There are plenty of tools that allow parents to limit their kids’ use of devices, but Apple has gone one better. The new controls it’s launching with iOS 12 are designed for both adults and kids.
It’s built around a feature called Screen Time, which gives you a detailed report of what you’re doing with your device and how long you’re using each app. It also has a feature called Down Time that lets you set limits so you’ll be warned when you have only 5 minutes left to use an app and then told to take a break if you try to use it after that. Of course, you can extend your time if you want.
You can track your usages by day, week or month and can sync these features across devices in case you try to sneak a peek at your Instagram account on your iPad after reaching the limit on your phone.
Apple has also beefed up the iPhone’s Do Not Disturb feature so that you don’t get notifications after the bedtime you specify. It also changes the look of your screen so instead of seeing all your icons, you just see a black and white digital clock.
Kids controls similar to parents
Kids devices have similar controls but the main difference is that the kids’ reports also go to the parents device. Also, the parents can use their devices to impose limits on their kids not only in terms of the amount of time they can spend in a given app, but the apps or websites they can use. Parents have the option of allowing unlimited use of certain apps, like the phone or educational apps.
The new iOS will give all users control over their notifications, to reduce interruptions during the day or at night. You can send notifications directly to the notification center (and not see the on your lock screen) or turn them off completely. And you can do that easily as a notification pops up. Siri may even make a recommendation to turn off notifications for apps you don’t use that often.
