How to set up macOS Screen Time with WhitelistVideo

Add an extra layer of protection by using Apple Screen Time alongside WhitelistVideo. This prevents your child from using other browsers or uninstalling Chrome.

What do I need for Screen Time protection?

• Your child's Mac (macOS 10.15 Catalina or later)
• An Apple ID for yourself (parent)
• An Apple ID for your child
• A separate Mac user account for your child (Standard, not Administrator)
• About 15-20 minutes for full setup

How does Screen Time work with WhitelistVideo?

Together, they provide comprehensive protection:

• Child can only use Chrome (Screen Time blocks other browsers)
• Chrome has WhitelistVideo locked in (PKG prevents removal)
• YouTube shows only approved videos (WhitelistVideo filtering)
• Child cannot install bypass tools (Screen Time blocks App Store)

How to create a child Mac account

If your child already has a Standard (non-admin) Mac account, skip to the next section.

On the Mac

1. Click the Apple menu () → System Settings

2. Click Users & Groups in the sidebar

3. Click Add User (you may need to unlock with your admin password)

4. For New Account, select Standard (not Administrator)

5. Enter your child's name

6. Create a password for the account

7. Click Create User

For detailed instructions, see Mac child account setup.

How to set up Family Sharing

Family Sharing lets you manage your child's Screen Time from your own device.

On your Mac

1. Click Apple menu () → System Settings

2. Click your name at the top

3. Click Family Sharing

4. If you don't have a family group, click Set Up Family

5. Click Add Member → Create Child Account (if your child doesn't have an Apple ID)

6. Follow the prompts to create their Apple ID

For detailed instructions, see Apple's Family Sharing guide (opens in a new tab).

How to enable Screen Time

On your child's Mac account

1. Sign into your child's Mac user account

2. Go to System Settings → Screen Time

3. Click Turn On if not already enabled

4. Select This is My Child's Mac

5. Set a Screen Time Passcode (do not share this with your child)

Manage remotely via Family Sharing

If you set up Family Sharing, you can manage Screen Time from your own device:

1. On your Mac/iPhone/iPad, go to Settings → Screen Time

2. Under Family, click your child's name

3. Configure their settings remotely

How to block other browsers

This ensures your child can only use Chrome with WhitelistVideo.

Block Safari

1. Go to System Settings → Screen Time

2. Click Content & Privacy Restrictions

3. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions (if not already on)

4. Click App Restrictions

5. Find Safari and toggle it OFF

Safari will be hidden from your child's account.

Block app installation

Prevent your child from downloading Firefox, Edge, or other browsers:

1. In Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions

2. Click Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content

3. Under Installing Apps, select Don't Allow

Block already-installed browsers

If Firefox, Edge, or other browsers are already installed:

1. In Screen Time, click App Limits

2. Click Add Limit

3. Select the browser app (Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc.)

4. Set the limit to 1 minute

5. Enable Block at End of Limit

The browser will be blocked after 1 minute of use each day.

How to prevent Chrome deletion

Use App Limits

1. Go to Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions

2. Click Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content

3. Under Deleting Apps, select Don't Allow

Your child cannot drag Chrome to the Trash.

Screen Time recommended settings

Complete protection checklist

For maximum protection on Mac, complete all these steps:

1. Create a Standard (non-admin) Mac account for your child
2. Set up Family Sharing with your child's Apple ID
3. Enable Screen Time with a passcode
4. Install Google Chrome on your child's account
5. Install the WhitelistVideo extension
6. Run the PKG installer
7. Block Safari in Screen Time
8. Block app installation in Screen Time
9. Block app deletion in Screen Time
10. Set time limits for browsers if installed (Firefox, Edge)

Screen Time troubleshooting

Safari is still visible

1. Go to Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → App Restrictions

2. Verify Safari is toggled OFF

3. Restart the Mac

My child changed Screen Time settings

1. Your Screen Time passcode may be compromised - change it immediately

2. Make sure your child doesn't know your Apple ID password

3. Verify their Mac account is Standard, not Administrator

4. Consider using a longer, more complex passcode

Screen Time settings aren't syncing

1. Make sure both devices are signed into the correct Apple IDs

2. Check internet connection

3. Toggle Screen Time off and on again

4. Wait a few minutes - sync can take time

I forgot my Screen Time passcode

1. If you have Family Sharing enabled, reset via your Apple ID

2. See Apple's passcode recovery guide (opens in a new tab)

My child has administrator access

1. Sign in with your administrator account

2. Go to System Settings → Users & Groups

3. Click your child's account

4. Change from Administrator to Standard

5. Restart the Mac

App limits aren't working

1. Check that Screen Time is enabled

2. Verify Block at End of Limit is enabled for the app

3. Check that the Mac's date and time are correct

4. Restart the Mac

Next steps

Official Apple resources

• Use Screen Time on your Mac (opens in a new tab)
• Set up Screen Time for a child (opens in a new tab)
• Set up Family Sharing (opens in a new tab)
• Screen Time passcode recovery (opens in a new tab)
• Use parental controls (opens in a new tab)