Parental Controls for iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad
Monday, January 30, 2012, 4:45 PM
Lots of kids have or want an iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad -- including my kids. These devices are very popular for games, music, videos, and much more. They are feature-rich and have Wi-Fi access.
Many parents wish to manage their child's web surfing and usage on these devices rather than granting unbridled access. Apple offers a few built-in parental controls options. None of them give you the ability to filter Internet content; however, Net Nanny will soon solve that challenge.
Net Nanny for iOS (Apple) devices will be available in March 2013. Net Nanny for iOS is a Web browser that replaces the Safari browser. If you choose to use Net Nanny for iOS to control your child's web browsing, we suggest you do the following on your child's device. Note that these steps must be taken because of the configuration and design of the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad.
First, purchase and download Net Nanny for iOS from the iTunes Store.
Next, to ensure you've got Internet content filtering controlled with the Net Nanny browser, enable Restrictions with a Passcode. Go to Settings > General > Restrictions > Enable Restrictions. Enter a 4-digit Restrictions Passcode (then re-enter your passcode).
Third, disable the Safari Browser to remove unfiltered access to the Internet. Go to Settings > General > Restrictions > Tap "off" for Safari. If your child uses the Net Nanny browser, she will be protected while surfing the Web.
Now, to prevent your child from installing apps or another browser, go to Settings > General > Restrictions > Tap "off" for Installing Apps. This action could prevent your child from trying to use another browser that does not provide Internet filtering protection.
Finally, to prevent your child from deleting apps, go to Settings > General > Restrictions > Tap "off" for Deleting Apps. This action prevents your child from deleting the Net Nanny browser app. If a child deletes Net Nanny and if Safari is turned off and if Installing Apps is turned off, she will have not have Web access.
One other parental control consideration is to shut off YouTube. In Restrictions, you can disable the YouTube app. Younger children will undoubtedly stumble across inappropriate videos on YouTube. Go to Settings > General > Restrictions > Tap "off" for YouTube.
We look forward to assisting parents in the management of Web access and usage when Net Nanny for iOS releases.
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Comments
Kim, Joe, and Mary, Net Nanny for iOS will only filter the internet activity through its own application, the Net Nanny Browser.
Posted by Moderator, 17/05/2013 1:36pm (20 days ago)
Diane, Net Nanny for iOS cannot be customized. In order to change the filter level you will need to remove the Net Nanny application from your phone and then reinstall it and select a different level of filtering. The iOS device has a restrictions option that can be enabled to prevent installing or uninstalling apps.
Posted by Moderator, 17/05/2013 1:25pm (20 days ago)
Paul, being the one with the problem is difficult, but don't give up. I recommend finding someone to help, who can keep you accountable for what you can view. Have this partner control your web access (i.e. passwords) if at all possible, so you can't be tempted to override blocks. Keep fighting! Also, as far as certain sites not being blocked, because technology is incapable of making a moral decision on an image or a video Net Nanny iOS filters out websites according to the written words on a page that is a non-secure site (http). We do hope to add a tool to customize the app in a future release but do not have any specific time frames yet.
Posted by Moderator, 07/05/2013 5:00pm (30 days ago)
I was disappointed with the new net nanny for the iphone. I have always turned off web browsing. He recently bought an app to learn about Greek methology and found a back door onto the internet. The net nanny does not help with filtering from this app. Therefore, even with net nanny istalled on his phone, he can still access the web through another app unfiltered. Ugh!!!
Posted by Kim, 05/05/2013 5:57pm (1 month ago)
so what? i'm the one with the problem and this doesn't really help at all.
Posted by paul f., 03/05/2013 8:51pm (1 month ago)
Would love the option to be able to block and or allow certain websites and yet act just like the safari browser. Internet filters are not just for children they can be used for adults with addiction problems and are highly recommended by counselors. So when you have an adult that needs to have sites allowed to do work I haven't found one yet that allows the sites you want them to be able to use.
Posted by Sherry, 12/04/2013 5:42pm (2 months ago)
This app has already been done in the Apple store by many others. This is not parental control in anyway. For example, my son is 3 years old, I gave him my iPad 2 and downloaded the Disney Toy Story read-a-long book. My son managed to surf the Internet using that app because of the advertising Disney had on the app. I found him on YouTube watching videos and could have sworn I blocked safari. I asked him how did he get there and he was happy to show me. I was amazed! To the point only Apple can honestly create parental controls unless you jail break it.
Posted by Jimmy Isbill, 12/04/2013 4:46pm (2 months ago)
thanks for your advice
Posted by Margaret, 06/04/2013 1:02pm (2 months ago)
LOVE the net nanny app. The internet works great, no difference from safari app as far as speed and function, but any inappropriate material is filtered. When you buy the app, it asks you what filter setting you want: high, medium or low (that setting cannot be changed unless you reinstall the app, so choose carefully!) We chose High. I was a little worried it wouldn't let any website through, but that's not the case! It still allows our family to use the internet without any problems, but without all the filth. I can't say enough how much I love this app! We did just as the instructions say (disabled safari, downloading, and deleting apps) and we also got rid of youtube and google apps as well. The net nanny app lets you still search for youtube videos, but filters the search (unlike the youtube app). What my favorite thing about it is that the search history on the net nanny app can't be erased. So if your child is searching for something inappropriate, you will see all the searches performed and sites visited (blocked or not). It opens the door for conversations with your child about the things they are searching for, and hopefully parents can be the source of information, instead of the internet.
Posted by Em, 21/03/2013 11:03am (3 months ago)
Now the wait is finally over....why do I now have to pay for the iPad version. I assumed that like covenant eyes, net nanny would only be available to subscribers. I hesitate to download in case it's just another Mickey Mouse so called safe browser.
Posted by Mal Buckley, 06/03/2013 6:29pm (3 months ago)
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