In today’s society, kids are becoming adroit computer users at younger and younger ages. However the fact that they can use the computer does not necessarily mean they are ready for everything that comes with that ability. Apple has made a concerted effort to help with this issue in the form of parental controls. While we won’t pretend that changing a few computer settings will take the place of everyday parenting and talking to your kids about computer usage, it may help with many day to day issues.
Parental Controls in Snow Leopard
A number of parental controls can be found within Snow Leopard. The instructions that follow are in accordance with the latest operating system upgrade (10.6.6.) This version has been changed slightly to reflect the addition of the new App store, so if your set up looks different simply run your software updates to get the latest version.
The first step in applying these is to make an account for the child or children who will be using the computer. Do this by going to the account window, add an account, and then check off the box that says parental controls. Once this is done, a parental control window will pop up and different settings can be applied.
Apps
The first tab within the parental control options is the Apps tab. Here you can choose to utilize a “Simple Finder,” which provides a simplified view of the desktop for young or inexperienced users. Creating a separate account for a child gives them access only to what you want them to have access to, both on the internet and on the computer’s local drive.
Within the “Apps” tab you can also choose to allow your child to access only specified applications while blocking others. If the the child tries to access an application that has not been pre-approved, a prompt will come up asking for a password set by the administrator in order to gain access to that application. In this section you can also choose to block the ability to burn CDs and DVDs, change passwords, and modify the dock.
Web
The next tab is the “Web” tab. Here, as the administrator you can hide profanity in the dictionary, and set website restrictions (either by limiting sites with adult content or allowing access only to websites that you have listed. )
People
The tab labeled “People” can be used to limit the use of Mail and iChat by allowing your child to only correspond with email and iChat users who you have pre-approved. In addition, if someone who has not been pre-approved tries to contact your child, you can have an approval email sent to your email account so that you can decide whether or not to allow that user.
Web
The next tab is “Time Limits” which can be used to impose limits on how long a child can use the computer for each day. These can be set to different amounts of time depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. In addition, a bedtime can be set where the child is unable to access the computer at all between certain hours.
Other
The last tab is labeled “Other.” Here you can hide profanity in the dictionary, limit printer administration, limit CD and DVD burning, and prevent your child from changing the password.
The computer itself is not the only place where parental controls can be established. Parental controls can also be used on the iPod Touch, iPad, and iPhone.
Parental Controls on Apple Mobile Devices
The parental controls on an iPod Touch, iPad, or iPhone can be found by clicking on Settings, General, Restrictions, and entering a passcode to control what the mobile device can be used for. After setting a passcode you can choose which Applications are allowed on the mobile device. These include Safari, YouTube, iTunes, the ability to Install apps, camera use and location use. The other control found in this area is the Content Restrictions control. Here you can either turn off any application purchases, or you can set ratings for what child can access. You can set ratings for music and podcasts, movies, TV shows, and apps.
At the end of the day, none of the aforementioned parental controls are going to completely remove every potential threat that comes with computer usage. However we feel that these tools, coupled with talking to your children about safe computer and internet use, as well as monitoring their activities as much as possible, can help keep kids safe in the world of technology.
