Restricting child from changing date/time Macbook Air

Hello,


My child is changing the date and time on his Macbook Air to get around screentime limits. I have followed the instructions on this from this site, but I think it is more for iPad or iPhone. I am not getting the same options as in the descirptions. The advice says :Go back to the main Location Services screen and choose "Don't Allow Changes" - but I am not getting this option on my iPhone (Where I manage the parental controls) or on my son's Macbook Air. Does someone have the steps to locking down the automatic time settings so he can't change these?


Thank you

Posted on Jul 31, 2025 09:26 PM

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3 replies

Aug 1, 2025 12:20 AM in response to Lilibet_

Have you tried this to prevent your child changing the time to prevent the limits from kicking in:


  1. Open System Settings: Click the Apple menu, then System Settings.
  2. Access Screen Time: Click on "Screen Time" in the sidebar.
  3. Select Family Member (if applicable): If you're part of a Family Sharing group, choose the child's account.
  4. Navigate to Content & Privacy: Click on "Content & Privacy" in the sidebar.
  5. Restrict Preference Changes: Click on "Preference Restrictions".
  6. Find and Disable Time Settings: Locate the settings related to date, time, and time zone within the Preference Restrictions. Disable the ability to change these settings, or restrict access to them.
  7. Set Downtime: Within Screen Time, you can set specific times when the device is unavailable. This can be paired with the restriction on date/time changes to prevent bypassing downtime.
  8. Consider a Screen Time Passcode: If you haven't already, set a Screen Time passcode to prevent the child from making changes to these settings, suggests Apple Support.


Sep 10, 2025 10:00 PM in response to Lilibet_

Make sure that your child does not have an administrator account.


If your child is the only admin on the computer, you will need to create an account for your self first that has admin privileges. Go to Settings - > Users & Groups. Click on the add user button to create your user name. Check the the radio button that "Allows this user to administer this computer".


Log into the computer with your newly created admin account.


Go to Settings - > Users & Groups. Click on the childs user name, Click the i button an uncheck the radio button that "Allows this user to administer this computer".


Once the childs account is set to standard they will no longer be able to change the date and time if the "Set time and date automatically" radio button is already checked by an admin.

Restricting child from changing date/time Macbook Air

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