Parental controls and avoiding inappropriate content
How can you let your children use your smartphone or tablet without accessing inappropriate content?
When a young child is using a tablet or smartphone one of the simplest ways you can control their use is by activating airplane mode.
This is easily done through ‘Settings’ and will mean that your child cannot access the Internet (thus restricting access to new apps and any in-app purchases).
Sadly though, as children get older this simple measure is no longer enough. Before long they will work out how to switch airplane mode off and unless you have installed parental controls, they will then have access to the whole of the World Wide Web (a scary thought for any parent).
When your child is online it is hard to monitor exactly what they are looking at (unless you look over their shoulder the entire time) and sadly the things they see online can bother children of all ages.
Filters can be helpful in reducing the chances of your child coming across something upsetting online.
However, no filter or parental control tool is 100% effective. Many of the risks that young people face online are because of their own and other’s behaviour. It is important that we (as parents, carers and educators) talk to children about staying safe online.
Setting parental controls for the Internet is simple (check what your Internet provider offers) and will protect your children when they are online; most allow you to block the websites that you do not want your child to view.
Remember that as children get older they get much more computer savvy so it is worth checking occasionally that the sites are still blocked!
Parental controls on your broadband
This offers you protection for ANY device while it is in your home. It also offers customisable filter levels and allows you to set filter times. Note: These controls only protect website use (not downloading of inappropriate apps, games etc.) and they are not perfect – some content which you seem inappropriate may slip through. You should revisit your settings annually (as your children grow.)
Safe browsers / search engines
Activate Google SafeSearch if you always use Google (on a computer or mobile or tablet). You can turn this on from any results page. Check parental control settings on browsers (e.g. Internet Explorer, Google Chrome) and set up child-Safe browsers. You can use your own browser as normal or disable alternatives on a tablet/mobile. You can also set up a filter for YouTube through their app.
If children are taking their devices out of the home, bear in mind that they could connect to public Wi-Fi. Look out to ensure that these Wi-Fi networks have filters in place to limit access to pornographic content.
In addition to the content filtering offered by your Internet service provider, many devices, such as games consoles, smartphones and tablets, have their own parental controls. Some allow you to limit spending or restrict access to apps based on age rating. Likewise, many web browsers have built-in tools and features to help you control the kinds of content users can view.
Beware of websites that automatically log you in and never give your child, or let them see, the password required to authorise any payments. Avoid 1 click purchase on sites such as Amazon – it is much better practice to have a password set up to confirm purchases.
In addition to controlling Internet access we would highly recommend that you control your child’s access to apps and their ability to make app/ in-app purchases. If you do not have these controls in place it can not only be costly, but it can also lead to children accessing content that is not age appropriate. Setting up appropriate controls is easily done through ‘Settings’ on your device. Talk to your children about the importance of being careful around accidentally buying things. It can be unclear to them when ‘extras’ are chargeable so encourage your child to ask if they are not sure. It is also a good idea to use iTunes or Google Play vouchers rather than your credit card in app stores.
There is so much amazing and useful information on the internet. At Fundamentally Children we want every child to have access to this resource, without being subject to inappropriate content or images. For more information see our articles on protecting your device.
Parental controls on your devices
If you hand your old device down to a child (and you will no longer use it) we recommend you first remove all your content from it – resetting it by plugging into a computer and selecting ‘Reset’ within iTunes is the easiest way. If on the other hand it’s your device or one a child shares there are a number of things you can do:
Restrictions: These are the most useful feature on Apple devices when you have children around.
You will find a section called Restrictions within Settings > General on all iPhones and iPads.
By setting a 4 digit passcode when you turn restrictions on, you can then choose what you want your children to access. You can pop back to the settings and change them easily whenever you like.
We suggest you leave Restrictions turned ‘on’ all the time and change individual settings rather than turning restrictions off as it then forgets all your previous settings.
Restrictions you can set include:
Disabling Safari, Camera, iTunes store, Installing/deleting apps, in-app purchasing, rated films/music content that are permitted, not allowing changes to your calendar/facebook/twitter etc.
Guided Access Mode: This mode locks a user into an app – requiring a 4 digit passcode to exit.
The mode is found within Settings > General > Accessibility.
Again you can turn this on and leave it on, when you want to lock your child into one app simply triple-click the Home button once you’re in the app you want her to use.
You will be prompted to choose a 4-digit passcode (it can be different every time if you like – you just need the same one to exit), then choose start. The Home button, volume button and power button will then have no effect.
To exit the app triple-click the Home button again and enter the same passcode, then choose End.
Airplane Mode: If you are worried about access to the internet, posting on social media, accidental purchases or anything that requires internet access another good idea for younger children (before they are old enough to just change it back) is to turn on Airplane Mode when you hand over the device. That way they can’t use the internet.
Even if they try to send emails or post to social media the messages will stay in your outbox rather than actually being sent – it’s worth checking your outboxes when you get your device back before turning the internet back on though!
Apps: Unfortunately there is no way to prevent access to individual apps you may have downloaded. We wish there was a way to passcode lock folders but sadly that’s not something Apple offer yet.
For apps that require a password for purchase or access to sensitive information, we suggest, wherever possible, preventing the app from remembering your password so that there is at least some barrier for children.
We also suggest putting apps you don’t want them to use in a folder of their own separate from the content they use regularly – some children just never bother to look at them but you can’t rely on it. If you’re really worried about specific apps you can always delete them and re-download them as many times as you like.
Email: This is the hardest thing to protect within Apple devices as there is no option to restrict email use (much as we’d like there to be). Airplane mode may be of some help or Guided Access mode, and hiding Mail in a folder that looks unappealing might minimise accidental use.
However, the only really safe answer is to remove your mail from the Mail app and instead access it via webmail each time – not a great solution we know but at least safe!
Use art and craft materials, Lego or Mechano to help encourage the child to stay on task and to lengthen their concentration span.
Play board games and team sports to encourage social interaction and communication.
Music can help keep your child relaxed and happy.
Create a quiet place where your child can go and be private or have ‘time out’ when they need it.
Use art and craft materials, Lego or Mechano to help encourage the child to stay on task and to lengthen their concentration span.
Play board games and team sports to encourage social interaction and communication.
Music can help keep your child relaxed and happy.
Create a quiet place where your child can go and be private or have ‘time out’ when they need it.
Use art and craft materials, Lego or Mechano to help encourage the child to stay on task and to lengthen their concentration span.
Play board games and team sports to encourage social interaction and communication.
Music can help keep your child relaxed and happy.
Create a quiet place where your child can go and be private or have ‘time out’ when they need it.
Use art and craft materials, Lego or Mechano to help encourage the child to stay on task and to lengthen their concentration span.
Play board games and team sports to encourage social interaction and communication.
Music can help keep your child relaxed and happy.
Create a quiet place where your child can go and be private or have ‘time out’ when they need it.