MBA M1: Prompted to change admin account to standard account

[Morac]

I was using my MBA M1 running Monterey 12.2 today and I got a popup that said “it is recommended that the user account for <name> be converted into a standard user account. You will need to create a new administrator user account to be the computer admin.”

There were two options: “Allow this user to administer this computer.” and “Don’t allow this user to administer this computer and create a new user account to be the administrator.” There were two buttons “Not Now” and “Next”. I chose Not now and it went away.

I tried searching for anything about this, but didn’t find anything. I know what it was asking to do, but the question I have is why. I’ve never been asked that before.

Is this a new prompt in 12.2?
Has anyone seen this?

 

[DeltaMac]

The icon near the top of that window (the Screen Time icon...) is the clue -
When you set Screen Time Passcode while logged in to an administrator account, you will get a prompt that recommends your account be converted into a standard account - because the admin user easily can bypass the Screen Time restrictions. So, Apple recommends converting that account to a standard account, allowing you to use Screen Time for its intended purpose - setting limits on your use, and providing a record of that use, so you can review later on for any kind of addictions, etc. Makes the Screen Time less useful if it is simple to bypass.

Set up Screen Time for yourself on Mac

On your Mac, turn on Screen Time to learn how you spend time on your devices.

support.apple.com

Review the section on "Use a Screen Time passcode". It's all there.

Screen Time has been around since Catalina, and I think that "change to standard account" message has been there when setting a passcode - although I don't recall for sure if that notice has always been a part of Screen Time passcodes.

 

[Morac]

I think I must have accidentally clicked on the screen time password button then because I wasn’t trying to set one.

I was trying to toggle shared screen time, because I’ve found that it doesn’t update unless I do.

Anyway thanks for the info.