iOS 18.5 Improves Screen Time Parental Controls
Apple's upcoming iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 updates introduce a significant enhancement to the existing Screen Time feature, providing parents with improved monitoring capabilities. This update addresses a critical vulnerability in parental controls by notifying parents when their child successfully enters the Screen Time passcode.
Real-Time Alerts for Enhanced Security
Previously, parents relied solely on their ability to set and maintain a secure passcode. Now, with this new functionality, parents will receive an immediate notification on their device whenever their child successfully unlocks Screen Time restrictions. This real-time alert system allows for proactive intervention and helps maintain the intended limitations.
This timely alert mechanism is a crucial addition, giving parents greater visibility and control over their children's device usage. It directly addresses concerns regarding children bypassing parental restrictions, providing a more robust and secure system for managing screen time.
The update also extends this functionality to macOS 15.5, enabling seamless cross-platform monitoring for parents who use Apple devices across different operating systems. This consistent experience across devices strengthens the overall effectiveness of Screen Time.
The improved Screen Time feature builds upon the original functionality introduced in iOS 12, which allowed for remote management of children's devices, including setting time limits for specific apps and restricting access to inappropriate content. This latest update simply adds another layer of essential protection for children's digital well-being.
Source: Mac Rumors