Almost all of us use a mobile or tablet to access the internet. A lot of parents also use these devices to let their children interact with fun, engaging and informative content. This article will focus specifically on Apple products, in particular the iPhone and iPad. For parental control information about specific platforms, such as YouTube and Netflix, please see our other articles and videos!

These devices come with their own parental controls to make sure your child isn’t accessing or changing apps that aren’t appropriate for them, as well as stopping them from accidentally purchasing products on the app store. This also stops them from purchasing microtransactions while already in a certain game (for example, V-Bucks on Fortnite).

So, how do I access parental controls?

Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.

Tap Continue, then choose 'This is My [device]' or 'This is My Child's [device]'.

If you're the parent or guardian on your device and want to prevent another family member from changing your settings, tap ‘Use Screen Time Passcode’ to create a passcode, then re-enter the passcode to confirm. In iOS 13.4 and later, after you confirm your passcode, you'll be asked to enter your Apple ID and password. This can be used to reset your Screen Time passcode if you forget it.

If you're setting up Screen Time on your child's device, follow the prompts until you get to ‘Parent Passcode’. Enter a passcode and re-enter to confirm. In iOS 13.4 and later, after you confirm your passcode, you'll be asked to enter your Apple ID and password. This can be used to reset your Screen Time passcode if you forget it.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If asked, enter your passcode, then turn on Content & Privacy.

Make sure you choose a passcode that's different from the passcode you use to unlock your device. To change or turn off the passcode on your child's device, tap Settings > Screen Time > [your child's name]. Then tap Change Screen Time Passcode or Turn Off Screen Time Passcode and authenticate the change with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.

You can also prevent your child from being able to install or delete apps, make in-app purchases, and more.

To prevent iTunes & App Store purchases or downloads:

Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If asked, enter your passcode.

Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.

Choose a setting and set to ‘Don't Allow’.

You can also change your password settings for additional purchases from the iTunes & App Store or Book Store. Follow steps 1–3, then choose ‘Always Require’ or ‘Don't Require’.

You can also restrict the use of built-in apps or features. If you turn off an app or feature, this won’t delete it, it’s just temporarily hidden from your Home screen. For example, if you turn off ‘Mail’, the Mail app won't appear on your Home Screen until you turn it back on.

To change your Allowed Apps:

Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Enter your Screen Time passcode.

Tap Allowed Apps.

Select the apps you want to allow.

You can also prevent the playback of music with explicit content and films or TV programmes with specific ratings. Apps also have ratings that can be configured using content restrictions.

To restrict explicit content and content ratings:

Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap Content Restrictions.

Choose the settings you want for each feature or setting under Allowed Store Content.

Here are the types of content you can restrict:

Ratings For: Select the country or region in the ratings section to automatically apply the appropriate content ratings for that region.

Music, Podcasts & News: Prevent the playback of music, music videos, podcasts and news containing explicit content.

Music Videos: Prevent finding and viewing music videos.

Music Profiles: Prevent sharing what you're listening to with friends and seeing what they're listening to.

Films: Prevent films with specific ratings.

TV programmes: Prevent TV programmes with specific ratings.

Books: Prevent content with specific ratings.

Apps: Prevent apps with specific ratings.

iOS and iPadOS can filter website content automatically to limit access to adult content in Safari and apps on your device. You can also add specific websites to an approved or blocked list, or you can limit access to only approved websites. Follow these steps:

Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your Screen Time passcode.

Tap Content Restrictions, then tap Web Content.

Choose Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only.

Depending on the access you allow, you may need to add information, such as the website that you want to restrict.

To restrict Siri features:

Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap Content Restrictions.

Scroll down to Siri, then choose your settings.

You can restrict these Siri features:

Web Search Content: Prevent Siri from searching the web when you ask a question.

Explicit Language: Prevent Siri from displaying explicit language.

To restrict Game Center features:

Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap Content Restrictions.

Scroll down to Game Center, then choose your settings.

You can restrict these Game Center features:

Multiplayer Games: Prevent the ability to play multiplayer games with everyone, allow with friends only or allow with anyone.

Adding Friends: Prevent the ability to add friends to Game Center.

Connect with Friends: Prevent the ability to share user's Game Center friend list with third-party games.

Screen Recording: Prevent the ability to take screenshots.

Nearby Multiplayer: Prevent the ability to enable the nearby setting.

Private Messaging: Prevent the ability to voice chat or send or receive custom messages with game and friend invitations.

Profile Privacy Changes: Prevent the ability to change profile privacy settings.

Avatar & Nickname Changes: Prevent the ability to change Game Center avatars and nicknames.

So now you have complete control over what your child can access on your Apple device!

How can I access iPhone and iPad Parental Controls?

Devices make a lot of inappropriate content available to your children. Here’s how to put restrictions in place.