Childproof Your Kids iPhone: Step by Step Guide

If you’re planning on giving your kid an iPhone, or if they already have one, make sure you change these settings to keep them safe. Below is a step by step guide on exactly how to make their phone safer in minutes.

Step by Step Guide

This one section of Settings is the literal parental control center: 

Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Most parents don’t know how powerful this menu actually is.

1. Turn On Content & Privacy Restrictions

Start here:
Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Toggle ON

This single switch unlocks all of Apple’s built-in parental controls. Think of it as the literal “master key” to managing the device.

2. Block Unauthorized App Downloads and Purchases

Inside iTunes & App Store Purchases, you can stop kids from:

• Installing apps

• Deleting apps

• Making in-app purchases

You decide what requires your Screen Time passcode — not theirs.

This alone prevents a ton of accidental (and not-so-accidental) downloads.

3. Hide Apps You Don’t Want Them Using

In Allowed Apps, you can disable or hide certain system apps entirely.

Popular choices for younger kids include:

• Safari (hiding this eliminates web browsing completely)

• Wallet

• Mail

• FaceTime

• AirDrop

It’s an easy way to remove distractions or shut down features they’re not ready for yet.

4. Set Content Restrictions (This Is the Most Important Part)

Under Content Restrictions, you control the maturity level of almost everything they access:

• Apps (age ratings)

• Movies

• TV shows

• Music & Podcasts (clean only)

• Books

• Websites

Then go to Web Content and select Approved Websites Only if you want full control of what they can visit online. This creates a safe, curated internet experience.

5. Lock Down Game Center

This one is often ignored, but it matters — especially with social features built into mobile games.

Turn off:

• Multiplayer games

• Adding friends

• Private messaging

This reduces the risk of strangers interacting with your child in gaming apps.

6. Filter Siri & Intelligence

Head to Siri & Search settings within this section and disable:

• Explicit language

• Web search content

This ensures Siri responses stay kid-friendly and can’t pull unexpected results.

7. Control Privacy Permissions

Under Privacy, you get to decide which apps can access:

• Photos

• Microphone

• Location

• Contacts

• Bluetooth

• Camera

This is crucial for keeping personal information and data locked down.

8. The Final Step: Prevent Kids From Changing the Settings

Finally, go to Allow Changes and lock down:

• Passcode changes

• Account changes

• Cellular data settings

• Volume limits

• Screen Time settings

This ensures your child can’t undo any of the protections you just set.

Your Child’s iPhone Is Now Secured

Once you walk through these sections, the phone becomes significantly safer, more controlled, and a lot more kid-friendly.

It takes just a few minutes — and gives you a whole lot of peace of mind.

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