Apple has admitted to a Screen Time bug that has left parents frustrated and upset. According to The Wall Street Journal, parents have taken to Apple forums and Facebook groups to complain about Screen Time settings not “sticking.” As a result, kids have had unlimited access to their devices, even after parents made changes to limit their screen time.
Screen Time Feature in Apple’s Family Sharing Tool
Screen Time is a feature within Apple’s cloud-based Family Sharing tool that enables parents to set up screen time limits and content and privacy restrictions across Apple devices. One of the essential components of Screen Time is “Downtime,” which allows parents to define how many hours each day their children can use their devices, either by limiting usage or rendering the device unusable. It’s a helpful tool for busy parents to manage their kids’ device usage and safeguard them from inappropriate content.
Bug Persists Despite Previous Attempted Fix
Previously, Apple claimed to have fixed the bug with an iOS 16.6 update, citing a syncing issue across devices. However, to the dismay of parents, the bug has persisted even with the iOS 17 beta. The problem persists, making it challenging for parents to enforce screen time limits effectively.
Apple’s Response and Ongoing Updates
In response to the ongoing issue, Apple issued a statement to The Wall Street Journal, acknowledging the problem and assuring that they take these reports seriously. The company committed to making updates to improve the situation. However, until the bug is fully resolved, parents are left frustrated and seeking alternatives.
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Third-Party Apps and Individual Device Restriction Settings
As a temporary solution, some parents have turned to third-party apps to monitor their children’s device usage. Others have resorted to manually changing the restriction settings on each individual device to enforce screen time limits. Until Apple resolves the bug, parents are looking for workarounds to ensure their children’s healthy device usage and online safety.
