Apple's Family Sharing: A Hidden Risk for Divorced Parents

Apple's Family Sharing feature, launched in 2014, aims to simplify life for families. It lets up to six people share purchases, locations, and calendars. But for divorced parents, it can become a tool for control.

The Case of Kate

One mother, let's call her Kate, faced this issue. After her divorce, her ex-husband used Family Sharing to track their kids and control their screen time. He set strict limits during her custody days but lifted them during his. Kate tried to change this, but Apple's system made it nearly impossible.

The Problem

The issue? Family Sharing has only one organizer. That person has all the control. The other parent can't make changes, even with a court order. Apple support couldn't help Kate. They said the organizer's consent is needed to make changes.

A Common Struggle

Kate's story isn't unique. Many divorced parents face similar issues. The standard solution is to create new Apple IDs, but that means losing years of photos and purchases. It's a tough choice between memories and control.

The Need for Change

Family Sharing is useful, but Apple needs to address this flaw. Divorced parents shouldn't have to choose between their kids' digital lives and their own peace of mind.