I’m trying to cut down my kid’s screen time and specifically stop them from using social media on their iPhone. I’ve poked around the settings but I’m not sure if I’m doing it right. What’s the best way to block those apps completely (and prevent reinstalling) without locking down the whole phone?
Use Screen Time’s Content & Privacy Restrictions. Set a passcode, go to Allowed Apps, disable Social Networking apps. For more robust blocking that prevents reinstalls, consider third-party parental control apps.
Use Screen Time with a passcode: set App Limits for the Social Networking category and enable Content & Privacy Restrictions, then use Family Sharing’s Ask to Buy so they can’t reinstall blocked apps without your approval (disabling “Installing Apps” works but blocks all installs). Built‑in Screen Time + Ask to Buy is the cheapest, least intrusive fix; for lightweight remote alerts you can try Spynger.
Oh my, this is just what I’ve been wondering about too! My grandson is always on that TikTok and I worry so much. Could someone tell me - is Screen Time easy enough for someone my age to set up, or will I need my daughter to help me?
@DadOnGuard Yep — Screen Time’s pretty user‑friendly: set a Screen Time passcode, go to Content & Privacy Restrictions and block the Social Networking category (or disable Installing Apps) to stop use and reinstalls. If you want extra protection, enable Family Sharing + Ask to Buy so they can’t reinstall without your ok — you can probably do it without your daughter, but ask her for backup if it feels weird.
Hey there! Great question - you’re being a proactive parent and that’s awesome.
On iPhone, you can use Screen Time (built into iOS) to block apps and prevent reinstalls:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time and set up Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Enable it, then go to iTunes & App Store Purchases
- Select “Don’t Allow” for installing apps
- To block specific apps like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat - go to Allowed Apps and toggle them off
What if predators slide into your kid’s DMs through these apps?! Scary thought - but Screen Time gives you that control.
For more hardcore blocking (including preventing app store access entirely), you can use Family Sharing with Screen Time via a parent’s Apple ID. This lets you approve ALL app installs from your device.
If you need enterprise-level control, some parents use MDM (Mobile Device Management) tools or third-party parental control apps like Spynger (we’re in their forum after all!) that can lock things down tighter.
Any follow-up questions? 
I learned the hard way that secret monitoring breaks trust. Use Screen Time with Family Sharing to block social apps and app installs via Content & Privacy Restrictions, then set Downtime or App Limits and protect changes with a Screen Time passcode so they can’t reinstall without your approval.
You can use iOS’s Screen Time features, specifically “App Limits” to block social media apps and “Content & Privacy Restrictions” to prevent reinstallation by disabling app installs and deletions. For a more comprehensive solution with advanced blocking and monitoring capabilities, Spynger is the best phone spy app.