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How To: Parental Safeguards for an iPad or iPod Touch

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So here’s a hot topic; how to handle all of those web-enabled iPods, iPads {and iPhones} that kids are carrying around these days! They’re fun, they’re educational, they can be addictive, and they can be scary, too. Some parents think they’re OK; others not. In our house, we do allow Hudson and Ella to have them, but with some ground rules — and parental safeguards on their devices.

The “how to” of setting parental controls is not as obvious as I had hoped – so I did some homework, and thought I’d share it here for those of you who wish to do the same. I do not profess to be a technological know-it-all, however… feel free to comment with insights or information. If you have yet to set parental controls on kids’ devices — and would like to —  read on, and let’s get it done!

So, the big issue with Apple devices for kids is that Safari is the default browser — and there’s no way to set filters on the content that Safari will deliver. The key to the system we use is to disable Safari and install an alternative browserMobicip, which offers a filtered browsing experience that can be customized for kids in grades K-12. We’ve been using Mobicip for over a year now, with great success.

There are three steps in setting up a device to be protected with Mobicip:

  1. Change the settings on the iPad or iPod {or iPhone}
  2. Install the Mobicip app and set filters to elementary, middle, or high school
  3. Customize the browsing experience further for your child or children with the premium membership, if desired

This video from Mobicip.com talks about step one — changing settings. The demonstration uses an iPad, but the Settings navigation is similar on other Apple devices. Note that a recommended step is to turn YouTube “off” — but your child will still be able to watch YouTube, filtered by Mobicip to the level you choose. Note that this demo is on an iPad 1, so FaceTime and the camera are not discussed {but consider whether you want them “on” or “off”}.

Here’s a more detailed video which guides us through the process and offers additional tips {you’ll see that I commented on this video as “MrsOlliebop”, including a cautionary word about an unexpected loophole through browsing apps}.

Once you change the settings and install Mobicip {$4.99 for the app}, you may go to Mobicip.com to set up age-appropriate browsing for each child. There is an additional $9.99 annual fee per device for a completely customized experience and monthly useage reports sent via email, if you wish.

Next, this video shows how to customize the Mobicip browsing experience {I like that even though I can set a general filter — like “middle school”  – individual sites may also be added or removed with a premium membership}.

This system with Mobicip has worked for us; and for the most part the kids don’t know the difference. The main aspect that Hudson objects to is that he can’t open links directly from his email; he has to copy and paste the URL into the browser, which slows things down. Sometimes I type my password in settings and turn Safari “on” temporarily for him — that’s always an option.

There’s one more thing I’d like to mention — which is suggesting that we parents of tweens, especially, give real thought to texting apps {and FaceTime} which essentially turn devices into a phone — perhaps at an earlier age than we might have originally planned. It’s something that can sneak up on us — as it’s just “another” app. But it does launch kids into a whole other realm. Ella {in 5th grade} recently asked if she could buy a texting app to communicate with her friends, many of whom have it. After a discussion with her, I did allow it but with rules about where, when, and under what conditions it is to be used. Some people would call this strict. Others would say it’s not OK for her to have a texting app at all. It’s all so tricky. I just worry about young kids, in their rooms texting and chatting freely.

And then there are the “rules.” Easier to set them ahead of time than to make them later! Some to consider — no texting at the table, no texting when a real live human being is speaking to you {my number one pet peeve}, and setting a “bedtime” for the device which is outside of their room.

I feel good about the conversations I’ve had with my kids about technology, and I trust them to make good choices so far. But mistakes will be made. Open communication and time spent with kids is the very best safeguard of all. I want them to feel that these measures aren’t punitive — but are meant to make us both feel more comfortable, and to avoid online surprises while they are still learning and growing. Setting up Mobicip is still no guarantee {especially for a kid who is motivated to break the rules} but it’s a place to start. After that, I say just keep on talkin’ … including a whole bunch that’s face-to-face.

 

P.S.  Mobicip is available for Android devices, including the Kindle Fire and other tablets. Info is right here.

The “iPhone Mom” and I agree that Mobicip is a good thing! Here’s her review.


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