Q: Best setups before my 3 young kids get iPads?
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Dec 16, 2014 12:42 PMby SergZak,No web access (without your permission) is the key so no Safari. Also, restrict iTunes downloads (Installing Apps), In-App purchases and possibly, Deleting Apps. If you've already purchased apps and don't want them downloading them to the device, Installing Apps would be very important since if it's not restricted, they could easily download something like YouTube, which in my opinion is the worst for children to have access to.
I only have one child (now 8 but he's been using the iPad for ~3 years now) so have it easier as far as configuring but make sure you backup the devices regularly. At the same time, also have one main backup for each device that has all settings in tact and working correctly. This way, you have a set backup to fall back on in case they mess some setting up somewhere and you can't find what's been altered...there are no restrictions for accessing the Settings app.
Good luck to you...
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Dec 16, 2014 12:54 PMby Briana's Apple,TThank you. I didn't realize that Internet (safari) could be restricted? I will allow my son to watch YouTube, but was planning to use a parental control to limit the content...he watches hotwheels videos for hours.
Im not so worried about backing up their tablets, as there is nothing vital for them to loose if something goes wrong that we need to repair the tablet.
I am more concerned about the best way to set up the iPads for kiddo use, whether that is a parental control app, or a better way to utilize Apple IDs. My kids have been on the Internet, and I was on the internet at a young age, so understand a lot of those concerns. Looking for ideas like resetting the wireless router password each day to setting time limits through specific apps, etc. best way to set settings, and so on. Thanks!
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Dec 16, 2014 1:22 PMby SergZak,Briana's Apple wrote:
Im not so worried about backing up their tablets, as there is nothing vital for them to loose if something goes wrong that we need to repair the tablet.
Game saves will be vital to them...definitely. You have been warned.
I have three certain devices (we have six total) set to one Apple ID for "Find My iPhone". This keeps them grouped together. The others reside on their own Apple ID for "Find My iPhone". iTunes purchases all use the same Apple ID. This was set up WAY before Family Sharing which I do not use and personally don't find to be of any real use in my setup.
You can easily setup access restrictions (the usual term) in the router itself (assuming it supports it...even the cheapest router usually does) which will limit internet usage for specific devices and allowing specific usage times for each device to be set. You'll have to check your router's settings but as I mentioned, it's usually called Access Restrictions (at least on Linksys routers).
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Dec 21, 2014 6:10 PMby DVX100Shooter,I am in a similar situation. I just bought my son an iPad Mini for Christmas. Based on what I read here, I should just set it up using my Apple ID (I am guessing I would have to since he doesn't have a credit card tied to his name! LOL). Now I have an iPhone 6 and an iMac so could he use FaceTime even though I am setting it up with my Apple ID? I already set him up with his own email a while back. Also he has a folder with his apps/games and 1 playlist of his music on my iPhone, what is the best way to send those items over to his iPad Mini so I can delete them off the phone? Someone in the store mentioned set up Family Sharing in iCloud but I don't want all my content being shared on his device. I like the advice you gave for restricting the usage.
Thanks!
Chuck
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Dec 21, 2014 9:56 PMby Briana's Apple,GGe'ez, Thanks so much for the parenting advice! My 9 year old played two basketball tournament games today totaling two hours of exercise. Maybe I should get them a good treadmill for the extra hours in the day? Both of my school kids are top of their class academically, so we are doing fine there too. My 9 year old has plenty of time during the school day to read books as her other assignments get finished early...but she will often bring home a 200 page book on a Friday evening to finish the last hundred pages.
