Creating an Apple ID for each child: the first step
I created this guide based on the information published by Apple on their Support website and my own experience as a parent.
Technology evolves every day, so it’s important to note that this guide is valid as of April 2025 for the latest versions of Apple’s operating systems (iOS 18 & iPadOS 18).
📱 If your child uses an Android device, the equivalent tool is called Family Link. A specific guide for Android is available here.
📚 About this blog series
This post is the first in a short series on how to configure and use parental controls with Apple devices. Over the next few articles, we’ll cover:
- 🆔 Creating your child’s Apple ID
- 📲 Setting up their iPhone or iPad
- 🔐 Configuring parental control settings
- 🌐 Filtering content and managing Siri
- 📵 Managing screen time and communication
- 📦 Exploring third-party parental control apps
🔁 This article is also available in French: Lire en français
Create your child’s Apple ID
Setting up parental controls starts with one key step: giving your child their own Apple ID.
In Luxembourg (and many other countries), kids under 16 can’t create an Apple ID themselves. You, as a parent, must act as a Family Organizer and create it for them.
Why this matters
Apple’s parental controls work best within Family Sharing. If each child has their own Apple ID, you’ll be able to:
- Set content & privacy restrictions per child
- Approve or block downloads and purchases
- Monitor screen time and location individually
How to create a child Apple ID
- On your device, go to Settings > Family
- Tap Add Member → Create Child Account
- Enter their name, birthdate and an email (or create a new @icloud.com address)
⚠️ Important: the birthdate must be accurate — it’s very hard to change later.
Every child’s Apple ID must belong to a Family Group. It can’t exist on its own.
Before you begin
📲 Make sure all devices in the Family Group are running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. This ensures settings sync correctly.
📘 This post is part of a short series on digital parenting with Apple devices.
Next topic: Setting up your child’s iPhone or iPad
Transparency note: English is not my native language. I use AI tools to help translate and check spelling and grammar in the articles I publish here.
This post is a personal, subjective reflection and not necessarily rigorous or exhaustive.