Extending time limit of Parentally Controlled by standard acoounts

When reaching the defined time limit of an administered account the user's time can be extended "on the flow" by the administrator. OK
However, my wife likes to be enabled to extend the child's time limit without being an administrator. She has a standard account, only.
Our question is: how to enable (a) standard account(s) to extend the time limit on demand. Is it possible to do so by defining a related item within /etc/sudoers,
and what is the corresponding (hidden) command line of the pop-up control panel?
Kind regards

Looks like you might need to build up your wife's confidence (using computers) a bit! We men do have responsibilities, don't we!
I believe it's possible to keep a log of the internet pages/sites visited. To some extent Apple achieves this in Safari with its history of sites visited. A friend had a daughter who was accessing pornographic sites. She was surprised when tackled about it - not realising that the visits were automatically logged!
I've just looked at the help pages for parental controls. You get these by opening System Pref/Parental Controls and clicking on the ?. There are a lot of cross-references to read to cover many of the possibilities for the administrator. It seems that the basic requirement for good control & monitoring of a child's usage is to establish an account for the child. Having done this you can then use your admin password and the parental controls system preference to set many aspects of the child's access. You can also choose to monitor this from a remote computer. I recommend that you scan through the descriptions of what can be done and pick out what you want to use.
Neville

Similar Messages

  • Monitoring and managing time limits in parental controls

    Howdy!
    I've a few problems with the time limits in Parental Controls: a) I cannot tell how much time is left on an account, and b) I cannot add additional time to an account at will -- I have to wait for a warning dialog to come up when there's just a few minutes left.
    Is there something built into OSX (GUI or CLI) that would allow me to view time remaining? Is there a way to add/modify the time remaining on an account?
    Thanks!

    I too find this annoying with parental controls. There should be a prominent countdown timer in the menu bar, in my opinion, that lets your kids know how much time is remaining on their login session. But to my knowledge there is no way to do this.
    However, I have an additional problem: If my child's account logs out when all of his time is used, and then I try to add a few minutes to his time limit, I am unable to. At the login screen, there will be a red circle with a bar through it next to his account, and the phrase "can log in at 12:00 am". I click on his login icon, and at the login prompt I am asked if I want to add additional time. I choose the amount of time from the drop down menu, enter my admin user and password, and click enter. The desktop background rotates to briefly reveal my son's user account desktop, and then rotates back within a few seconds and logs him out. No amount of time can be added to the account. Rebooting does not fix the problem.
    Anyone have a similar issue?

  • How can I customize time limits in parental control?

    Hello,
    I am trying to customize the time limits for a managed account via the parental control GUI.
    However I would like a much finer customization.
    For example: prevent access Monday 8-5pm, Tuesday 1-pm, 5-8pm, etc.
    While the "standard" time limis are set to a generic week-day/school day (which assume that a school week is the same all over the world!)
    Is there anyway to do that?
    Can anyone tell me WHERE are these limits stored in the system?
    Could I simply edit a system file (not afraid to do so even if it is complicated!)?
    Thank you.

    You can let Apple know you'd like this ability at http://apple.com/feedback/iphone.html.

  • Parental Controls time limit ends too soon

    For Time Limits in Parental Controls, how does OS X decide when the account is in use?
    I setup a managed account for my son on a MacBook Pro running 10.6.8.
    It is set to 3 hour limit on weekdays.
    Problem is that sometimes the timer gives its usual 15-minute warning after less than one hour of use.
    Sometimes I do a fast user switch to my admin account. Later that day he does fast user switch back to his account.
    Does the time in my account after fast user switch pause his timer?
    I hope the timer can be paused without completely logging out of the account.
    Thank you.

    in the parental controlled account click on the time in the menu bar and it will show time remaining in the pull down menu.

