Apple has recognized the issue and is currently working on rectifying the situation. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Apple has committed to additional measures to alleviate the problem.
Screen Time, first introduced with iOS 12 in 2018, allows parents to remotely control their child’s device, setting usage restrictions and time limits for apps, and blocking unsuitable content. Nonetheless, there have been complaints about Screen Time settings resetting or not synchronizing across all devices within a Family Sharing group.
An Apple spokesperson confirmed that the company is cognizant of the issue in which Screen Time settings are unexpectedly reset for certain users. In reaction to these reports, Apple is taking the situation very seriously. Some updates were made with the release of iOS 16.5 in May, yet grievances from parents continue to pour in, including those using devices updated to iOS 16.6 and the iOS 17 public beta.
The Apple representative told the WSJ, “We are aware that some users may be experiencing an issue where Screen Time settings are unexpectedly reset. We take these reports very seriously and we have been, and will continue, making updates to improve the situation.”
While Apple hasn’t committed to a specific timeline for resolution, the company assures users that it is continuously working on improvements to the Screen Time feature.
Before Screen Time was implemented, parents had to rely on third-party apps for similar controls. The advent of Screen Time in iOS 12 represented a significant leap in parental control solutions, making such functionality more accessible to millions of users globally.
While the current bug might be a source of frustration for some, it is crucial to recognize the progress made in providing parents with built-in tools to manage their children’s digital experiences.
