/phone calls).

I can restrict what websites he can use (or not).

I can also see how much time he has spent on his phone (and his iPad) and which a page has spent the most time using.

How do you stop him setting up his own Apple ID? It’s easy to switch between them.

FrangipaniBlue · 20/12/2022 09:27

@WuTangGran

  1. he doesn't know the password for the Apple ID I set up for him. If he created his own and logged out of the main one then he wouldn't be able to log back in without asking me.

  2. it would be obvious from his app usage that he was using another account if he was switching during the day, as it would suddenly go down.

  3. we have a no phones in bedroom after bedtime rule so no opportunity for him to switch late at night.

  4. education about why having time away from phones and iPads is important and open discussions about the risks that are out there with the internet and social media.

  5. trust.

Original poster
Troubledteen · 20/12/2022 12:48

FrangipaniBlue · 20/12/2022 08:15

If you both have iPhones it's fairly easy to set up.

Add your DC as family members on your Apple account and follow the instructions.

DS cannot download any apps with me getting a notification to approve. He also can't purchase anything.

I can control all of his screen time from my phone. It's currently set that between a certain time at night and the morning he can only use certain apps (eg texts/phone calls).

I can restrict what websites he can use (or not).

I can also see how much time he has spent on his phone (and his iPad) and which a page has spent the most time using.

I have done all of this.

It gives me delayed information and even with limits applied, she's allowed to go over them? EG, I can see on the account I have set a 1 hour Snapchat limit per day, but she's already gone over it today and is still on the app.

No idea what's going on. Might need a trip to the Apple Store.

OP posts:
FrangipaniBlue · 20/12/2022 13:13

Does she know the passcode / password? If so, she could be lifting the restrictions herself?

Other than that it does sound like maybe something isn't working right.....

Original poster
Troubledteen · 20/12/2022 13:25

I don't think she does. Occasionally they work correctly and she is blocked out of some apps - so surely she would just unblock herself every time.

I think I'll pop into an Apple Store to try and figure it out. Thanks for your help 😊

OP posts:
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