How is my child bypassing screentime limits?

Momofabunch wrote:

My teen has admitted to getting around screen time and restricted contacts by turning his phone off. When the phone is powered back on, it gives him access to apps and phone numbers for a few moments (I haven't timed how long) before the regular parental control settings start working again.

I doubt that. Your credentials might be known.

But again, parental controls are doomed to fail against any suitably inclined kid. Prisons fail at this. And yes, there are absolutely places and things around that parents do not want to have discussions about, and will wish to block, but that doesn’t make those conversations any less avoidable nor these blocks any more effective.

You might run parallel Wi-Fi or shut off the Wi-Fi on a schedule, but even that won't keep a suitably motivated kid isolated from their interests.

Technology can’t solve people problems.

Gillo45 wrote:

This is true as my son uses this method to get round his restriction. Help!

Again, parental controls are doomed to fail against any suitably inclined kid. Prisons fail at this.

And yes, there are absolutely places and things around that parents do not wish to have discussions about, and will wish to block, but that doesn’t make those conversations any less avoidable nor will it make efforts to avoid those conversations any more effective.

You might run parallel Wi-Fi or shut off the Wi-Fi on a schedule, but even that won't keep a suitably motivated kid isolated from their interests.

Kids can bypass all of this, and on an allowance-scale budget.

If your child trusts you—kids have agency—ask them how they’re bypassing the blocks, and why, and maybe they’ll tell you.

Technology can’t solve people problems.

If your son is over the age of 12 they can leave the family resetting all screen time setting temporarily and they reset back to normal the next day or at 1 minute pass midnight allowing him to reset the screen time and go on his favourite apps.

My child is also doing that. I think he is a hacker of some kind. Like I do not know how he bypasses everything. At this point I don’t know what to do. I am sad. I feel like a bad parent😓. He is only eight. He is watching YouTube shorts all night. At least he has no social media.

Katana-San wrote:

Hello~ Great advice. One of my grandchildren now has a flip phone and an old one at that for much the same reason. He is mortified that I suggested this as a possibility.

~Katana-San~

That is parenting at its best! Respect is a learned behavior, a child is not born with it.

Just like there is an 6 digit and letter password option for screen lock there should be such a thing for screen time password this way it will make it difficult for a kid to bypass this. Any four digit numeric password is so easy for a kid to by pass. Apple should update the seti f and give us a 6 diFor/letter option.

A very good “source.”

Thanks!

Thanks.

FYI, I’ve been “experimenting” on-the-side in an attempt to duplicate this behavior.

Your calm and “factual” Q&A is most appreciated!

This is true as my son uses this method to get round his restriction. Help!

Loren did you figure it out? I’m wondering if he’s linking your phones together when the phones are near each other.

Hi Loren. Did you manage to figure this out? I seem to have the same problem with my 13yo. Thanks.

i can confirm.

thanks. i ill be using that technique in the future