One of the biggest fears for parents is whether their child can delete or bypass parental controls. The answer, unfortunately, is yes—sometimes they can. However, the situation is more complex, and there are steps you can take to prevent this from happening. Let’s break it down.
Can a Child Delete Parental Controls on an iPhone?
If you’re using Apple’s built-in Screen Time, which is part of iPhone’s parental controls, the good news is that it’s not easy for kids to delete or bypass—especially if you’ve set up a strong passcode. This passcode protects the Screen Time settings, preventing your child from tampering with them or disabling the controls.
What About Third-Party Parental Controls?
When it comes to third-party parental control apps, the answer isn’t as straightforward. Some apps can be deleted or bypassed more easily than others:
• Kidslox: This app can be deleted, even if a passcode is set, making it less secure.
• FamilySafe: This app is designed with stronger security features and is much harder for children to delete.
• Bark: There are some reports that it might be possible for kids to delete this app, depending on how it’s set up.
How to Prevent Your Child From Deleting Parental Controls
There are several steps you can take to make sure your child can’t easily remove or bypass parental controls:
1. Use a Strong Passcode for Screen Time
• On iPhones, always enable a passcode that only you know. This will prevent your child from accessing and changing Screen Time settings.
2. Choose Secure Third-Party Apps
• Not all parental control apps are created equal. Research and choose apps like FamilySafe that have better security against deletion.
3. Close Common Loopholes
• Kids are resourceful and often find ways around restrictions. As someone who was once a kid finding these loopholes myself, I can guide you in identifying and closing them.
Need Help Setting Up Parental Controls?
The world of parental controls can be confusing, and figuring out how to make sure your child can’t delete or bypass them can be stressful. That’s why I offer one-on-one coaching sessions where I’ll help you set up secure parental controls on your child’s device, ensuring they can’t be easily deleted.
For a limited time, I’m offering a personalized setup session for just $147. During this session, I’ll walk you through all the steps, explain how to prevent backdoors kids use, and make sure your parental controls are locked down.
Need help with parental controls? Book a coaching session today and ensure your child’s online safety.