"Parental controls" for an elderly parent

Is there a way to set "parental" type of controls on an elderly parent's phone? Specifically blocking of downloading apps? Setting screen time limitations on specific apps?


I have a parent who keeps getting approached on social media and similar apps that are scams and because he's lonely and not very tech savvy he is at high risk. I'm trying to find a more effective way of limiting his internet use, since he's not listening to the warnings. He was been scammed by fake dating apps. He doesn't understand how dangerous the internet can be.


Thank you for any help or suggestions.

iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Posted on Jul 20, 2025 7:07 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 20, 2025 8:41 PM

Apple’s full suite of parental controls are indeed tied to age. Many of these tie the phone to the familiy organizer’s devices for permissions, notifications, etc.


HOWEVER, ScreenTime can be set for ANYONE of ANY AGE.


Simply use a ScreenTime passcode known only to you and don’t select the option to allow the elder to reset it w/ “their” Apple ID.


ScreenTime is IMO not the most intuitive of

apps; be prepared to spend some considerable time “experimenting.”


Use parental controls on your child's iPhone or iPad - Apple Support



4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 20, 2025 8:41 PM in response to Chattanoogan

Apple’s full suite of parental controls are indeed tied to age. Many of these tie the phone to the familiy organizer’s devices for permissions, notifications, etc.


HOWEVER, ScreenTime can be set for ANYONE of ANY AGE.


Simply use a ScreenTime passcode known only to you and don’t select the option to allow the elder to reset it w/ “their” Apple ID.


ScreenTime is IMO not the most intuitive of

apps; be prepared to spend some considerable time “experimenting.”


Use parental controls on your child's iPhone or iPad - Apple Support



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"Parental controls" for an elderly parent

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