Set up Screen Time for a child on Mac
The most flexible and convenient way to set up and manage Screen Time for a child is by using Family Sharing. When you use Family Sharing, you can remotely manage and monitor each child’s device usage from your own account on any Mac, iPhone, or iPad. However, if you aren’t using Family Sharing, you can still set up Screen Time for a child by logging in to their Mac account.
Note: For children under 13, Communication Safety and Screen Distance are turned on by default, and the Web Content Filter blocks adult content.
On your Mac, do one of the following:
If you’re using Family Sharing: Log in to your Mac user account, then make sure you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
If you aren’t using Family Sharing: Log in to the child’s Mac user account.
Choose Apple menu
in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)If you’re using Family Sharing, click the pop-up menu on the right, then choose a child.
Click Set Up Screen Time For Your Child, click Turn on Screen Time, then follow the onscreen instructions.
During the setup process, you can set content restrictions, turn on Screen Distance, turn on App & Website Activity, set time away from screens, and create a 4-digit Screen Time passcode.
In Screen Time settings, scroll down, then turn on any of the following options:
Include Website Data: Turn on this option if you want Screen Time reports to include details about the specific websites visited. If you don’t turn on this option, websites are just reported as Safari usage.
Lock Screen Time Settings: Turn on this option to require a passcode to access Screen Time settings and allow additional time when limits expire.
Note: If the family member has an administrator account, you’re prompted to convert it to a standard account. See Add a user or group.
You can also do any of the following in Screen Time settings:
Click App & Website Activity, Notifications, or Pickups, then view your app and device usage.
Click Downtime, then set up a downtime schedule.
Click App Limits, then set time limits for apps and websites.
Click Always Allowed, then choose apps that can be used at any time.
Click Screen Distance, then receive alerts when you’re holding a device too close.
Click Communication Limits, then set communication limits.
Click Communication Safety, then choose to check for sensitive photos.
Click Content & Privacy, then set up content & privacy restrictions.
