Create a Dedicated
Create a Dedicated
School Apple ID
School Apple ID
Embedded Files
If students already have an Apple ID, such as for an iPad or iPhone, we strongly recommend that they use a separate Apple ID (not their BB&N school email address) for their MacBook.
Why?
Why?
Allows parents to set Screen Time limits specific to the school laptop
Keeps school-related apps and data separate from personal devices
Prevents automatic syncing of games, social media, or entertainment apps from personal iPads or iPhones
Enables parents to manage school laptop settings independently from other Apple devices
Recommended Setup
Recommended Setup
Create an Apple ID for your child, separate from their existing account if they have one already
Do not enable automatic syncing of personal photos, messages, or entertainment apps
Disable shared device syncing across iPads, iPhones, and Apple Watches if possible
Turn On Screen Time (Even if You Don’t Set Strict Limits)
Turn On Screen Time (Even if You Don’t Set Strict Limits)
Screen Time allows parents to:
View app usage
Set downtime hours
Limit specific apps
Restrict app downloads
Manage content access
Recommended Approach
Recommended Approach
Set Downtime during school hours (if the laptop is ever used at home during those hours)
Limit or disable:
Social media apps
Gaming apps
Messaging platforms unrelated to school
Use App Limits for entertainment categories if desired
This does not need to be rigid — the goal is visibility and structure.
Manage Notifications
Manage Notifications
Notifications are one of the biggest sources of distraction.
Recommended:
Disable non-school notifications during school hours
Messages
Social media
Gaming apps
Consider enabling “Do Not Disturb” during homework time
Use Content & Privacy Restrictions
Use Content & Privacy Restrictions
Under Screen Time → Content & Privacy:
We recommend:
Restricting app downloads without parental approval
Limiting explicit web content
Disabling account changes by students
Preventing installation of new system extensions
This supports consistency across families.
Manage Notifications
Manage Notifications
Notifications are one of the biggest sources of distraction.
Recommended:
Disable non-school notifications during school hours
Messages
Social media
Gaming apps
Consider enabling “Do Not Disturb” during homework time
Automatic App Downloads
Automatic App Downloads
Ensure that:
Apps downloaded on a student’s iPhone or iPad do not automatically install on the MacBook
App Store settings require a password for downloads
Disable iMessage
Disable iMessage
If a MacBook is linked to a personal Apple ID, iMessage can become a distraction. Students are asked to hand in their cell phones during the school day to eliminate potential distractions, but if they continue to receive text messages on their laptops, it defeats the purpose. Additionally, if some students have this disabled while others have it enabled, it creates an inequity within the classroom.
Families may choose to:
Disable iMessage on the school laptop
Remove message syncing across devices
Keep macOS Updated
Keep macOS Updated
We recommend:
Keeping the operating system current to ensure security patches are applied
Consider a Family Technology/Media Agreement
Consider a Family Technology/Media Agreement
We encourage families to:
Set clear expectations around school-day and evening use
Establish device-free bedtime routines
Review usage together periodically
Middle School is a time for developing digital responsibility — with coaching.
Please see Common Sense Media’s resources below as templates families can use to get the process started in their own homes:
Mosyle at home
Mosyle at home
Mosyle@Home lets you set rules for safe and appropriate use of Apple Devices,
Reducing risks like Cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and excessive screen time.
Follow the steps linked here to start managing your child’s device.
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