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How to set up parental controls on your iPad- Allowing kids to use your iPad?

Kamal Kaur

How to set up parental controls in iPad

  • Set up screen time
  • Apply Settings restrictions
  • Set Apps store ask for password
  • Stop kids from downloading the apps
  • Block certain  apps
  • Block inappropriate content
  • Create separate Apple ID for kids

iPad is one such wonderful device that kids are attracted to play games. Also as there are hundreds of kid friendly iPad apps like Kindle where kids can read stories, drawing apps for kids to color and paint as well as many interesting puzzle and crafts games that your kids want to explore and enjoy. But your iPad is not a toy afterall. You have important documents as well as well as certain online data that you don’t wish your child browses. The best way is therefore to set up parental control on your iPads and then keep your children entertained, with some of the great apps for kids.

Before you start with parental control setup remember that latest iOS 12 update in iPad offers a new suite of features called Screen Time, which enable you to monitor and limit your use of apps and websites. These are particularly useful for parents looking to keep tabs on their kids’ usage. If you have not yet updated your iOS  then do so and if still you don’t have time then no worries as iOS 11 too has its own parental control features which are but a bit more limited.

iPad settings restrictions

Have settings restrictions

It is better to have settings restrictions on your iPad with a password to lock the apps . The setting restrictions on the apps that can be used, the content that can be viewed and the amount of time that can be spent with the device only helps if you set a password  to it because your smart kid and get these settings off so better have a passcode.

Go to Settings > Screen Time and tap Use Screen Time Passcode, then enter a four-digit code in IOS 12. But if you have iOS 11 then go to Settings > General > Restrictions. You’ll be asked to create a passcode.

Let app store ask for password

When you need to make any online transactions let app store ask for password for for every purchase. As the free games apps have in app purchases which will tempt your child to buy more free coins or free credits to continue the game.  By default, App Store passwords only have to be entered once every 15 minutes. To change this in iOS 12, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Turn on restrictions using the toggle at the top then tap iTunes & App Store Purchases and change the Require Password setting to Always Require.

In iOS 11 or earlier go to Settings > General > Restrictions, then change the Require Password setting to Immediately. Now, every time your child goes to buy something, they’ll be asked to type in the password.

iPad control for kids

Stop kids downloading apps and IAPs

It is also better to  stop apps or in-app purchases being downloaded at all in the first place. For this go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases and you can tap Installing Apps and/or In-app Purchases and change Allow to Don’t Allow. It’s possible to prevent apps being deleted in the same way.

In iOS 11 or earlier, go to the Settings > General > Restrictions menu and change the Installing Apps or In-App Purchases slider to off which is from green to white.

Block specific apps

You can also block specific apps which you think might hinder your privacy. Simply Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps. From here you can turn off access to Mail, Safari, FaceTime, Camera, Siri and other apps and features. Note that if you block an app, its icon will disappear from the Home screen. You can do much the same thing in iOS 11’s Restrictions menu.

limit adult content on iPad

Block inappropriate content

If you think certain content or graphic or any app or site will harm your kid or will misguide him then in OS 12’s Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions menu, tap Content Restrictions. On the next screen you can fine-tune the ratings you will permit to be downloaded.

Tap Films, for instance, and you can put a tick next to 12 to allow films of that rating or below. There are separate but similar age ratings for apps, and you can specify that books, music and podcasts must be clean or allow explicit as well. In iOS 11, go to Settings > General > Restrictions to prevent kids from downloading content from the iTunes Store that may be inappropriate. Tap each different type of content like music, movies etc and choose your preferred age rating.

Create a separate Apple ID

If you have kids over 13 then Apple advises that you should create an individual Apple ID for them to use. With this you can easily switch from your Apple ID to your child’s and vice versa whenever you need. Also you can ensure that your child’s Apple ID has no credit card on file, meaning there’s no money for them to spend in the first place. In order to switch between Apple IDs, you’ll need to go to Settings and tap the picture/name at the top. Now tap iTunes & App Store, then tap the Apple ID at the top and Sign Out.

Having separate Apple ID will free you from all the above described hassles and you can hand over your iPad to your kid safely without any worries.

Wanna know more then click here to know what Apple has to say on parent control.