Apple Screen Time is built into every iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It provides app time limits, downtime scheduling, content restrictions, and communication limits for children in an Apple Family.
Key features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| App time limits | Set daily time limits per app or app category. |
| Downtime | Schedule times when only allowed apps work. |
| Content restrictions | Restrict explicit content, apps by age rating, websites. |
| Communication limits | Control who the child can contact. |
| App Store restrictions | Require approval for app purchases/downloads. |
| Always Allowed | Whitelist apps that work even during downtime. |
Platforms
iOS, iPadOS, macOS (Apple devices only)
Pricing
Free (built-in)
Limitations
- Only works on Apple devices — no Android, Windows, or Chromebook
- Cannot whitelist specific YouTube channels within the YouTube app
- Cannot block YouTube Shorts specifically
- Cannot hide YouTube comments
- Can block the YouTube app entirely, but no granular YouTube controls
- Children can find workarounds (asking for more time, using Safari)
Our verdict
Apple Screen Time is essential for Apple households — use it for device-level time limits and to prevent app installs. But it has zero YouTube-specific controls beyond blocking the entire app. For YouTube channel control, add a dedicated tool like WhitelistVideo alongside Screen Time.