Where are parental controls in macOS Sequoia?
Short answer: Apple replaced the old Parental Controls preference pane with Screen Time starting macOS Catalina. In macOS Sequoia, all child-account restrictions live under System Settings → Screen Time. You get app limits, downtime, website blocking, communication limits, and weekly usage reports — all in one place, manageable remotely via Family Sharing if the child has an Apple ID.
How to set up parental controls on macOS Sequoia
Step 1: Create a Standard (non-admin) user account for the child
Open System Settings → Users & Groups → Add Account. Set the account type to Standard (not Administrator). Give the account the child's name and a password only you know. Never give the child an admin account — an admin account can disable Screen Time restrictions by changing system settings. Once the child account exists, switch to it by clicking the Apple menu → Switch to <child name>, or simply have the child log in. Restrictions set in Screen Time apply per-account, not per-Mac.
Step 2: Enable Screen Time with a passcode
Log back in as an administrator. Go to System Settings → Screen Time. In the top-left dropdown, select the child's account. Click Turn On. Immediately click Options (top-right) and enable Use Screen Time Passcode — set a 4-digit passcode different from the Mac login password. This passcode is required to change any Screen Time setting. Without it, a child can simply turn Screen Time off themselves. Also enable Block at Downtime and Require Passcode to Ignore Limit so time-limit prompts cannot be dismissed without your approval.
Step 3: Set app limits, downtime, and content restrictions
In Screen Time for the child account, configure three key areas. Downtime: set start/end times (e.g., 9 PM to 7 AM) during which only explicitly allowed apps work — ideal for school nights. App Limits: select categories (Social, Games, Entertainment) or individual apps and set daily time budgets (e.g., 1 hour total for games). Content & Privacy: under Web Content, choose Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only. Add specific sites to the Restricted list (e.g., YouTube, Instagram) if you want finer control. Under App Store, set the age rating for allowed app downloads — this prevents children from independently installing apps above the approved age rating.
Step 4: The India angle — shared MacBook and exam season
In many Indian homes, a single MacBook is shared between a parent and one or more children. Most families do not realise that Screen Time restrictions apply only to the specific user account — the parent's admin account remains unrestricted. This setup is actually ideal: the child's Standard account gets all restrictions, the parent's account remains normal. During exam seasons (Board exams, JEE, NEET prep), tighten the Downtime schedule and add study apps to the Always Allowed list so the child can use NCERT eBooks or Khan Academy even during Downtime hours. Also see our guide on enabling FileVault on MacBook M-series for securing the parent account's data on the same machine. For general MacBook care after family use, our Apple MacBook service page covers keyboard cleaning, screen care, and battery health.
When to call a laptop repair service
When DIY ends
Seek professional help if: you cannot access the admin account to set up Screen Time (forgotten password), the child's account has unexpectedly gained admin rights and disabled restrictions, or the Mac needs a hardware-level configuration check before being shared across family members.
Typical cost in India
macOS account setup and Screen Time configuration service: ₹500–₹800. macOS password recovery (admin account): ₹800–₹1,500. Doorstep visit charge: ₹149, No Fix No Fee.
A note from the LRW Engineer Team
The most common mistake we see: families set up Screen Time but forget to set the passcode — so a child figures out in five minutes that they can just turn it off. Set the passcode first, write it somewhere only you can access, and the restrictions hold. Screen Time is also a useful self-control tool for adults: set a limit on your own account for Reels or Twitter if needed.