Does Apple Downtime really stop after they turn 13??

[anna38anna]

On the phone to the Apple Helpdesk this morning (after discovering DD13 on her phone at midnight), I was informed that now that she has turned 13, her Apple ID has changed from child status to - what? hardly Adult status? and I can no longer use my Screentime passcode to set downtime limits. I asked the helpline agent 3 times if this could possibly be true, was gobsmacked. She assured me it is the case. Please can someone set me right on this point? I am driven distracted trying and failing to apply reasonable boundaries to devices and Wifi.

Be gentle please, I'm not a regular poster but appreciate being able to call on the pool of many other parents of teenagers.

No. That is entirely wrong. In fact Screen Time restrictions can apply even to devices used by adults over 21.

Screen Time is not limited by the age of the user. Screen Time settings can be applied either directly on the device or through Family sharing regardless of age.

See here: support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-up-parental-controls-iph00ba7d632/ios

The only option limited by age is Ask to Buy. It cannot be turned on for accounts with an age over 18. But if it's turned on before the age of 18, it can remain turn on past 18 indefinitely. Once turned off after the age of 18, it cannot be turned on again however.

For Screen Time, make sure it has a password set, and the child does not know it, and also that Downtime and App Limits are correctly set. If the child knows the Screen Time passcode, they can just bypass the limits set.

I had to reset the parental controls when dd turned 13 as they are different, but we still have downtime on DD’s phone and iPad.

I am driven distracted trying and failing to apply reasonable boundaries to devices and Wifi.

She leaves it with you when she goes to bed?

What settings changes when they turn 13?

Birthday coming up!!

Yes just make her give all her devices to you at whatever time you set? Surely that's the easiest way to stop use overnight.

You should be able to override the downtime settings. DH manages the access, security and permissions re. our soon to be 13yo DD.

At the very least you need to take her devices away from her at least one hour before bedtime. Set a daily reminder on your phone so you won’t forget.