As a parent, monitoring your child’s screen time is essential. With technology becoming an even bigger part of their lives, keeping track of what they’re doing online has become more challenging. While Apple’s Screen Time feature is a useful tool to limit device usage, children are getting clever and finding ways around it. In this article, we’ll explore 12 common ways kids are bypassing Screen Time on iPhone and iPad, and what you can do to stop them.
Apple’s Screen Time feature is a great way to limit your child’s device usage, but children have become quite creative in finding ways to bypass these restrictions. Here are 12 common ways kids are bypassing Screen Time on iPhone.
One of the simplest ways children bypass Screen Time parental controls is by asking for “one more minute” when their screen time limit is reached. By doing this, they can continue using their device without waiting for the limit to reset. Apple doesn’t allow you to disable this prompt, so be cautious if your child uses this to get more screen time.
Another way children are bypassing Screen Time on iPhone or iPad is by using the iMessage widget for YouTube. Kids have found that they can watch YouTube videos without unlocking their devices by using the iMessage widget. By adding it to their home screen, they can continue watching videos even after their Screen Time limit has been reached. For better control, consider using parental control apps like iKeyMonitor to block YouTube entirely.
By changing the time zone settings, kids can trick the device into thinking it’s a different time, allowing them to use it beyond the allowed screen time. For example, after adjusting the time zone, they can keep using the device even though they’ve hit the limit.
Another common way children bypass iPhone Screen Time is by deleting and re-installing apps. When kids delete and reinstall apps, the time limits on those apps get reset. This allows them to use apps, like games or social media, without the usual restrictions. To prevent this, go to Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases and disable the ability to install and delete apps.
Some apps let kids share content directly to Messages, bypassing Screen Time restrictions on iPhone and iPad. For example, they can send a screenshot or contact details to a message thread and access apps like iMessage, even if they’ve reached their limit.
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.
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.
If your child knows the device passcode, they can add their fingerprint under “Passcode & Touch ID.” This lets them bypass the Screen Time settings and make adjustments to the device. To prevent this, set a master password for Screen Time and keep it private.
Children have found that they can use the screen recording feature to capture and steal the Screen Time passcode. Always check for the flashing red recording icon in the upper left corner of the screen. To disable this feature, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Screen Recording > Don’t Allow.
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.
Even during Downtime, children can still reply to message notifications directly from the lock screen. The only way to fix this is to disable all message notifications completely or use third-party parental control apps to restrict access.
Kids can open an in-app browser by clicking links in apps like Gmail or Facebook Messenger. This lets them bypass website restrictions and access websites you’ve blocked on Safari. You can prevent this by restricting website access in Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Web Content and setting it to “Allowed Websites Only.”
iKeyMonitor is the best parental control app designed to help you keep track of your child’s screen activity while protecting them from online threats like predators, scams, and cyberbullying. Beyond monitoring, iKeyMonitor offers a range of useful features, including setting time limits for phone screens, blocking specific apps, and enforcing bedtime or homework restrictions. This makes it easier for you to ensure your child uses their device safely and responsibly.
iKeyMonitor gives you the ability to track all incoming and outgoing calls, text messages, and chats on popular apps such as WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook, etc. This ensures you can monitor who your child is communicating with and if there are any potential red flags, like conversations with strangers or inappropriate content.
You can set specific time limits for individual apps, ensuring your child spends only the designated amount of time on apps like social media, gaming, or video streaming. If they exceed the allotted time, iKeyMonitor will lock the app, helping to prevent excessive screen time.
Some apps may be distracting, inappropriate, or simply not suitable for your child. iKeyMonitor allows you to block access to certain apps or games altogether, so your child can’t access them, whether during study hours or when they should be focusing on other tasks.
With iKeyMonitor, you can schedule automatic device lock-ups during critical times, like during bedtime or when your child should be focused on homework. These scheduled lock-ups ensure that your child can’t use their device at inappropriate times.
Installing iKeyMonitor on iPhone/iPad requires jailbreaking the device. The jailbreak guide can be found at: https://ijailbreakguide.com
As technology evolves, it’s more important than ever for parents to monitor their kids’ screen time. While children can be clever at bypassing Screen Time controls on iPhones and iPads, tools like iKeyMonitor make it easier for parents to stay in control. With iKeyMonitor, you can monitor device usage, set time limits, and ensure your child is using their device safely.