Lilia2

Q: Parental controls/time restrictions on iPhone

I can safely say that my daughter's iPhone has ruined our lives.  We've had it for five days.  Yes, there are some built-in parental controls, but Apple has blocked anybody from offering a software program that will turn the dang thing off (I'm talking about texting and calling) at a certain time every night.  I have a daughter who is addicted to her phone and the battles are humongous to get her to do anything but text. 

 

There are plenty of good programs with good parental controls for the Android and Blackberry, but thanks Apple for not allowing us as parents to turn the phone off at night.  I know about Mobicip, which is a great company, but they can only turn the internet off, not texting or calling.  When you have a kid who can and will text 5,000 texts a month, we need something that eliminates the battles at home and can automatically turn the thing off when it's bedtime.  We're all losing sleep.  Most parents, when they get an iPhone for their kid, don't realize that Apple, unlike Android, has chosen to place more importance on children's privacy than parent's ability to place restrictions on their kids' phones.  I plan to take the iPhone back and get her an Android.

iPhone 4S, iOS 4.3.3, Time restrictions?

Posted on Mar 27, 2012 7:49 AM

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Q: Parental controls/time restrictions on iPhone

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  • by rvalia,

    rvalia rvalia Jun 9, 2014 8:54 PM in response to Lilia2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 9, 2014 8:54 PM in response to Lilia2

    I think your point that Apple does not allow control to developers to do what a subset of its users want is at the heart of the issue. Android has multiple parental control applications that allow, monitoring usage in almost all situations and using technology to set limits on what is allowed by time, apps, data, cell usuage.

     

    When you have a smartphone, you need a smart solution. The Apple bigots will never blame Apple. They will just wait for Apple to announce a break through new capability in 5 years which Android users would have had for a decade by then. Good luck with those iPhones. Give your kids an Android and take control back.

  • by Grandmstrbud,

    Grandmstrbud Grandmstrbud Jun 11, 2014 5:44 PM in response to Lilia2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 11, 2014 5:44 PM in response to Lilia2

    How can I set a time limit say 1 to 2 hours usage a day? The one app i tried does NOT work. You can still use the iPad it just gives constant notifications so big deal it still works. Stupid apple they have it on MAC so why not iOS?

  • by chattphotos,

    chattphotos chattphotos Jun 11, 2014 6:36 PM in response to Grandmstrbud
    Level 4 (2,447 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 11, 2014 6:36 PM in response to Grandmstrbud

    Time limit eh? 

     

    Simple, let the kids know it's time and if needed, take the device from them.

     

    iOS was designed for adults, responsible usage should be encouraged through discipline and rewarding methods.

     

    If you're seeking for an app to do your work for you, stop being lazy and start being a parent!

  • by Grandmstrbud,

    Grandmstrbud Grandmstrbud Jun 11, 2014 6:41 PM in response to chattphotos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 11, 2014 6:41 PM in response to chattphotos

    So MAC's are meant more for kids and iOS devices are only meant for adults? If it's designed for "Adults" then why are they used in schools as early as kindergarten?

     

    PS, Thanks for the parenting advice.....

  • by chattphotos,

    chattphotos chattphotos Jun 12, 2014 7:54 AM in response to Grandmstrbud
    Level 4 (2,447 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 12, 2014 7:54 AM in response to Grandmstrbud

    You've twisted it...

     

    Mac's have more parental control options because the software running has many more ways it can be customized, monitiored, and managed for a kid-safe environment.

     

    My original intent was that you have to educate your kids on responsibility and that the iPad is not a toy, but a tool for learning.

     

    So it still stands, be a parent, don't use an app.

     

    To clarify my iOS statement:

    iPads are great educational tools... when managed by adults.

    iPhones are designed to be used by adults.

  • by Szabo7,

    Szabo7 Szabo7 Dec 25, 2014 4:19 AM in response to Lilia2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 25, 2014 4:19 AM in response to Lilia2

    I Soooooo hear u the **** fight of taking the phone every night and the arguments about chatting with friends and the cost of the bill  I am in the same boat  and it's called tenage years you are Damed if you do and Damed if you Dont so please stop telling this lady to step up and be a better parent but instead try seing that she is being a parent with concerns   Kids have phones for different reasons and taking it off them is not always the solution I live rural and it's the only way my kids socialise but I find that it cost me a lot and would like to cap the contact  so instead of giving this person your bad parent thoughts maybe try putting your self into her shoes

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Dec 25, 2014 6:42 AM in response to Szabo7
    Level 9 (59,674 points)
    iPhone
    Dec 25, 2014 6:42 AM in response to Szabo7

    You're resurrecting a thread that's been dead for six months and for what? Just to stir things up again? It was difficult to tell as, without any punctuation, your post was a challenge to read. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if that includes thinking the OP is a bad or inadequate parent (note that I am not expressing my own opinion with that statement).

     

    Do you have any technical solutions or software suggestions to add?

  • by pdqgp,

    pdqgp pdqgp Feb 1, 2015 7:33 AM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 1, 2015 7:33 AM in response to Meg St._Clair

    This thread was an interesting read and one part of me isn't surprised that I'm here looking for the solutions discussed.   I am surprised that it's now 2015, iOS 8.x is out and these features are still lacking.  Disappointed in Apple really.   All BS parenting advice aside, the fact remains Apple iPhones are very limited in what controls parents can use to protect their kids.

     

    Time limits on iOS devices

    Hot Spot control and data control

     

    Pretty simple things are indeed missing and obviously well wanted by parents everywhere.   Simple adds that need placed under the restrictions tab and not left to be poorly managed by the carrier.

