Separate iTunes accounts or users for my children?

Just in case you don't already know, Matt, many free games allow in-app purchases unless you disable in-app purchases on each device. It's not enough to disable in-app purchases on your original device where you initially set up your account (which I assumed, to my cost).

Setup their accounts with iTunes gift cards. Then turn on Home sharing with your account, if you have your iTunes open, they can copy music/apps from your account.

Hi, I would like further information about djroketboy's post plz. Should I use the computer that connects my ipod and ipad to make the new accounts or should I create the new accounts on the child's Ipods?

How do you put music on the kids iPods? Do they have their own computer w/ iTunes installed? Or do they just use your computer and your library to sync their ipod?

they have been using my computer. We have been sharing the cloud under my account as well. The issue is that as one receives imessage or some other communicae they all receive the say message so I want to give them their own accounts. Will they losswhat is already on their Ipods if we make new accounts for them?

they have been using my computer. We have been sharing the cloud under my account as well. The issue is that as one receives imessage or some other communicae they all receive the say message so I want to give them their own accounts. Will they losswhat is already on their Ipods if we make new accounts for them?

yeah, unfortunately they will. My kids have their own computers, so we just installed iTunes for them, created their accounts then they used their iTunes gift cards to "authenticate" their accounts.

Once their accounts were setup, I set up home sharing in my iTunes, then connected each of theirs to the home share (using my credentials). This allows them to download my music and apps to their iTunes/iPods.

You are posting in iTunes for Mac, so I assume you have a mac. If they don't have their own computers, might be easiest to set up different profiles for them on your Mac. But you could also do the same for Windows (different user profiles).

It is unfortunate, they do not have their own computers. It sounds as if it would have saved plenty of trouble. Isthe different profiles in the Itunes itself or as a login to the computer. I am uncertain why this would fix the issue? Do u mind explaining?

Different profiles for the computer itself. In "System Preferences" under "Users & Groups" you can add/remove users to the computer.

But, In typing this response it actually dawned on me that it won't work (that I know of). Because I'm not sure that home sharing works on the same computer with different profiles. If you enable home sharing in your iTunes, you'll need to log out, then log in your kids profile start their iTunes. But as soon as you log out, it will effectivly shut down your version of iTunes.

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3819?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Depending on what iPod they have, you might be able to enable Home sharing on it. Then they won't need to wipe their iPods, and can still get your apps/music.

If they don't have apple id's, you can create one here.

https://appleid.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MyAppleId.woa/

added info.

Thank you for your support. I believe that this has moved a bit beyond my scope. So they'll just have to live with a little nuisence. It will be important that they do not read these post as I am sure their next step will be begging for their own computers. Thanks again