Free for families

Set Up Parental Controls
Without the Stress

Our voice-guided assistant walks you through every step of setting up Screen Time and parental controls on your child's iOS device. No technical knowledge required.

Why Parents Love Hold the Phone

Voice-Guided Setup

Just talk to our assistant. Describe your situation, and we'll guide you through each step with clear, simple instructions.

Personalized for You

Every family is different. We ask about your child's age, device, and your concerns to give you tailored recommendations.

Emailed Summary

Get a personalized guide emailed to you with everything you set up, plus tips for future reference.

How It Works

1

Tell us about your situation

Share your child's age, the device they use, and what you're hoping to accomplish. You can type or use voice.

2

Follow step-by-step guidance

Our assistant walks you through each setting, one at a time. Mark each step complete as you go, and ask questions if you get stuck.

3

Get your personalized guide

When you're done, we email you a summary of everything you set up, with tips for managing settings in the future.

The Research

Why Parental Controls Matter

Research from Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation and other studies shows the significant impact of smartphones and social media on youth mental health.

145%

Increase in teen depression rates since 2010, correlating with smartphone adoption

4+ hrs

Average daily screen time for teens linked to higher anxiety and lower well-being

Age 14+

Recommended minimum age for social media access according to researchers

70%

Of parents say managing screen time is a major challenge for their family

“The transition from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood has been a catastrophe for adolescent mental health.”

— Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation (2024)

About Our Mission

Helping Families Navigate the Digital World

Hold the Phone helps families navigate the challenges of raising kids in the digital age. We provide the tools and guidance parents need to protect their children online while maintaining a healthy relationship with technology.

This free tool makes digital safety accessible to every family, regardless of technical expertise.

Ready to protect your child online?

It only takes a few minutes to set up essential parental controls. Our assistant is here to help every step of the way.

Get Started Free