  • Mac OS 10.6.7 Parental Control Time Limit Bug

    My son is able to get around time limits on parental control.  If he is out of time and requests me to authorize additional time, he has found a way to get it extended (reset).  If I give him permission to use the computer for 15 minutes and he logs out with 1 second to go.  The Mac resets its clock for another 15 minutes.  If he logs out sooner, the clock is correct and only allows him to have the remaining time.
    I have seen posting of similar problems for older versions of Mac OS.  Does anyone know of a patch for this problem?
    Any assistance would be appreciated.

    I have a similar issue.  The time limits seem to work fine on my computer for both of my sons. However, my 14 yr old just bought a new MacBook and I am the Administrator and set time limits on his new MacBook and they worked for about a week. Either he has figured out a way to circumvent them (he swears he hasn't) or there is some bug.
    This has been a issue for a very long time according to some other threads I have seen. I wish Apple would do something about it or at least respond. The Parental Controls were a big reason we made my son buy a Mac and not a PC.

  • Parental control - how to limit internet time

    Anyone got any advice on how to limit internet access time to a shorter time than the full amount of computer time set in Parental Controls. My 14 year old wastes most of her computer time surfing stuff of little value. I am happy for her to still have daily computer time but don't want it all used up on the net. I want to encourage her to use some of the more creative potential of the Mac i.e Garageband, iMovie - she used to - she is very creative but gets sucked into other stuff very easily.
    Are there any add-ons that I should consider?
    Any advice gratefully received.

    If you use a Time Machine connected to your router, you can limit the time on that and when it can kick certain devices of the internet between certain times.
    I would happy to go through the set up of this with you if you would like.
    Other than that there maybe some add-ons / free software however if she's clever enough she could disable them.
    I hope this helps

  • Parental Controls Time Limits circumvented after upgrading to 10.6.5

    Sometime after upgrading to Mac OS 10.6.5, my son discovered a way to circumvent some of the time limits in Parental Controls.
    Here is the procedure: If I have allotted him 30 minutes, before his allotted time runs out, all he has to do is return to the Login Window (by any means) and then log in again. Doing this resets the time he has used up back to zero, meaning he gets another 30 minutes of computer use upon logging in (or whatever amount of time he was originally allotted). If he lets his time completely run out, the hack doesn't work.
    This didn't seem to be possible in Mac OS 10.6.4, but I don't know at what point my son discovered this hack. He likely discovered the hack by logging out to conserve his allotted time while he went to the bathroom, and upon logging back in, was treated with this lovely bonus.
    Not only would it be nice to have this security hole plugged, it would be nice to be able to check how much time is left (like, perhaps a countdown timer in the menu bar while my son is logged in) instead of having to wait for the pop up windows that gives 15-, 10-, and 5-minute warnings.

    Makes perfect sense to me that ending one session by logging out enables him to begin a new session by logging back in. I give the young man credit for figuring out how to get around this deficiency in Parental Controls, as, deep down, I'm sure you do, too.
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  • Dashboard stops working when parental controls enabled

    Don't say this is answered because the workaround suggested in another topic does not work. This needs to be fixed soon - very annoying. Here are the steps to reproduce.
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    2. enable parental controls on one of them.
    3. set a time limit on the controlled account.
    4. login to the non-controlled account when the controlled account does not have access.
    5. access dashboard.
    6. note that it does not work (no widgets come up and you cannot add them back)
    If you try the workaround it is only temporary and you lose all your widgets the next time the controlled account is locked. I think there is more than one way to reproduce this but is the most common. Also, the workaround doesn't always work. I think this is a serious bug that fails the "it just works" test. This was my first OS X purchase and probably my last if these type of bugs continue to go unanswered.
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    Model Identifier: Macmini2,1
    Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
    Processor Speed: 2 GHz
    Number Of Processors: 1
    Total Number Of Cores: 2
    L2 Cache: 4 MB
    Memory: 1 GB
    2 admin accounts
    2 controlled accounts

    I had the same problem, Safari would not open at all in the accounts that had parent controls enabled. I resolved this by going into the admin account and making a copy of safari then pasting it into the library folders as well as the application folders. You can also paste a copy of safari into the other user accounts (desktop) from the admin account. Once that is done, open the parent controls  system  (check the applications to allow) Internet tab then check safari. Hope that works for you

  • Enabling Parental Controls creates a cannot connect to serve message Safari

    Any time I enable Parental controls in the System Preferences that account gets a message that Safari is unable to connect to the server no matter what URL is selected. All web browsers are checked and unlimited access to websites is allowed. This even happens when I have Guest Account enabled; no internet access. What gives?

