Every Parent Should Know These 3 iPhone and iPad Parental Controls

As a parent of three young children with a limited screen time, the prospect of giving them their own iPad or iPhone sends me into a spiral induced by anxiety. The prospect of having the microgestion of the screen time (and the overlying collapses that follow), in addition to trying to protect them on social networks and against all the other horrors that are hidden online, is enough to make me want to completely swear screens. But I am also realistic and I know that I cannot push the screens forever. In fact, their years of peak device are just ahead. So, at that time, I want to be prepared with all the tools.

Fortunately, Apple already has a surprising number (at least for me) of railings and parental controls in place, with features such as children’s accounts, screen time parameters and communication limits that help parents create safer digital environments. And there is more on the way.

Apple’s latest tools, exceeding iphone and iPad with iOS 26 And the iPados 26 respectively, help parents define age filters adapted to age, monitor the use of applications, limit communication and even blur explicit images before appearing on the screen. Here is how to find them, put them in place and feel more confident by handing this screen to your children – whatever their age.

Configuration of a child account: the key to unlock parental controls

The configuration of a child account is the key that unlocks all these excellent parental control features, so if you have not already done so, be sure to do it first. Apple allows you to create a dedicated children’s account for an iPhone, iPad, or Apple WatchGiving parents a total control over the remote parameters via their own device. If it is an iPhone or shared iPad, you will have to choose between configuring it as an adult or child account – unlike an Apple TV, there is no multi -user option. From September, iOS 26 and iPados 26 will also allow you to convert an existing device to a child account without having to reset it – which means that you can keep the content you already have on your Apple device.

There are three ways to create a child account on a new device:

1. The first (and the easiest) is to use your own device. As soon as you bring the two devices closer, the configuration instructions must appear automatically on the screen using Quick start.
2. If you don’t use Quick startYou can always configure it directly on the new device. Just choose Configure without another device And follow the instructions on the screen. If you create a device for a child aged 12 or less, it must be linked to your adult account.
3. You can also create a child account in advance, even without the nearby child’s device. Go to Parameters > [your name] > FamilyThen press the Add the user Icon in the upper right corner. Select Create a child account And follow the prompts.

Screen time: the command center for parental controls

When you create a child account, you will be asked to select an age group: 12 or less or 13 to 17 years. This automatically defines basic filters for content and services, but you can refine things even more via the Screen time Settings on your own device. From there, you can manage what your child looks at, how long they use their device and with whom he can communicate (among others).

To access Screen time orders, go to Parameters > FamilyPress your child’s name and select Screen time.

Once you are, here is everything you can take care of:

• Downtime: Plan the breaks of the screen time. You can plan specific times and days when your child will not have access to certain applications (determine which in the Always authorized Section) or choose to completely block the devices. They will have a five -minute head at the end of downtime.

• Always authorized: Choose the applications and contacts that your child can access and at what time.

• Screen distance: Alerts your child when they hold the device too close to their face to help protect their still in mature.

• Communication limits: Defines detailed rules on which can contact your child and when. For example, you can authorize parents’ calls or emergency contacts during DowntimeEven when everything else is blocked.

• Communication security: Detects nudity in the photos before being sent or received and alerts your child, offering a moment to take a break and determine if they want to see. This is obvious and you will want to continue at any time. He also suggests resources adapted to age to inform the child without Apple having ever seen the content.

• Confidentiality content and restrictions: Microgestion purchases and downloads. You choose if your child can download and buy applications, then restrict purchases in the application for those to which they have access, or block access to the App Store. You can also deactivate features like Pub below Authorized applications and features.

• App Store, media, web and games: Define the restrictions of age-based notes for everything, television programs and games at games, books and applications (all from G to NC-17, or equivalent). You can even block musical clips or restrict private messages in games to prevent sneaky bypass solutions with unprecedented contacts.

• Screen time management: Receive an alert if your child enters the password of the screen time, so if he guessed it, you will know it. This is part of iOS 26 and will be available this fall. In the meantime, you can always modify the code remote if you think they have cracked the code, without the need for access to your child’s device.

Beyond that, you will find options to manage the subscriptions to which your child can access and if he can send and receive Apple money, or completely delete the menu option.

Share of the location: Take an idea of ​​the place where the place where the child is in real time

Whether it is an iPhone, Apple Watch or even an iPad, one of the greatest advantages to give your child its own device is to be able to keep a watchful eye on its fate (just make sure you know it too). Not only can you check where they are, but you can also define alerts to inform you when they have arrived or leave a specific location.

You will find the Location Option under your child’s profile in your Family Account settings (this is the last option on the list). From there, you can prevent your child from modifying their location settings, but to fully enjoy the functionality, you will want to jump into the Find my App.

Once you have opened Find myPress your child’s name to see their location. Then sweep up to reveal the full menu, press Add a notification > Inform me. From there, you can choose to get alerts when your child arrives or leave a certain place like the house, school or house of a friend. Faucet New location To enter an address manually or press the screen to drop a pin on the card. You can choose to receive the alert only one or once they come and go.

Do you want to make the favor? Press Notify [your kid’s name]And follow the same steps. Your phone will automatically allow your child to know when you have arrived or left a designated location as well.

The exact parameters may vary slightly depending on the age group you choose, but the basic checks remain the same.

With iOS 26 and iPados 26, Apple adds even more granular parental tools. Nudity filters will be extended to FaceTime (and potentially third -party applications), you will get alerts when your child enters a screenword of screen time and you can revoke remote application authorizations even after your child has already started using the application.

There is already enough to fear as a parent (especially with online risks), but I hope that these features will help with at least a concern from your plate. Remember that even the best technological tools do not replace the advice in person of a parent or a caregiver. When you introduce screens to children, make sure you have appropriate conversations on online safety age and help them create their own healthy screen time habits.