Parental Control/Game time limiter

I agree with the original poster on this. I am at the point that we will no longer buy apple products, such as the iPhone or iPad, just because there is no useful parental controls like the Macbook Pro has. I really, really need the functionality where the iPod just turns itself off, either because a) a time duration was exceeded, or b) the current time is outside the window of operable time (just like in the Macbook Pro).

Something like this needs to be baked into iOS to do it right; it can't be another app. Apple, don't count on me to buy any more of your products until you resolve this completley in iOS...

We have created an app that will cover your problem as well as much more! The app is called "Inspire" by Gamer Parents Inc. please check out our website for more information!

www.GamerParentsInc.com

Parental controls

Game time allowance

Bed time

Wake time

Messaging to screen to ensure a reply!

System lock down

As well as send educational information to the users display to ensure that they learn while they play!

All information is filtered back to the parent to view progress!

Don't give up on apple yet folks, the future is coming!

Knowledge beyond Imagination!!

Thank you,

Todd

<I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.>

@GamerParent - that is an interesting idea, but it is not, exactly, what many of us are looking for. In addition, your app (and the required hardware) is not yet available for purchse, nor is there information regarding the cost of same. I will share your link with my homeschooling groups, I think it could be a useful tool when it becomes available, but I think most of us are looking for something much simpler that does not require a hardware interface for use, and simply allows us to set time limits on specific apps.

The best app I have found for this so far, was only available for the Android platform. It basically did what I wanted it to. It allowed me to set apps into 'groups', such as 'entertainment', 'internet' and 'education'. Then set time limits for each group. In addition, a child was able to earn extra time for certain groups by spending time in the group you designate. For example, my child could earn 15 extra minutes of 'play time' by working in the educational group for an hour. It was handy.

Good luck with your venture.

Thank you very much for taking the time to look at our website and even more for offering to help spread the word!!

The app is coming to the iphone this summer without the need of the hardware device. That device is mainly to plug into a video game system like the xbox or ps4! There is no hardware for the ios version. With that said, our program does use time increments of allowance for answering the questions. Each question that they answer gives them more time to play the games or social media that they are on.

The questions that are posted to the user are either put into the system by the parent or can be downloaded from our web application. If the child wants to play, they have to learn!

About the ability to purchase. This is true that we have not officially launched yet but are looking at launching in the early summer!

Thank you again for your time!

It made my day!

If you have any more questions please don't hesitate to send me an email personally!

My email address is on the website!

Thank you,

Todd

I am going thru the same problem, I am also trying to find an app that does that kind of kids time controlling... I don't want him to play or surf the web or doing anything else than listening music.

have you tried ParentKit app? they charge an annual fee but you can control the usage of third party apps.

With a linksys router you are able to see and control what devices are connected to your wifi, you can turn the access off to any of the devices you want. You can do it right on your computer, or you can download the app to your iphone so you can work it from anywhere.

I dont have the router but have played with it. I cant justify spending $150 on it and thats why I'm looking for some sort of app that I can do it right through my rogers modem.

Rogers has an internet parental control, but its not for mac.

Rooting an Android smartphone/tablet is the easiest thing a kid could possibly do and knock out your parental control.

Just sayin'.

Just what does rooting android devices have to do with time limiter/parental controls for an iPod?

Informageek wrote:

Rooting an Android smartphone/tablet is the easiest thing a kid could possibly do and knock out your parental control.

Just sayin'.

I couldn't find anything that does exactly what you want (although I didn't test ParentKit [https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/parentkit-parental-controls/id600618138?mt=8] as it requires a $40 annual subscription).

I did however discover a few points that might help.

Parent TimeLock [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/parental-timelock-time-limit/id689577280?mt=8] to limit the access in quiet times and to set a usage time limit each day, though not limiting specific apps. Can listening to music without using time limit if the device is set to Lock Screen.

Apple enable you to restrict use to a single app at a time with a lock/password required to change, so for example you could 'lock' child into an app, or 'lock' them in music app etc [http://www.cnet.com/au/how-to/lock-the-ipad-to-just-one-app/]

Hi- I read a few pages of this thread. Did you ever find anythign that did what you want, or even half of it? All the kids at my child's school all got iPads a few months ago and we have the same time control issues. He went from doing 30 minutes of homework to 4 hours of "homework" online- We've been reduced to hiding the thing. Looks like maybe you're in the Netherlands or somewhere- the US Apple store does not have some of the apps that people mention in their responses. Thanks.

As far as I can tell, the closest you are going to get on iOS is either:

ParentKit

Mobicip

Curbi

I just signed up for Mobicip, but I'd look at Curbi too if I hadn't already taken the plunge. After hours of research, none of the will do the simple things that a dozen products from a 5 minute search will do for Windows or Android. Apple has made it crystal clear that they could not care less about the feature desires of our market segment, so this will be the last Apple product for family since I will have these needs for many years to come.

I also plan to speak loud and long to any other parents who bring up the subject about all the things Apple is technically incapable of delivering and how superior the Windows or Android platform is as an introduction to technology for young family members.

A new app is about to be released to give parents the ability to control the playtime but more importantly to help kids adopting a wiser and more responsible behaviour when using their iPad/iPod/iPhone devices. The app brings psychology and emotion into the equation and is intended for kids up to 12y old. We are looking for parents willing to do testing before the official release in the Apple Store. If you are interested in participating please send us an email.

I'm interested in learning more & possibly testing...

Looks Amazing!! Thanks for the tip!