stephaniefrompensacola
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Apple iPod/iPad/iPhone parental controls

Has anyone else discovered that Apple's "parental controls" on the iPod/iPad/iPhone are USELESS...actually WORSE THAN useless because the parents are left with a false sense of security when, in fact, kids can circumvent them, even unintentionally, and then have COMPLETELY unrestricted Internet access...as in, XXX-rated access?!?!

iPod Touch/iPad/iPhone , Parental Controls

Posted on Feb 1, 2016 4:31 PM

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stephaniefrompensacola

Q: Apple iPod/iPad/iPhone parental controls

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  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Feb 2, 2016 2:10 AM in response to stephaniefrompensacola
    Level 10 (188,143 points)
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    Feb 2, 2016 2:10 AM in response to stephaniefrompensacola

    Please provide detail of how it can be circumvented?

    If not properly setup then yes it is useless

  • by stephaniefrompensacola,

    stephaniefrompensacola stephaniefrompensacola Feb 3, 2016 10:40 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 3, 2016 10:40 PM in response to lllaass

    Hopefully, I am responding to an adult. My guess is I am, though. If you were a kid, you'd already know this. Either you would have accidentally discovered it or one of your schoolmates would have told you about it.

     

    Here's an example scenario:

    A parent utilizes the password-protected Restrictions feature to set age-related limitations on apps like Safari or You-Tube.

    Child does something to get the privilege of using those apps taken away for some prescribed amount of time.

    Parent utilizes the password-protected Restrictions feature to prevent access to Safari or You-Tube.

    Age-related limitations remain in place but are "greyed-out".

    Someone sends a url link via email or text message to the child.

    Child taps on link in email or text message and Safari or You-Tube "magically" opens to that url.

    Child can now type anything in "address box" ...for instance a three-lettered word ending with an x.

    The search results are NOT restricted to the age-related limitations previously set by the parent.

    (Insert appropriate result here, such as: Child is traumatized for life by images that appear!)

    Until that app is closed, child has completely unfettered access to ANYTHING on the Internet.

    Unless child does or says something to alert parent, parent is "blissfully" unaware that their "protective measures" are no longer in place.

     

    This is just one example. Don't be fooled by other purported parental controls and think you've prevented any downloading of apps or in-app purchases or even made them subject to your approval using the HomeSharing "Ask to Purchase" feature. Too bad I can't seem to actually make contact with a human Apple/iTunes representative to discuss how to truly cancel the Netflix subscription I keep getting charged for -- a subscription that my child signed up for (thinking they could get the one month free trial) and that I have cancelled three times now via iTunes as well as removed my credit card info from my account. (Next time I looked, though, the card information had re-appeared.) I suppose I'll have to cancel that credit card or shut down my iTunes account.  All of this, at the same time Apple is pushing me to use Apple-Pay! Seriously?!? Why would I even consider entrusting any more of my financial life to Apple?!?