12 Ways Children Are Bypassing Screen Time on iPhone and iPad 2024
As parents, you know how important it is to monitor your children’s screen time. With the rise of technology, it’s become increasingly difficult to keep an eye on what your children are doing online. Apple’s Screen Time feature is a great tool that can help you limit your children’s device usage. However, children are smart and they’ve found ways to bypass Screen Time. In this article, we will discuss 12 ways children are bypassing Screen Time on iPhone and iPad and what you can do to prevent it.
Common Ways Children Are Bypassing Screen Time on iPhone
Apple’s Screen Time feature allows you to set limits on your children’s device usage. However, children have found ways to bypass these controls. Here are some of the common ways children are bypassing Screen Time on iPhone.
1. Asking for One More Minute
One of the simplest ways children bypass Screen Time parental controls is by asking for One More Minute. When the screen time limit is reached, the device will lock and a message will appear stating that the time limit has been reached. Children have found that if they ask for just one more minute, the device will unlock and they can continue using it.
It’s no secret that many children take advantage of this loophole, allowing themselves hours more screen time than their parents allow them. Also, Apple does not offer a way to disable the “wait one more minute” prompt. If your children use this method to get around screen time restrictions, you might consider switching them to an Android phone.
2. YouTube Restriction Bypassing via iMessage
Another way children are bypassing Screen Time on iPhone or iPad is by using the iMessage widget for YouTube. This widget allows users to watch YouTube videos without having to unlock their devices. Children have found that if they add the widget to their device and then lock it, they can continue watching YouTube videos even after their screen time limit has been reached. However, setting up parental controls on YouTube is necessary to provide your children with a safe digital experience. If you want to block YouTube completely, you can try iKeyMonitor parental control app.
3. Changing the Time Zone
Children have also found that they can bypass Screen Time limits by changing the time zone of their devices. By changing the time zone, they can trick the device into thinking that it’s a different time and continue using it even after their screen time limit has been reached. For example, you allow apps and games between 5 pm and 9 pm, but your child might change the time zone in the date and time settings. For example, after changing the time zone, the device shows 5 pm while it is actually just 3 pm. So it’s unlocked now!
4. Deleting and Reinstalling Apps
Another common way children bypass Screen Time is by deleting and re-installing apps. When an app is deleted and re-installed, the time limits for that app are reset, allowing children to continue using it even after their screen time limit has been reached. If you notice that your child is removing time restrictions on specific apps, go to Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases and disable the ability to install and delete apps.
5. Sharing Messages
It is possible for your children to use the “share” feature of many apps to send messages to get around the time limit. For example, with the “Share to Messages” feature of a screenshot, they can bring up the messaging app. In the Contacts app, they can also choose to share the contacts via text. In a similar manner, they will also be able to access iMessage.
6. Using Siri to Disable Screen Time
Siri can also be used to unlock iPhone Screen Time limits. Children have found that if they ask Siri to send a message after their time limit has been reached, Siri will unlock the device, and they can continue using it. To disable Siri, go to Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and toggle off Siri & Dictation.
7. Factory Reset
If your children factory reset their devices. This will erase all data on the device, including Screen Time limits. So, you should make sure that you’re using your own Apple ID on the device, not your child’s. Additionally, you should check Screen Time metrics frequently. If the device has been reset, some indicators will definitely be abnormal.
8. Adding a New Fingerprint
If your child knows the device passcode, they can add a fingerprint in the “Passcode & Touch ID” section in settings. Then, they can easily unlock their iOS device and adjust Screen Time settings as desired. You can prevent this from happening by setting a master password for Screen Time and never sharing it with your children.
9. Watching Recorded Videos to Steal Screen Time Password
By using the phone’s screen recording feature, children can steal Screen Time passcodes and use them to bypass iPhone parental controls. So whenever your child returns to the device, you should remember to check whether there is a flashing red icon in the navigation bar in the upper left corner of the phone. If so, it means your child secretly records screen activities. Of course, you can disable this feature by going to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Screen Recording > Don’t Allow.
10. Hacking Password
In order to bypass the Screen Time restriction, children can use software downloaded to the device and sift through an iTunes backup file to get the 4-digit passcode.
11. Retrieving Messages After Downtime
When Downtime is activated, children can still access Messages by replying to a message notification on the lock screen. It is impossible to solve this vulnerability unless you disable all message notifications completely.
12. Using In-App Browsers to Bypass App Limits
Children can launch Safari from third-party apps built into the browser. For example, if a child opens Gmail or Facebook Messenger and clicks on a link, the app’s web view will open a new window in a browser. Even though the address bar is automatic in the app, children can still click on links or send links to the app that provides access to the browser.
To address this vulnerability, you can restrict access to certain websites on your child’s device. Go to the Settings app and tap Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content and tap “Allowed Websites Only.” Then you can configure the customized list of websites your child can access.
Monitor Children’s Devices to Prevent Bypassing Screen Time Limits
Children today are growing up in a digital world. They are exposed to technology at a young age and spend a significant amount of time on their devices. While technology has its benefits, excessive screen time can have negative effects on children’s physical and mental health. It can lead to obesity, poor sleep, and behavioral problems. It’s important for you to monitor children’s Screen Time and set limits to ensure they are not spending too much time on their devices.
Prevent Children From Bypassing Screen Time on iPhone/iPad with iKeyMonitor
iKeyMonitor is an all-in-one parental control app that helps you monitor children’s screen activities and protect them from online predators, scams, cyberbullying, and other dangers. In addition to monitoring, iKeyMonitor provides a number of control features, such as time limits for screen time, blocking certain apps, and setting bedtime and homework limits.
- Monitor calls, WhatsApp, Wechat, Web browsing
- Limit screen time for certain apps
- Block apps on iPhone and iPad
- Set bedtime/homework time lockups
Installing iKeyMonitor on iPhone/iPad requires jailbreaking the device. The jailbreak guide can be found at: https://ijailbreakguide.com
Conclusion
As technology continues to advance, it’s becoming increasingly important for parents to monitor their children’s screen time. While children are finding ways to bypass iPhone/iPad Screen Time parental controls, there are tools available to help parents keep their children safe online. By using a parental control app like iKeyMonitor, parents can monitor their children’s device usage and set limits to ensure they are not spending too much time on their devices.
Tags: bypass iPhone parental controls, bypass Screen Time limits, bypass Screen Time on iPhone, bypass Screen Time on iPhone and iPad, bypass Screen Time parental controls
Category: Parental Control Tips
