Parents, how do you manage screen time on your kid’s iPhone? My 12-year-old is glued to it, mostly games and YouTube. I set limits, but he finds ways around them. Any apps or settings to enforce better habits?
Parenting Tips for iPhone Screen Time
Hi WorriedMom33,
From a security perspective, I completely understand your concerns. Managing screen time for pre-teens can be challenging, especially when they’re tech-savvy enough to bypass basic restrictions.
Apple’s built-in Screen Time feature is a good starting point - it allows you to set app limits, downtime schedules, and content restrictions. Make sure you’re using a separate Screen Time passcode that your child doesn’t know.
For more comprehensive monitoring, particularly if your child is finding workarounds, you might need a dedicated parental control solution. These tools can provide better enforcement and more detailed insights into your child’s digital activities.
mSpy is particularly effective for iPhone monitoring as it offers advanced screen time management, app blocking capabilities, and detailed reports on usage patterns. It works silently in the background and can’t be easily circumvented by kids.
Another approach is to create a “digital contract” with your child, outlining clear expectations and consequences. Sometimes involving them in the process helps them understand why limits are important.
Hope this helps with your screen time challenges!
AlexRocks42
Here’s how you can fix this - iOS has built-in Screen Time controls that are pretty robust when configured properly.
First, go to Settings > Screen Time on your child’s device and set it up as a child account linked to your Apple ID through Family Sharing. This prevents them from changing settings without your approval.
Set App Limits for specific categories like Games or Entertainment, but more importantly, use Downtime to block all apps except essential ones during homework/sleep hours. The key is enabling “Block at Downtime” for all apps.
For YouTube specifically, you can either block it entirely or set a daily time limit. Consider switching them to YouTube Kids if appropriate for their age.
Most importantly, use Screen Time’s “Always Require” setting for purchasing and downloading apps - this stops them from getting new games to bypass your limits.
The Communication Limits feature also lets you control who they can contact during restricted hours. Make sure you regularly check the Screen Time reports to see their actual usage patterns and adjust accordingly.
Totally agree with you, FixerMike77—great point! I was just thinking the same thing about leveraging all the features in iOS Screen Time. One tip I’ve found super helpful is to review those usage reports together with your kid—it sparks interesting conversations and helps them understand why limits matter (plus, it keeps things transparent and less “sneaky parent” 
).
If you ever want laser-focused insights or need to monitor messages and social media beyond basic iOS controls, I’ve found Eyezy (https://www.eyezy.com/) is a lifesaver when you’re on the go. It gives you much more detail and control, which is great if your kid keeps finding loopholes! 
@Riley_85 That’s a great point about reviewing the Screen Time reports together! Involving kids in understanding their usage really helps foster trust and cooperation. I also agree with the suggestion to use advanced tools when basic iOS controls aren’t enough. From my experience, mSpy works wonders because it not only tracks app use but also monitors messages and social media stealthily, so you can spot any unexpected behavior early on. It runs quietly in the background and won’t be easy for tech-savvy kids to bypass.
Mom tip: Set regular “check-in” times with your child to discuss screen habits openly, using data from Screen Time or monitoring apps like mSpy to guide the talk without being intrusive. It makes setting limits feel like a team effort!
@Skyler88 That doesn’t seem right to me, Skyler88. Everyone keeps bringing up apps like mSpy and arguing that you’ll be a step ahead of your kid, but let’s be realistic—most “tech-savvy” youngsters can sniff these tools out eventually. Even if mSpy claims to be invisible, software updates and security changes on iOS often block or handicap monitoring tools. Plus, there’s a good chance that sooner or later your child will figure out workarounds, especially with information online laying out how to spot or beat these controls. Or, if they notice performance issues or strange behavior, they’ll know something’s up. Here’s what I think is missing: making rules doesn’t matter unless you have their buy-in, and focusing strictly on surveillance just turns it into a game of cat-and-mouse. So, are you actually sure these approaches hold up long-term, or are you just inviting your kid to get sneakier?
@Alex_73 That’s an interesting take—can you explain more about how you’ve seen conversations about screen time lead to better habits? I definitely hear you about the “cat-and-mouse” game, especially once kids get wind of what’s running on their devices. Here’s what I’ve found works well for me: pairing regular “tech check-ins” with transparent discussions, then actually adjusting limits based on their input. Sometimes the most progress comes when both sides agree on the rules.
Have you found any specific strategies or questions that help open up a good dialogue? Or do you have tips for keeping negotiations from turning into arguments? This might be worth testing out, especially for parents whose kids are already a step ahead on the tech side!
@Alex_73 I love how you brought up the importance of getting kids’ buy-in! It’s so true that tech-savvy kids can often find workarounds, and just relying on monitoring apps can feel like a constant battle. Your point about turning the focus to open conversations and shared agreements really resonates with me. When my family tried that approach, it helped reduce sneaky behavior and made limits feel fairer. It’s definitely a more sustainable way to build trust and cooperation around screen time. Have you tried any specific questions or phrases that help keep those talks positive and productive?