TextPlus app (iOS) bypasses YouTube restriction?

Question

Level 1

8 points

TextPlus app (iOS) bypasses YouTube restriction?

Hi,

I've installed the texting app TextPlus Free on my child's iPad 3. Even though I've painstakingly gone through all the Restrictions settings and blocked Safari and YouTube on the iPad, my kid can still reach YouTube when sent a link to a video on a text on such app, by simply clicking on the link. Example:

Text message says:

"Hey, check out this video:

http://youtu.be/otK1ROFzf6s"

By clicking on that link, YouTube pops into the foreground and after the video is played, you can then search and see any other video using the search button in YouTube.

Anyway to block this other than removing the TextPlus app altogether?

Answers, please ???

--Concerned parent.

iPad, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Aug 27, 2012 10:41 AM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

182,686 points

Aug 27, 2012 10:43 AM in response to dealp

Removing the app or blocking the YouTube site in your home Internet connection will be your only options. Turning off YouTube in the Restrictions just prevents access to the app; it doesn't block the network connection to the YouTube server, so other apps that have web functionality will still be able to access YouTube or other sites.

Regards.

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Answer 2

dealp Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 27, 2012 4:33 PM in response to Kilgore-Trout

Thanks for your replies.

Yeah, looks like so far, deleting the app is the only way, which is sad. Blocking YouTube for the router seems rather drastic and impractical.

I have contacted TextPlus themselves to see if they could add restrictions. Let's see what happens.

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Answer 3

Aug 27, 2012 4:56 PM in response to dealp

Does clicking on the link bring up Safari? Or is the browser built into Text Free? If it brings up Safari, you could simple restrict Safari in Restrictions. Then, install a browser such as McGruff which has more parental controls than Safari.

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