    Hi Desperata,
    Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
    If you're not able to view web pages in Safari, first reset the program. From the main Safari menu, choose Reset Safari.
    I'd recommend choosing "Remove all website data." See this article for an explanation of the other options in the Reset Safari menu:
    Safari 6 (OS X Mountain Lion): Reset Safari
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ph11914
    Best,
    Jeremy

  • Parental Controls -- Managed Account Time Limits

    My son's MacBook Air is running Mavericks OS X 10.9.3; MacBookAir6,1; Intel Core i5
    I set a 2 hour time limit per day and upon the 2 hours expiring, the system logs him off.  Then he shuts it and closes it for the night.
    However, upon opening it the next day, the login screen prompts him for a time extension.  It's a whole new day and the 2 hours should start over, but they don't.
    Worse, when I go to extend his time to let him log on, it sometimes gets caught in a loop of some sort where it will allow him back on per my administrator password to allow it.  It will allow him on for a split second, then immediately restrict him again saying he reached the maximum time limit and the administrator box shows up again.   The only way I've been able to fix this is by deleting his managed user profile, then adding it in again, once again defining all the parental control parameters, allowed websites, etc.  It's a pain.  I do try to have him log off at the end of his sessions thinking that it will help keeping things orderly, but if the computer cuts him off, I'm guessing that he was automatically logged out and I am not sure that's the case.  It cuts off his time (as it's supposed to) nonetheless.  Overall, it's as if the computer's date/time function doesn't factor in to the parental control settings.   How could Apple overlook such an obvious detail when planning for time limits?   Please, Apple, get these two parts of the OS working together.  So...
    Honey-Do List for Mavericks OS X Gurus
    Get the Date-Time settings to jive with Parental Controls; kill the loop that occurs when time extension requirement shows up first thing the next day
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    Pretty please 
    Thanks!

    I have found the most common way is simply this: he knows your administrator password. To see if this is the case just change your password (don't leave a sticky note laying around with the written down password on it please) and see if he's still able to get his way.
    Also, restrict access to applications like Terminal. Some Google searches could have shown him how to get stuff done through the command line.

  • Blue screen after Parental Control times out

    I upgraded our two-month-old iMac to 10.5.1 yesterday expressly so we could limit our kids' time on the computer. Now, when their account times out the screen goes all blue and there's no log-in screen. The only way to get a log in screen is to shut down and restart. And no, we don't have application enhancer. Already checked that. Anybody else experiencing this?
    (The wife is also complaining because all her applications--especially Mail-- are running much slower since upgrading. Now I'm just another Mac fanatic with egg on my face...sigh)

    I just logged into this discussion looking for the same issue and am experiencing it as well. When you click cancel at the extend time popup you often get the blue screen and a spinning icon in the middle of the screen. My only recovery has been to shutdown and restart.
    I have a older iMac 1.8 ppc 20" and leopard. I also had a bad slowness issue and have since archived and re-installed. After doing that, my speed returned and it is MUCH faster now.. You may just try that.
    I'd also like to post a related question that I have (hopefully someone at Apple may see this post), In regards to the Parental Controls. If I want to set a 3 hour daily max time, when that time is up, it seems to just return the to the sign on screen but DOES NOT actually log the user out. Im not sure if that is possible under 10.5.1 but it would be nice if it was. Or at least the option to set it at the user level to actually log them out. Has anyone else experienced this or have a suggestion?
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  • As an administrator can I set a time limit and control having inappropriate sites displayed on my "administrator" usage?

    as an administrator can I set a time limit and control having inappropriate sites displayed on my "administrator" usage?

