Parental control on iPad refers to a set of features and tools that allow parents or guardians to monitor, manage, and restrict their children’s access and activities on an iPad device.
Why do this? Unfortunately, with technological convenience, iPads also come with the increased risk of children being exposed to inappropriate content and predators online. In fact, 56% of 11-16 year olds have seen explicit material online, according to Middlesex University London research.
Therefore, parental controls on children’s iPads are useful for various reasons, including:
- protecting from inappropriate content and explicit language;
- managing screen time effectively;
- guarding against cyber threats;
- enhancing learning opportunities;
- upholding family values;
- safeguarding privacy;
- facilitating open communication.
With this comprehensive guide, we will give detailed steps on how to set parental controls on iPad, through the inbuilt iPad features and also third-party monitoring apps.
Manage Settings on iPad
To set up parental controls on the iPad, access the parental controls through the device’s Settings app on the iPad home screen. Navigate to “Screen time settings” and tap Content restrictions to manage restrictions by toggling the switch to the “On” position.
You’ll likely need to create a four-digit screen time passcode for these settings, ensuring your child can’t change them without your permission.
Once you’ve enabled restrictions, you can delve into various options and restrictions to customize your child’s iPad experience. Some of these options include:
- App Restrictions: You can control which apps your child can access. From there, you can set restrictions on specific app categories like social networking, gaming, and entertainment.
- Content Restrictions: You can restrict explicit content in music, podcasts, movies, TV shows, books, and apps, ensuring age-appropriate content consumption.
- Web Content Restrictions: Control access to websites by limiting browsing to specific age-appropriate websites or completely blocking certain content.
- Communication limits: Manage your child’s communication by allowing or disallowing contacts, FaceTime, and Game Center features.
- Privacy Settings: Restrict access to location services, photos, and other personal information-sharing features.
- Purchases and Downloads: Prevent unintended purchases and downloads by requiring parental approval for app installations and in-app purchases.
- Time Limits: Set daily app limit and overall screen time to ensure a balanced device usage routine.
- Downtime: Establish specific downtime periods when the device will be locked except for specific apps like phone calls and messages.

Parental controls on an iPad provide a crucial layer of protection and guidance for your child’s digital journey. Regularly reviewing and adjusting these settings as your child grows and matures is recommended to ensure that the restrictions remain appropriate for their age and needs.
Can a kid bypass parental controls on iPad?
Yes, determined kids might attempt to bypass iPad parental controls through methods like resetting settings or seeking online workarounds. To prevent this, use third-party apps for parental control.

Use Parental Control Apps for iPad
Usually, iPad Parental controls is not enough or kids can bypass it. Then you should consider using third-party parental apps:
uMobix stands as a well-regarded iPad monitoring app, offering an encompassing iPad monitoring toolkit for overseeing both employees’ and children’s iPad activities. Earning positive feedback and maintaining an average rating of 3.5 stars on reputable platforms like Trustpilot, this tool has solidified its reputation. With a substantial user base of over 1,000 downloads, uMobix remains a trusted choice.
When I decided to use uMobix for parental control on my child’s iPad, the installation process was surprisingly quick and hassle-free. Navigating through my uMobix dashboard, I found myself effortlessly monitoring every activity on the iPad.
This encompassed a wide range of actions, ranging from managing phone calls and messages to overseeing social media interactions, tracking their location, and even reviewing browsing history.

What truly impressed me was its discreet operation mode. My child remained unaware of being monitored, yet uMobix effectively ensured they couldn’t bypass parental controls or disable the tool.
Bonus: How to Put Parental Controls on iPad for YouTube
To put parental controls on iPad for YouTube, follow the steps below:
- Tap settings and locate Screen Time.
- Tap on content restrictions.
- Navigate to “Web Content” and select “Limit Adult Websites.”
- Block YouTube access by choosing “Add website” in the “Never Allow” section. Enter “https://www.youtube.com” to completely block YouTube.

In addition to the YouTube parental control settings, you can also completely block the YouTube app on your iPad. Follow these steps:
- Tap on Settings on your iPad and locate the Screen Time option.
- Click on content restrictions and activate it.
- Select Content restrictions.
- Tap on Apps and choose the 12+ age rating.
Once you’ve selected the 12+ age rating, the YouTube app will be restricted and blocked from your iPad because its age rating is 17+.

iPad Parental Controls vs Monitoring Apps
Comparison of the features and capabilities of iPad Parental Controls and third-party parental apps is in the table below.
| Feature | iPad Parental Controls | Tracking apps for iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking location in real time | No | Yes |
| Screen Time Restrictions | Yes | No |
| Purchase Control | Yes | No |
| Web Restrictions | Yes | No |
| Browser History | No | Yes |
| Monitoring Phone Activity | No | Yes |
| Social Media Monitoring | No | Yes |
| Hidden monitoring | No | Yes |
| Track someone’s phone activity | No | Yes |
Conclusion
Parental controls on iPad have emerged as essential tools, addressing concerns like inappropriate content, screen time management, cyber threats, and more. By utilizing built-in iPad features like app limits, screen time management, and content restrictions, alongside third-party tracking tools like uMobix that offer discreet monitoring and a wide range of monitoring features, contributing to effective iPad monitoring strategies.
Ultimately, whether through built-in iPad settings or third-party apps, parental controls are crucial for guiding our children’s digital journeys responsibly. By embracing these tools and maintaining open communication, you can foster a safe digital landscape for your kids.
FAQ
Yes, you can monitor your child’s iPad using parental control apps or built-in features like Screen Time on iOS devices. Alternatively, you can use third-party tools like uMobix or FlexiSPY that offer effective solutions for monitoring and ensuring a safe digital experience.
To block YouTube on your kid’s iPad, access Settings, tap Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites. For a complete block, add “https://www.youtube.com” under Never Allow.
To turn off parental controls, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, and enter your passcode.
You can control your child’s iPhone from your device through Apple’s Family Sharing features or third-party parental control apps such as uMobix and FlexiSPY. These apps offer comprehensive options, enabling you to manage your child’s device usage and safety remotely.
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