Maximizing Carrots&Cake: A Parent’s Guide to Effective Screen Time Management

Maximizing Carrots&Cake: A Parent’s Guide to Effective Screen Time Management

• 1. Set Up Apple Family Sharing For your Kid’s Device
  
  
  
  • Problem: Kids may turn off Carrots&Cake Screen Time access in Screen Time settings using FaceID/TouchID.
  • Solution: Setting up Apple Family Sharing so it requires Parent’s Apple ID and password to change the “Apps With Screen Time Access” setting. Go to Settings> Tap your Name > Tap Family Sharing > Set Up Your Family.
    
    
• 2. Set up a Screen Time Passcode
  
  
  • Problem: Kids may turn off Carrots&Cake Screen Time access in Screen Time settings using FaceID/TouchID.
  • Solution: Setting up a Screen Time Passcode so kids are unable to disable and/or tamper with the Screen Time settings set by the parents. Go to Settings> Screen Time > Lock Screen Time Settings.

Carrots&Cake Settings

• 3. Ensuring Block Uninstallation is toggled On
  
  • Problem: Blocking uninstallation in Carrots&Cake affects all other apps that are on the device; parents may forget to disable it, leading to confusion and frustration.
  • Solution: Turn off uninstallation for all apps by going to Carrots & Cake then in Parent Zone > Schedule > Device Restrictions > Toggle Off Block Uninstallation.

Apple Settings and Apple Screen Time

• 4. Changing Screen Auto-Lock to 30 seconds:
  
  • Problem: Kids are idle while doing their Carrots (Educational apps) and are not really completing/doing their learning/educational activities.
  • Solution: Set a shorter screen shutoff duration in the Display Settings by going to Settings > Display and Brightness > Auto-Lock, and ensure apps are not placed in the always-allowed apps in Apple Screen Time settings.

• 5. Turn off Facetime/iMessage in Always Allowed apps:
  
  • Problem: Kids may use FaceTime and iMessage to access prohibited content. Chat with friends even during Carrot Time and access blocked content through their friends.
  • Solution: Turn off FaceTime and iMessage in the always-allowed apps list in Apple ScreenTime.
    
    
• 6. Toggle On Block at End of Limit in Apple Screen Time:
  
  • Problem: Kids have the option of choosing the ‘1 more minute’ option in Apple Screen Time which may sometimes cause the removal of screen time limits.
  • Solution: Ensure the “block at the end of limit” option is toggled on and check the “restrict app after the timer runs out” setting in the Apple Screen Time settings.
    
• 7. Disable Dictation in Keyboard Settings:
  
  • Problem: Kids may use Siri to send messages or access messages through screenshots using Dictation.
  • Solution: Disable Siri and Dictation by going to Settings>General>Keyboard and turning off Enable Dictation. Also, use content and privacy restrictions to control access to messaging apps.
    
    
• 8. Uninstall/Turn Off any VPN or Installed MDM Profiles:
  
  • Problem: An additional MDM profile (usually from other parental control apps or those that have access to Apple Screen Time) on the device may cause problems.
  • Solution: Investigate and potentially remove any additional profiles, such as VPNs, that may interfere with screen time controls. You can access this by going to Settings>General>VPN & Device Management.
    

Tips Parents should know:

• 9. Password Security:
  • Problem: Kids may know the passcode to disable Apple Screen Time.
  • Solution: Set a passcode only known to parents and change it regularly. Use a password manager app to help you as a parent remember your password or keep them in a notes document only on your phone.

• 10. iOS Updates:
  • Problem: Apple Screen Time settings may reset or become buggy after an iOS update.
  • Solution: Double-check your Apple Screen Time settings after each update.

• 11. Workaround Strategies by Kids:
  • Problem: Kids may use various tactics to circumvent restrictions such as spamming password entries, closing and opening the app, restarting the iPad, etc.
  • Solution: Configure content and privacy restrictions, block unnecessary apps, and ensure proper use of location services. Keep an eye while they are using the devices and teach them proper behavior when using technology.
    
    

By following these solutions, parents can navigate potential challenges and make the most out of Carrots&Cake for effective screen time management on their children’s devices.