Familiy sharing should not require approving free content

www.apple.com/feedback would be the place to suggest this. It sounds like a great idea.

I understand what you are saying, but I would suggest that the approval for downloading of free apps gives you MORE control over content that your children download instead of less. Ask to buy is on by default for under 13. I believe you could turn ask to buy off, but then the kids could download whatever they wanted including things that could be charged to your credit card.

I'm just making an observation. I agree that it would be maddening to be receiving notifications from 5 kids downloading 30 apps each.

Good Luck.

The feedback link I suggested will ensure that your suggestions are received. Apple does not always read these forums. They are User to User.

Apple isn't here. Apple doesn't participate here. Starting a poll/petition/survey will get this post removed as it is a direct violation of the Terms of Use you just agreed to follow when you opened your account.

Family Sharing isn't just about you approving your kids spending your money, it is about you approving the content that they download, paid or free. If you trust your older children with the content choices that they make for themselves, perhaps the better plan is you funding their own iTunes/Mac App Store account with a monthly allowance.

Set up and manage iTunes Allowance

Apple does not read the contents of these forums. This is a user to user forum, and the only involvement that Apple has with them is as moderators to ensure that the TOU is followed, and to ensure that the site is running and effectively providing an avenue for communication between users.

And you are aware that, just because an app is free it doesn't mean that the app is suitable for children or that it doesn't contain explicit content. Do a quick search in Apps for Playboy - there are at least a dozen "free" apps under this search alone....

Cheers,

GB

I agree completely with regard to the free purchases.

Another thought. In your case, with six children, the oldest child asks to purchase a family movie. When that request comes through, I would really like the option to purchase through the child's account or my own account. I realise that this can be done by denying the purchase and doing it separately, but it would be really cool if this was a one stop process.

How does iTunes Allowance work with Family Sharing?

And you are aware that, just because an app is free it doesn't mean that the app is suitable for children or that it doesn't contain explicit content. Do a quick search in Apps for Playboy - there are at least a dozen "free" apps under this search alone....

This is easily done by only allowing free purchases with ratings applicable to the child's age without permission.

That is correct. But that would mean that the parent would need to know about Restrictions and how to set them on each device - a totally separate process....

I'm not saying that it cannot all be accomplished if one educates oneself about how things work. One thing the last few days have made resoundingly clear - people use these devices without fully understanding how to make them work the best way for your needs. And then, they want to blame anyone but themselves for not taking the time to do the research....

So, point taken, and it's a good point! Let's hope other readers of this thread see your comment and act on it! 🙂

Cheers,

GB

gail from maine wrote:

That is correct. But that would mean that the parent would need to know about Restrictions and how to set them on each device - a totally separate process...

Not at all. Just suggesting that the original post asked about Family Sharing not requiring approval for free apps.

I agree, if those free apps fall within the age appropriate level based on the child's birthdate as set up in the iCloud account. Apps that aren't age appropriate would still require approval. This could apply to installation of apps that another family member might have purchased too.