facetime with my kids

shredhead1080 wrote:
It appears that Facetime requires an Apple ID. Problem is my kids are young and I don't want to set up email addresses for them, which I assume you need to setup Apple ID's. It would be great to use Facetime from their Touches to my iPhone 4. What are my options?

By the simple fact that you post this question, I know you want to guarantee that your kids' FaceTime and other internet connections are safe and appropriate. While the Settings > Restrictions might help, clever (or determined) kids can find a way around them.

For the young kids you describe, the only responsible option I can suggest is to take away the iPods touch and replace them with age-appropriate toys.
 
You can set FaceTime as explained in the iPod touch User's Guide and leave it with whomever keeps your kids. Initiate FaceTime with the adult, who will limit your kids' FaceTime session(s) to you and other contacts you know are safe for them. When you are through, the adult can quit FaceTime and secure the iPod(s) until your next FaceTime call.





Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod4touch4.2.1

While you may need an Apple ID to initially setup FaceTime you do not need it for calls but you do need unique email address for each device. I setup FT on my Mac and iPod using my Apple ID and added another email address to my Touch. I had to delete the Apple ID FT email address from my Ipod since I could not successfully call from my Mac to the iPod put I could. After the deletion I could call either way.

I am encountering the same problem with my granddaughter. Her Mom and Dad have separate ITunes accounts and do not wish to - or can't - add another email address to their ITunes account for her IPod Facetime setup.

When they use their own emails, they run into other problems. This little girl is turning 5 in 10 days and, although many may think she is too young for the Ipod Touch, she knows her way around it extremely well. She has be operating my IPhone 4 for months.

It's too bad that Apple does not have a workaround for young children - the future of our digital technology lies in their hands.

I do not understand your statement:
"do not wish to - or can't - add another email address to their ITunes account for her IPod Facetime setup."
I set up my two devices with my one iTunes ID. Then in FT I added a GMail address and deleted the Apple ID from one device. I d not change any email addresses in my iTunes account.

You also stated:
"When they use their own emails, they run into other problems. "
What problems did you encounter?