The iPhone Setting That Can Help Parents Take Back Control

 

If your child or teen has a smartphone, you’ve probably asked yourself more than once: How do I keep them safe without taking the phone away completely?

Many parents feel stuck. They want to give their kids the freedom to grow, learn, and stay connected — but without opening the door to endless distractions, unsafe content, or risky behavior.

Recently, I came across a brilliant tip that more parents should know about. It’s called Assistive Access, and it’s available on iPhones.


What Is Assistive Access?

Assistive Access is a feature built into iPhones that lets you limit exactly what can be used on the phone.

You choose which apps appear on the screen. Everything else stays hidden and locked behind a passcode. It also prevents links from opening and allows calls and messages only from selected contacts if you want that level of control.

For families with teens struggling to manage screen time, or younger kids who need basic communication without exposure to social media, this can be incredibly helpful.


Why I Love It

Assistive Access isn’t about punishment. It’s about creating a focused, safe experience.

Many children still need access to school calendars, messaging apps, or navigation tools. With Assistive Access, they can use what’s essential — and avoid what’s not.

As I always say, the best digital parenting doesn’t start with control. It starts with communication.


Take It a Step Further

Before turning on any restrictions, I recommend having a calm conversation with your child. Talk about your goals, your worries, and how this tool could help the whole family feel more at ease.

Want to take it one step further?

Use a written agreement. I’ve created a full set of Online Safety Contracts that help families agree on screen time rules, app limits, and what happens when boundaries are crossed. These are ready-to-use, printable, and designed to reduce conflict while building trust.

👉 Download the Online Safety Contracts


Join My Facebook Community

Need support from other parents navigating the same digital challenges?

Come join my Facebook page: Keeping Families Safe on Social Media. I share weekly tips, helpful stories, and resources to help you feel confident as a parent in the online world.

👉 Join the Facebook page


Want the Full Guide?

This is just a quick version of what I cover in full on my WordPress blog.

If you’d like to read the complete article, including:

  • A deeper dive into Assistive Access
  • A checklist for setting it up
  • My personal parenting insights
  • Links to my book and other tools
  • How to set it up

👉 Visit the full blog post here: Read the full article on WordPress

You’ll also find:
✔️ My book Keeping Families Safe on Social Media
✔️ Free resources for digital parenting
✔️ Step-by-step digital safety plans


Remember: You don’t need to be a tech expert to be a strong digital parent. You just need the right tools, the right words, and a supportive community.

Let’s make online safety something we grow into together.

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