Parents have been able to control their children’s use of the iPhone through Screen Time features since iOS 12. However, there have been reports that this feature has vulnerabilities that allow children to bypass restrictions. Apple has claimed to have fixed these issues, but reports of vulnerabilities continue to surface.
Most recently, The Wall Street Journal, which has been reporting on this issue since last year, revealed a new vulnerability in Screen Time that allows children to access inappropriate websites even if parents have set restrictions. The methods to exploit this vulnerability have been widely shared on social media platforms.
Apple representatives have emphasized that the company takes the Screen Time issue seriously. Some of these issues have been addressed in the latest iOS 17.5 update, but not all have been completely resolved. Apple is committed to further improvements in the next software update.
Security researchers Andreas Jägersberger and Ro Achterberg disclosed that they have reported these Screen Time vulnerabilities to Apple since 2021, but Apple has denied the existence of these bugs. They have made multiple attempts to report these issues, only to find that Apple does not seem to prioritize fixing the Screen Time problems.
Examples of bugs that The Wall Street Journal tested and found include the inability to accurately limit app usage time, inaccurate summary of usage time, inconsistent download request notifications, and Ask to Buy request authorization being granted once and then continuing indefinitely, when it should require approval every time.
TLDR: Despite Apple’s claims of fixing Screen Time vulnerabilities, reports continue to surface regarding children bypassing restrictions, particularly in accessing inappropriate websites. Security researchers have highlighted these issues, indicating that Apple may not be addressing them effectively. The Wall Street Journal has tested and confirmed several bugs in Screen Time features.
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