More on Kids and the Touch

Time for a "review" of a product I don't own.

Imagine that.

Apple has included some parental controls in the iPhone OS(directions are for the iPhone, but similar on the Touch). I strongly suggest that you review them if you have given your kids an iPhone or Touch. Also note, they can get around them - don't assume that they are still in place if you set them up, but let them do the syncing. Be the smart involved parent - check to see what they are doing on the device. This is not a case of "set it and forget it" if you have enabled them. (which i understand is a huge debate - and I'm honestly not interested in that here on my BLOG :D)

There is a product/app that I probably should have mentioned in the other post. I think i just forgot because for me, it is a given that i'd throw this on any device the kids had free reign on. That is Mobicip. Mobicip is an alternate browser for the iPhone/Touch. At a minimum, you purchase the App for $4.99 and configure it, then disable Safari. You get to choose from 3 levels of website filters - Elementary, Middle School and High School. To further enhance that, they offer a Premium membership, which is $9.99 a year (per device). This allows you a whole wealth of choices in the control area - like excluding certain sites and such. You know, in case your child is grounded from a site for making some not so great choices. Not that THAT has happened here.....

Because I don't own the App yet, I can't share a lot - except I was waiting WITH the developer for their Approval from Apple. I was very happy when it went through. Please take the time to weigh the options if you give your child access to one of these devices. One thing to keep in mind is that even if you have your home net locked down and such, that doesn't prevent them from free access when going other places with available wifi. I personally think this is an oversight on Apple's end (and, I have expressed that on their feedback page), especially with their push to market the Touch as a gaming device. I know a few parents that honestly had no clue their kids could access what they could on the Touch. It's not just a music player :D There is just stuff available online that kids aren't ready to see until you as the parent decide (in my opinion), and products like Mobicip make it easier for you.

So take the time to check out Mobicip and see if it is something you might need.