How to Prevent a Child From Turning Off VPN on iPhone

Preventing a child from turning off a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on their iPhone primarily involves utilizing the built-in parental control features within iOS, known as Screen Time. By restricting the ability to make certain changes to network settings, app configurations, or even background activities, you can significantly limit their capacity to disable the VPN.

Using Screen Time to Control VPN Settings

iOS Screen Time offers granular controls that can lock down various system settings. The key is to restrict changes that could affect the VPN connection or the app managing it.

Steps using Screen Time:

1. Access Screen Time: Go to Settings > Screen Time.
2. Set Up Screen Time: If not already enabled, tap Turn On Screen Time. You'll be asked if this is "This is My iPhone" or "This is My Child's iPhone". Select "This is My Child's iPhone".
3. Set a Screen Time Passcode: Crucially, set a strong passcode that your child does not know. This passcode is required to make any changes to the Screen Time settings you configure.
4. Navigate to Content & Privacy Restrictions: Within Screen Time, tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
5. Enable Restrictions: Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions On.

Restricting Changes

This is the most critical section for preventing modifications to VPN settings.

• Allow Changes Section: Scroll down to the ALLOW CHANGES section. This area controls what settings can be modified on the device.

  • Passcode Changes: Set to Don't Allow to prevent the child from changing the device passcode (which could potentially interfere with Screen Time access if they found a loophole).
  • Account Changes: Set to Don't Allow to prevent them from signing out of iCloud or other accounts, which could affect profiles or app access.
  • Cellular Data Changes: Set to Don't Allow if the VPN setup is tied to cellular data settings or if you want to prevent them from turning off cellular data, which might bypass the VPN on Wi-Fi.
  • Volume Limit: (Optional, but good practice)
  • Focus While Driving: (Optional)
  • TV Provider: (Optional)
  • Background App Activities: As highlighted in the referenced material (0:06-1:07), navigate to and tap on Background App Activities and set this option to Don't Allow. Restricting background app activities can help prevent the child from force-quitting the VPN app or otherwise interfering with its ability to run continuously in the background to maintain the connection.
  • VPN & Device Management: Look for an option related to VPN or Device Management changes within the "Allow Changes" section. Set this to Don't Allow. This directly prevents the child from adding, removing, or modifying VPN configurations or profiles installed on the device.

• Adding a VPN Configuration/Profile: Ensure the VPN is set up using a configuration profile if possible, as these can be harder to remove than just deleting an app (especially if Device Management changes are restricted).

Restricting App Management

Beyond settings, you can restrict actions related to the VPN app itself.

• Installing Apps: Under iTunes & App Store Purchases, set Installing Apps to Don't Allow. This prevents them from downloading alternative VPN apps or tools that could bypass your setup.
• Deleting Apps: Under iTunes & App Store Purchases, set Deleting Apps to Don't Allow. This is crucial to prevent the child from simply deleting the VPN application from the device.

By configuring these restrictions within Screen Time and protecting the settings with a strong passcode, you significantly reduce the child's ability to turn off or bypass the VPN connection on their iPhone.

Summary of Key Screen Time Restrictions

Here's a quick look at the essential Screen Time restrictions for this purpose:

Restriction Category	Setting to Use	Purpose
Content & Privacy Restrictions	On	Enables all subsequent restrictions.
Allow Changes > VPN & Device Management	Don't Allow	Prevents adding, removing, or changing VPN profiles.
Allow Changes > Background App Activities	Don't Allow	Helps prevent interference with the VPN app running.
Allow Changes > Account Changes	Don't Allow	Prevents logging out/in that could affect VPN access.
iTunes & App Store Purchases > Deleting Apps	Don't Allow	Prevents uninstalling the VPN application.
iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps	Don't Allow	Prevents installing bypassing tools or other VPNs.
Screen Time Passcode	Set Passcode	Protects all Screen Time settings from being changed.

Remember to periodically check the Screen Time settings to ensure they haven't been altered and that the VPN remains active as intended.