Learn how to use Screen Time Communication Limits on iPhone and iPad to ensure a safer communication environment for your child. From setting up restrictions to customizing contact permissions, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process, allowing you to safeguard your child in this new digital age.
Set up Communication Limits on iPhone
1) Open the Settings app on your child’s iPhone or iPad, or on your device if you’ve added them to your Apple digital family.
2) Next, tap Screen Time > Communication Limits.
3) You’ve two options under the Allowed Communication heading: During Screen Time and During Downtime. You can set up different limits for each. So, let’s start with During Screen Time.
During Screen Time
These settings apply to the active time you allow your child to use their device.
For Allowed Communication, you can pick from Everyone, Contacts Only, or Contacts & Groups with at Least One Contact. If you pick the last option, it allows them to be added to a group conversation when one of your family members or iCloud contacts is in the group.
Once you finish with this section, tap the arrow at the top to go back.
During Downtime
These settings apply to the Downtime you set up for them in Screen Time. The During Downtime options will change depending on what you select for During Screen Time above. For instance, if you pick Everyone for During Allowed Screen Time, then Everyone will be an option here as well. But if you pick Contacts Only, then Contacts Only will be an option for During Downtime.
Depending on what you choose above, you can now select either Everyone, Contacts Only, or Contacts & Groups with at Least One Contact if you like. To limit communications to only certain people, pick Specific Contacts. Specific Contacts lets you choose from existing contacts or add new contacts. Your child will be able to communicate with only these selected contacts during Downtime.
If you add certain people that your child can communicate with during Downtime and later decide to remove them, this is easy. Swipe from right to left on the contact’s name in the list and tap Remove.
What do you think of the Communication Limits feature? Are you going to set it up for your child? Let us know in the comments below!
Also, check out: 15 child-focused features on iPhone and iPad