    Parental Controls can be used to set time limits, to allow the computer to be used only within specific hours of the day, and to block certain Web sites (or to allow only certain Web sites). However, they can be applied to a Standard account only, not to an admin account.

  • Parental controls/time restrictions on iPhone

    I can safely say that my daughter's iPhone has ruined our lives.  We've had it for five days.  Yes, there are some built-in parental controls, but Apple has blocked anybody from offering a software program that will turn the dang thing off (I'm talking about texting and calling) at a certain time every night.  I have a daughter who is addicted to her phone and the battles are humongous to get her to do anything but text. 
    There are plenty of good programs with good parental controls for the Android and Blackberry, but thanks Apple for not allowing us as parents to turn the phone off at night.  I know about Mobicip, which is a great company, but they can only turn the internet off, not texting or calling.  When you have a kid who can and will text 5,000 texts a month, we need something that eliminates the battles at home and can automatically turn the thing off when it's bedtime.  We're all losing sleep.  Most parents, when they get an iPhone for their kid, don't realize that Apple, unlike Android, has chosen to place more importance on children's privacy than parent's ability to place restrictions on their kids' phones.  I plan to take the iPhone back and get her an Android.

    The carrier doesn't have to "touch iPhone SMS or calling features. THEY SHUT THEM DOWN at thier end.
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    Have you even bothered to look to see what AT&T offers? Apparently NOT. You can effectively shut her down on any schedule you like.
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    That means no SMS, no iMessage, and no calling her friends. It doesn't block incoming calls, but messages will be blocked.
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    FEATURES
    ENHANCED FEATURE: Block incoming and outgoing calls and text messages - now up to 30 numbers.
    NEW FEATURE: Block calls to 411 Directory Assistance (including 555-1212).
    Restrict times of day the phone can be used for messaging, browsing and outbound calling.
    Set limits for the number of text and instant messages allowed per billing cycle.
    Choose a dollar limit for downloadable purchases (ringtones, games and more).
    Select the amount of web browsing/data usage allowed per billing cycle.
    Restrict access to inappropriate content with content filters.
    COST
    $4.99/month per line
    OTHER
    Calls and text messages to and from phone numbers you designate as “Allowed Numbers” and calls to and from 911 will continue to be permitted regardless of the limits you set.
    As your child approaches the text and download limits, he/she will receive an advance warning. Once a limit is reached, there will be a notification that the action is restricted and that the service will be stopped until the next billing cycle begins.
    Please Note Important Limitations:

  • Can i parental control all computers through time capsule

    can i set parental control on time capsule to filter all the internet in my house?

    First, you need to define how you want to restrict this boarder's access.
    Do you want to enter a list of websites to prevent him from reaching?
    Do you want to stop internet access at certain times of day?
    Do you want to limit the amount of data they use?
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    You might not need to buy anything more. How do you get your Internet? Is your cable or DSL modem also a router? Because if it is, you may be able to accomplish your restriction through your modem, instead of your Time Capsule.
    My DSL router is very well equipped, so I use it for my router and I put my Time Capsule in bridge mode. When I look at the admininstrative page for my router, I see numerous options for access controls, many more than in Time Capsule. There are blocking lists based on MAC (Media Access Control) address, IP address, time of day, domain name, etc. And if you're lucky, your modem may allow you to apply specific restrictions to individual computers (by MAC or IP address).
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  • Parental Controls time limitation problem

    Is there anything I could to to force Parental Controls time limitations to work? I've set time limit for my son's account to 1 hour per day, weekends the same, bedtime (school nights 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM and weekend 10 PM to 12 PM). In reality computer doesn't log out my son from his account and he can play endlessly.
    I have clean MacOS X Lion setup, no old settings were restored. Update 10.7.2 came out but didn't solve anything. Snow Leopard worked flawlessly. Lion has bunch of problems which I cannot solve and figure out... (still have wifi problems, etc.) But at least if Icould get time limitation to work...
    Mac mini 2010 model (2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM).

    Yes, the parental controls are enabled, but now.. it works. Thanks anyway for you reply
    Regards.
    Andrea

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