iPads are both a blessing and a curse. Which parent hasn’t struggled with the guilt of letting their child use an iPad while experiencing the relief of having freed up time? The truth is, an iPad can be an invaluable tool in a child’s development…if used correctly and safely. As more parents are allowing their kids to use iPads, it is important to go through some vital steps to ensure they’re using them in a safe manner.
The 10 steps laid out below should make it much safer for kids to use iPads, or check out this nifty infographic of the 10 steps here. Children are adept at finding ways around the restrictions adults try to place on them so it is best to not take too many chances. Follow all of these instructions and keep the kids (and the iPads) safe.
1. Enable Restrictions
Restrictions have replaced Parental Controls on the iPad. They give control of the iPad by limiting access to a whole raft of the its features.
To enable Restrictions open Settings on the iPad and click General. Then tap on the Restrictions option. At the top of menu is the Enable Restrictions option. Adding a 4 digit PIN gives control of the iPad.
Use this control to…
2. Disable Web Browsers and other Unsuitable Apps
Choose which apps to “Allow” access to. For example, to disable internet access switch the Safari button to off and it’ll no longer display on the Home Screen.
Another handy feature restricts Apps based on their age certification. At the bottom of the Restrictions menu is the Allowed Content section. Tapping the Apps button shows a list of age groups. Select the desired age group and any apps rated above will be hidden from the Home Screen.
3. Disable Installing Apps
It is possible to prevent kids from installing new apps by clicking the Installing Apps switch to the off position. It’ll still be possible to install new apps but the Restrictions PIN will have to be entered first. Disabling Deleting Apps stop little ones from accidentally deleting important apps.
4. Disable In-App Purchases
It is a dirty business practice but it still takes place. Kids games and apps are full of In-App purchases that if selected can quickly add up. To avoid having to foot $1,000 bill for some pixelated Fairy Sparkles, switch In-App Purchases to the off position.
5. Disable Location Services
This one will be more of a subjective choice from parent to parent. Disabling Location Services will stop kids sharing their location inadvertently but it will also stop parents keeping an eye on where their kids are.
Location Services are in the Privacy section of the Restrictions menu. Here it is possible to turn them off completely or select which apps are OK to have access to the Location Services and Share My Location settings. At the top of Location Services, all of the selected settings can be locked and new apps blocked from using Location Services via the Don’t Allow Changes switch.
6. Keep your Account Protected
At the bottom of the Restrictions menu, there are 2 interesting settings. The first is the Allow Changes section. Selecting Don’t Allow Changes will make it impossible to add new accounts or for any changes to be made to the accounts that are active on the iPad. This will safeguard Contacts, Mail and Calendars.
7. Restrict Access to Game Center
Below the Allow Changes section is the Game Center section. Game Center matches players of various games with strangers who they can then play with. This feature is not suitable for young kids and should be disabled if young children will be using the iPad. Simply switch off the Multiplayer Games and Adding Friends features.
8. Set Content Limits
By now, the iPad will be locked down pretty tight but there is still some safeguarding to be done. Scrolling down to the Allowed Content section, once again, will show all of the types of content that can be restricted. There are plenty of options here to play with from restricting explicit music or podcast content to controlling the types of website, TV shows or Music that can be accessed.
9. Safeguard your data by Disabling the Erase All Data option
Erase Data deletes all data on the iPad if somebody enters the wrong passcode 10 times. A child could easily do this accidentally.
If the iPad has a passcode protecting it then it might be worth disabling the Erase Data option. Do this by accessing the Passcode menu in Settings. The Erase Data switch is at the bottom.
Finally, there is one important step that needs to be taken.
10. Protect the iPad with a Rugged Protective Case and a Screen Protector
The software is locked up tight now so let’s think about the hardware. Don’t mess about with this one. It is a no-brainer.