How to Set Up Parental Controls on Mac

Set up comprehensive parental controls on macOS using Screen Time. Control app usage, web access, and device time limits for child accounts.

1. Create a child Apple ID. Open System Preferences and click Family Sharing. Click the plus button and select Create a Child Account. Enter your child's information and birth date. Apple requires parental consent for accounts under 13. Complete the verification process using your payment method.
2. Add your child to your Mac. Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups. Click the lock icon and enter your admin password. Click the plus button below the user list. Select your child's Apple ID from the dropdown or enter their credentials. Click Create User.
3. Enable Screen Time for your child. Open System Preferences > Screen Time. Select your child's account from the sidebar. Click Options in the bottom left. Toggle on Screen Time if not already enabled. Choose Use Screen Time Passcode and create a four-digit code different from your login password.
4. Set app and website restrictions. Click Content & Privacy in Screen Time. Toggle on Content & Privacy Restrictions. Under Apps, select the age rating appropriate for your child. Click Limit Adult Websites under Web Content. Add specific websites to Always Allow or Never Allow lists as needed.
5. Configure app time limits. Click App Limits in Screen Time. Click the plus button to add limits. Select app categories like Social Networking or Games. Set daily time limits using the time picker. Choose which days the limit applies. Click Done to save.
6. Set up Downtime. Click Downtime in Screen Time. Toggle on Downtime and set start and end times when only essential apps are available. Choose which days Downtime applies. Select Always Allowed apps that remain accessible during Downtime, such as Phone or Messages.
7. Configure communication limits. Click Communication Limits in Screen Time. Set who your child can communicate with during Screen Time and Downtime. Choose from Everyone, Contacts Only, or Contacts & Groups with at Least One Contact. Enable Introduce New Contacts to allow contact sharing requests.