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Feb 1, 2015 8:24 AM in response to pdqgp
    Level 9 (59,674 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 1, 2015 8:24 AM in response to pdqgp

    pdqgp wrote:

     

    Time limits on iOS devices

    Hot Spot control and data control

     

    Pretty simple things are indeed missing and obviously well wanted by parents everywhere.   Simple adds that need placed under the restrictions tab and not left to be poorly managed by the carrier.

    Actually, the carrier can do far more than the phone itself could and with much less possibility that a child could get around the restrictions.

     

    Submit your feedback to Apple:

     

    http://www.apple.com/feedback

  • by mc21kitchen,

    mc21kitchen mc21kitchen Feb 4, 2015 10:48 AM in response to Lilia2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 4, 2015 10:48 AM in response to Lilia2

    WHOAH!!! Lilia...I can so relate...and am SO glad that I didn't bother posting ANY of my issues here with my kids ipod crap that's going on at home! Ha....

    Anway...you are not alone....I am exhausted from the arguing and police-ing my daughter....such an awful stress it has created in my relationship with her...I have been battling with the idea of just deactivating it for a while....seems like the thing to do. The only way I get that ipod out of my childs grip is by physical force....very upsetting and not what I want to go through! Throwing down with my daughter and ripping the ipod out of her kung foo grip....That's what it comes to...I wanted her to have fun and enjoy it but she is way too involved and the restrictions I put on her with it...they always seem to not really work. Maybe taking it completely away is the only way....I DO NOT THINK YOU ARE A BAD PARENT. I think you are frustrated and you are trying to teach your child how to be responsible with her activity and don't want to be a full on Nazi and simply pull your parental reign on her without teaching her how to learn control, and YES MUTUAL RESPECT! That goes both ways.....We are trying to raise intelligent healthy people! Not just enforce rules that turn our kids into confused angry individuals....Yep...WOW!

  • by mc21kitchen,

    mc21kitchen mc21kitchen Feb 4, 2015 10:51 AM in response to Szabo7
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 4, 2015 10:51 AM in response to Szabo7

    Right On!

  • by ihelp77,

    ihelp77 ihelp77 Feb 4, 2015 11:10 AM in response to mc21kitchen
    Level 1 (55 points)
    Feb 4, 2015 11:10 AM in response to mc21kitchen

    I know I as a parent I am having difficulties finding the right way to monitor and help my child manage their usage of their devices..whether it be smart phones, iPads (which are now school issued), etc.  I don't feel that looking for technological assistance means I'm not doing my job as a parent.  Apple has no incentive to assist with this.  I feel your pain and struggles.

  • by pdqgp,

    pdqgp pdqgp Feb 9, 2015 5:22 PM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 9, 2015 5:22 PM in response to Meg St._Clair

    The problem is however, the carriers don't and or don't offer customizable functionality.  They also charge for it when the phone can do it without need for added fees.  Just simply put the ability to limit the Hot Spot and place it behind the restrictions password.  No need for me to turn data completely on or off via AT&T and pay $5mo to have that capability.

  • by Gabonvikar,

    Gabonvikar Gabonvikar Aug 12, 2015 6:26 AM in response to KiltedTim
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 12, 2015 6:26 AM in response to KiltedTim

    Honestly dude, this was an honest question to receive information and you basically lead an attack on this person who was asking reasonable questions about a product that she purchased for her child. I recently have found myself in a similar situation. I would prefer to be able to just shut off the features, on a schedule that I choose, so as to eliminate the argument altogether. Instead, I find myself making sure every night that I require the phone be turned in, backed by my SPINE as a father, and then dealing with the argument that ensues. I am technical, in fact a Network Engineer with a Masters Degree in Network Engineering and design and I find the fact that I am unable to place simple controls like this on a device which is primarily marketed to a younger demographic frankly intolerable and inexcusable. I have found apps that allow me to place time restrictions on almost all functions of the phone and I've used the built in restrictions to further lock down the phone to make it appropriate for my daughter to use. But the fact that I cannot, within the phone, manage all these things in a central location is ridiculous and regardless of how huge of an Apple fan boy you are, you cannot convince me otherwise that this is a major oversight and exercise in hubris on Apple's part. I'll probably just return the **** iphone and get an android phone so I can have the control I require because although at her age, walking to and from school and to friends houses, having a phone for her give me a bit of a sense of security in that I can locate her, contact her, etc, I shouldn't have to pay monthly to endure her daily glares and stomps when I put my foot down and take the phone. You may run a tight ship at your house Marine, but I'm father first, but still a dad at heart and fighting with my daughter every day is exhausting. Your kids likely don't fight with you because they're afraid of you. Yes, that's an uninformed judgement, and unfair, but so is the attitude you've brought to this thread.

     

    Good Day Sir!

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Aug 12, 2015 7:38 AM in response to Gabonvikar
    Level 9 (59,674 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 12, 2015 7:38 AM in response to Gabonvikar

    Gabonvikar wrote:

     

    I shouldn't have to pay monthly to endure her daily glares and stomps when I put my foot down and take the phone.

    Of course not. As a father, you get to do that regardless of whether or not you pay. The fact that your daughter continues to glare and stomp when required to abide by rules does sound like a problem. My parents simply wouldn't have given the desired object back to me until I could behave. But they came from a generation that believed they were my parents, not my friends.

     

    The iPhone is not, primarily, designed for children. Get your child a basic phone and subscribe to a carrier service for monitoring a child. It will be cheaper than paying for the data charge on an iPhone. It certainly sounds as if she is not mature enough for an iPhone and you are not happy enforcing the rules.

     

    Best of luck.

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