Parents try to limit their kid's smartphone or iPad usage by using handy in-built apps like Screen Time, that Apple provides with is devices running on iOS.
However, kids have now learnt to circumvent this without any complex solutions, which is surprising and alarming at the same time.
Reuters/CultofMac
A report by the Washington Post reveals that children as young as 9-years old can find ways to circumvent the barriers and avoid parental control (Screen Time) on their devices.
The child usage-limiting app was first unveiled in iOS 12 last year, and was one of its flagship features to promote a healthy user experience.?
Usually, when Screen Time ceases access to a certain app after the screen-time is over, the app icon gets greyed out -- either till the blackout period is over or until the parent resets the clock by logging in.?
However, there are various YouTube videos and Reddit posts that offer tips and tricks to get rid of parental control on the device in minutes with basic tricks like changing time to get some more screen time, or loop-holes in the OS to get to the App Store to download certain apps.?
Internet groups who discovered these vulnerabilities question Apple's commitment to safeguarding kids from smartphone addiction. Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes said in a statement, "It blows me away that Apple hasn't thought through the fact that a persistent middle school boy or girl can bang around and find them."
Reuters
He also posted a list of loopholes that he discovered and shared with Apple as well as parents to warn them beforehand.?
Regarding this, Apple spokeswoman Michele Wyman said in a statement, "Apple committed to providing our users with powerful tools to manage their iOS devices and are always working to make them even better." However, she didn't comment on specific bugs and loopholes in Screen Time nor when would Apple fix them.