Apple Screen Time is a great tool to set healthy browsing and app limits on iPhones and iPads running iOS 12 or later. Parents can easily set restrictions on the amount of time allowed for different categories of apps. Screen Time works well on personal or even school owned iPads. (Learn more about ScreenTime: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982)
What some people might overlook is Screen Time’s ability to set different restrictions for individual apps rather than being limited to general categories. Some apps may be more difficult for us or our children to put down.
You can find this ability by looking in the time usage summary and selecting on a specific app. The steps below show how app specific time limits can be set for a gaming app on the iPhone. You can use these same steps for other apps on iPhones and iPads with iOS or iPadOS installed and Screen Time enabled.
Steps:
- 1. Click on the device name above the Screen Time summary to open additional reports.
- 2. Click on the device name above the Screen Time summary to open additional reportsTap on “Most Used” and then select the app you want, in this example we are selecting Blizzard’s Hearthstone card game app. (I was hooked on it for a while and needed to set some boundaries! ?) This will pull up app specific time use and daily average reports.
- 3. Tap on “Most Used” and then select the app you want, in this example we are selecting Blizzard’s Hearthstone card game app. This will pull up app specific time use and daily average reports.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and select “Add Limit”
- Dial in the time limit. You can even customize different limits for specific days. Be sure to tap on “Add” when so save the setting.
When finished, you should see a new limit for the app on your screen.
I’ve been using Screen Time to set personal device limits since its beta release last summer. This feature provides a wonderful opportunity for parents and individuals to set healthy limits and begin having conversations around technology use.
Resources to Learn More About Apple Screen Time:
Screen Time Basics
Setting Up Screen Time
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982
“If it’s your child’s device, you can set up Screen Time and create settings right on their device”
“You can also create a dedicated passcode to secure settings, so only you can extend time or make changes.”
Or you can use Family Sharing to configure your child’s device from your own device. After you set up your child’s device, you can also use Family Sharing to view reports and adjust settings any time, right from your own device.” – Note, family sharing cannot be used on a school owned iPad if Managed Apple IDs for education are used.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201088
