What is going on with Screen Time that parents should be worried about?
The iPhone Screen Time app
According to Stern, two security researchers have been complaining to Apple since 2021 about a Screen Time bug that was allowing children to access blocked websites. Stern also had this issue as she was able to use her son’s iPad to visit what she called “the most X-rated parts of the internet” even though she used Screen Time to restrict her son from visiting most websites.
The Journal scribe spoke with Apple and was told that Screen Time issues were fixed with the latest iOS update to version 17.5.1. Still, problems persist. Stern says that app limits don’t work. For example, when a one-hour time limit to use Instagram expires, the app can still be opened and accessed. The screen usage chart appears blank or is inaccurate, Stern says, and she also doesn’t receive time and app requests.
We could hear some news next Monday during WWDC 2024 about plans Apple might have to improve Screen Time with iOS 18. The eagerly-awaited Keynote will start at 10 am PDT/1 pm EDT on June 10th. It does seems unlikely that Screen Time would get an AI makeover like some other apps will receive (Siri, Notes, Messages, Safari, and Voice Memos to name a few).
How to set up Screen Time for your child on your own iPhone or iPad
If you do restrict your child’s access to the internet using Screen Time, you should follow Stern’s example. When you have an opportunity to do so, make sure that your kid’s iPhone and iPad cannot access the sites and apps that you have blocked.
You can configure your child’s Screen Time settings directly from your own iPhone or iPad
To activate Screen Time on your Apple device, go to Settings > Screen Time. Then tap on App & Website Activity, and then tap on Turn On App & Website Activity. You can configure your child’s Screen Time settings by tapping on Set Up Screen Time for Family to set up Family sharing. Once you have done this, you can use Family Sharing to view reports and change settings. Screen Time child accounts can be created by a parent or a legal guardian for children 12 or under.
