Video App - Toddler Proof

I have seen mention, somewhere, of cases that cover the Home button. They're designed for kiosk use, I think. They might be more expensive than building something yourself as previously suggested. But, might be worth a Google search.

There are no third party apps that I know of that will disable the touch screen or lock any controls on the video app.

You can get angry with me if you want to do so and you probably will, but leaving a two year old child unsupervised while using the iPad is probably not a good idea to begin with. The child is too young to understand how to use the device and therefore should not be left to her own devices while using the iPad.

Patiently working with her to try to teach her the proper way to use the device is your best bet in the long run.

There are a couple of commercial products that should be able to help keeping kids from pressing the screen and home button, and you can find all of the on Amazon.com

On the iPad, there's a case that actually covers the screen and the home button, the LapWorks Crystal iPad Folio. Seems like this case would be a great way to stop a toddler from disrupting video play.

For the iPhone, there's a Fisher-Price case that blocks the home button, but allows screen access.

And for both models, there's the BubCap home button cover, that allows parents to press the home button, but is too rigid for toddlers to press the home button. You'd probably add a BubCap to whatever case you normally use.

Just thought this thread should be aware of all these options.

Another poster over the weekend asked how the $600 of apps her child downloaded can be refunded.

No answer from the mother about the results of her communications with iTunes Customer Service.

I will stop now.

Thinking outside the box, the somewhat obvious need is to prevent the child from touching the screen. So if you can find a iPad case with a clear cover. The Compaq iPaq PDAs had a case with a clip on cover that was translucent so perhaps someone sells a case with some sort of transparent cover for kiosk or public displays.

Or gloves. Capacitive touch screens like the iPad don't work with most gloves. This has been a problem for most people, but it may be a solution for you. 🙂

And I haven't tried it but may be a ziplock bag, especially a thicker one may be enough to prevent access to the screen controls. (If someone can confirm this, please chime in.)

Buy lexan/transparent plastic from Home Depot (very cheap). Cut to size for an enclosing box.

My guess is $15 max in plastic, glue, bradnails/studposts for assembly.

The design of "childproof against opening" will change constantly as you watch her "learn" 😉

Forgive me for sounding a little defensive about this, but you'd be amazed at the some of the posts that you can read here. I do understand the point about "keeps both her and me sane in instances" as well. I have kids and I do remember some of those times where I would have cut off my arm and let them play with it if I thought it would have brought me some sanity. But now mine are grown up now and they have their own iDevices so my iPad is truly "my iPad"!

Unfortunately, I don't think any such app exists that will allow you to do what you are trying to do. If you are working with her and trying to reason with her - and I do understand that she is too young to reason at this point - she will eventually understand what she can and can't do with the iPad. I'm not trying to come off like Dr. Spock (if you even know who that is) but starting her off this young will probably pay off in the long run since she will be ahead of the curve in this tech crazy world of ours. Children by and large are very quick learners especially when they are interested and fascinated in what they are doing.

It sounds to me like you are doing all you can with her - give her some time - she will catch on - as long as you can both keep your sanity through it all!

Not to appear an idiot, but I was being serious.

I am inclined to build what I need according to designs I create. For example, a 15ft long computer desk of 2x4s with 2 built-in drawer-slide keyboard trays, 3 sections attached with bolts for disassembly/moving, and a 75 degree bend to make it almost an L. I did not find anything I liked for a computer desk in any exsiting model.

The hardcover with intentionally designed rubber-mounts could protect it from accidental damage and drops. But then I have not researched the already designed options on the market.

People who know me well understand I follow my own muse.

I'm sorry! I wasn't suggesting that builiding a case was a bad idea! I think it's great. 🙂

There are, however, those of us who aren't especially handy. Also, it's possible that someone with an extremely intelligent toddler is kept rather busy.

Keep up the good work.

I don't have any suggestions for your question but you should know my 3-year old granddaughter learned to use the iPad 1 I gave them in about 30 mins. She is currently teaching her mother to use it.

You have some interesting times coming up. Two suggestions:

1) I put Ghost armor on theirs because little fingers are sticky, dirty and very clever

2). Disable/password protect the in-app purchases.

My granddaughter learned to be careful very quickly and we have no issues with letting her sit down and play with it unattended. Oh, it's in a case too though.

Have fun!

So this is way late, but I figure better late then never.

I am an app developer (with a toddler) and I will be releasing an app that will let you navigate through all videos and playlists in your video library. It may also have the ability to navigate online videos in a future release.

The cool part is - it has a child proof lock where you will be able to set a gesture to stop the video. The only kink is the home button. I'm not sure what to do about that.

I will update this post when I release it.

Vinny, sounds like a long-overdue and much-needed app that many have been waiting for. When do you think it will be available? Is there any way to find out more or get in touch with you?

I assume you've seen the above posts mentioning various products to help with "the only kink," as you put it? I think most parents with toddlers find buying an accessory to control the home button is the way to go. Or if they are one of the few who jailbreak thier iDevices, then the Incarder App is a great way to control the home button. So your app plus any home button solution sounds like a great combo.

BT, iOS restictions help a tiny bit (particularly keeping kids from deleting apps and in-app purchases), but even with all restrictions on (plus putting the device in Airplane Mode), there are still a ton of problems associated with toddlers and the home button, so restrictions aren't nearly enough of a solution. Toddlers are very drawn to pressing this one prominent button, but simply pressing the home button and exiting the intended app can be frustrating for both children and parents. And I've seen my toddler get into my contact information and calandar data with just a few random touches after pressing the home button. Restrictions don't help at all in keeping a parent's important data from being tampered with, and if the parent doesn't realize immediately that data has been tweaked, that important information that was just altered can sync to your computer, the cloud, etc.

The other problem is, being aggressive with restriction settings is a hassle. The parent has to go through all the steps to turn them all on every time they share your iDevice with your toddler, and then repeat the process every time the child is done. Since the settings don't really restrict enough anyway, I doubt many parents bother with most of the restrictions, other than the few basic ones they can just leave on most the time.

Rob,

I am setting up a promo site and what not, but it's not ready yet.

I dont mind if you guys email me with a subject line of "Toddler (or baby) video app" - something along those lines.

I'll notify you guys here and by email. Please suggest features you may want as well.

-Vinny

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