My 2 cents: I don't think it's useful to fight this with technical means. He obviously wants to be on his phone. Find other ways to incentivize him. Don't punish him or block him. That's not gonna lead anywhere.
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How is My Child Bypassing My 1 Hour Daily Limit with TikTok? (He’s Currently at 3 Hours)
- Thread starter HappyDude20
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My 2 cents: I don't think it's useful to fight this with technical means. He obviously wants to be on his phone. Find other ways to incentivize him. Don't punish him or block him. That's not gonna lead anywhere.
I agree. I think him having an iPhone starting at such a young age was wrong in retrospect.
Even way back when he was a toddler I have photos of him as a baby with a first generation iPad and he knew which kids apps to open and use. At the time it seemed like a convenient way to babysit but now I truly regret it.
I have Screen Time set up on my son's devices (he's a teen). Somehow, he blows past the limits all the time and I have no idea how. I've reset every dang thing but he keeps using more time.
I've read several articles on online and on Apple.com's support to troubleshoot this; no luck.
More disturbing, I learned he has DuckDuckGo privacy browser. He said he'd removed it; yet, he's used it for *hours.* Thing is, last time I saw that it was among his apps I'd set a 1 min. time limit. Not sure how he was able to reinstall it. When he's back with me we'll be dealing with this more directly (and I don't get ugly, so don't be alarmed).
Anyway, it seems like iOS screen time is full of holes.
I may have to create for him an all-new Apple ID. Not sure that'll help though.
I've read several articles on online and on Apple.com's support to troubleshoot this; no luck.
More disturbing, I learned he has DuckDuckGo privacy browser. He said he'd removed it; yet, he's used it for *hours.* Thing is, last time I saw that it was among his apps I'd set a 1 min. time limit. Not sure how he was able to reinstall it. When he's back with me we'll be dealing with this more directly (and I don't get ugly, so don't be alarmed).
Anyway, it seems like iOS screen time is full of holes.
I may have to create for him an all-new Apple ID. Not sure that'll help though.
Did you change the Screen Time passcode? Maybe he knows it? Also, you can disable the ability to install apps and delete apps if you like, which would not allow him to install the DuckDuckGo browser. I set up Screen Time for my two younger sisters, and they haven't been able to get past any of the restrictions. If you need more help or have more questions, please ask I can perhaps do a screen recording to show you how to set up Screen Time in a manner that should be relatively safe proof from your son being able to bypass the restrictions.
Also, if you don't want to completely disable the App Store, you can set an age limit—if you set it to no apps that are "17 +," then he would not be able to install DuckDuckGo because it is considered a 17+ due to the unrestricted internet access.
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I don't think it has ever worked properly. I used to use it for myself to track my own usage and it was never right.
I just don't think it picks up everything especially certain apps.
I'm afraid the best solution is to have a time every day when they have to hand in the devices. Difficult if you are not there but it's the only thing that really works.
You can use the router to lock them out over certain times of the day but they can get round everything with 4G.
Screen time doesn't work and neither do any of the parental controls type things including the Apple ones whatever they call them now. If you set the limit for say 8pm, if they are using the device at 8pm it won't shut it off it just won't allow them to log in if they are already off. Almost useless.
I found setting an alarm at a certain time and then they are expected to hand everything in. No excuses about homework they had time to do that before the alarm. They have to get used to it and having an alarm stops a lot of arguing.
It's a major parent headache.
I just don't think it picks up everything especially certain apps.
I'm afraid the best solution is to have a time every day when they have to hand in the devices. Difficult if you are not there but it's the only thing that really works.
You can use the router to lock them out over certain times of the day but they can get round everything with 4G.
Screen time doesn't work and neither do any of the parental controls type things including the Apple ones whatever they call them now. If you set the limit for say 8pm, if they are using the device at 8pm it won't shut it off it just won't allow them to log in if they are already off. Almost useless.
I found setting an alarm at a certain time and then they are expected to hand everything in. No excuses about homework they had time to do that before the alarm. They have to get used to it and having an alarm stops a lot of arguing.
It's a major parent headache.
Yes… and also you wrote, “This is very upsetting.” If all the above is true, the question is not how do I figure out this weird hacking situation? The question is, why do you insist on continuing to pay for the kid’s phone service, devices, etc.?
No disrespect intended. As a new parent I believe it will be difficult for me to avoid what I see my sister and most parents doing re: relying on (their own) phones as babysitting. So time will tell in my case. (Easy for me to give advice; not so easy in coming years for me to take my own advice.)
But honestly I can’t believe no one (almost no one) has mentioned this so far in the thread’s 3 pages.
I agree with this strongly… more talking to him/her, less puzzling over it online. It sounds like you are away from home semi-regularly so that poses a big challenge re: the previous sentence, but still, not a bad goal. Assuming of course you understandably are not open to just pulling the plug on internet service etc.
Also not sure if you mentioned your child’s age? That would help contextualize the situation somewhat.