Why use iPad Restrictions?
iPad restrictions allow parents to control (to some extent) what young users can access on the iPad, maintaining a safer learning environment. Please ensure that iPad restrictions have been set up as outlined in Section 2 (p. 5) of our 1 to 1 Parent Handbook - iOS7 Setup Guide.
Keep your 4-digit Restrictions code in a safe place. If this passcode is lost or forgotten, the iPad will need to be restored to factory settings. ...Not a pretty prospect!
How do I check Safari history?
Spot Safari history checks are carried out from time to time at school, though this can sometimes be disruptive to precious teaching and learning time. We strongly advise that you regularly check Safari history at home to see how your children are using their internet browser. Here's how:
Why can't I clear Safari history?
When you have checked the list, you should Clear it. However, when Safari Restrictions are set to block "adult content", Safari history cannot be cleared. While this can be a little inconvenient, preventing access to adult content is absolutely essential for student users and we believe it is far better that parents and teachers can check which websites have been visited in the iPad's browser.
If the Clear button is grey and unavailable this is GOOD because you know that adult content is restricted. To clear the history, you will have to take off this Websites restriction momentarily. Here's how:
Yes, it's a few extra steps but you'll quickly get used to it. We all hold our children's safety and well-being as our highest priority and we believe this is the best way to safeguard and monitor children's internet activity on the iPads.
What else can I do?
If you cannot be with your children when they are using the iPad, you may choose to:
iPad restrictions allow parents to control (to some extent) what young users can access on the iPad, maintaining a safer learning environment. Please ensure that iPad restrictions have been set up as outlined in Section 2 (p. 5) of our 1 to 1 Parent Handbook - iOS7 Setup Guide.
Keep your 4-digit Restrictions code in a safe place. If this passcode is lost or forgotten, the iPad will need to be restored to factory settings. ...Not a pretty prospect!
How do I check Safari history?
Spot Safari history checks are carried out from time to time at school, though this can sometimes be disruptive to precious teaching and learning time. We strongly advise that you regularly check Safari history at home to see how your children are using their internet browser. Here's how:
- Open Safari.
- Tap the Bookmarks icon (to the right of the address bar). Tap History.
- Scan all sites in the list. Tap any website address to open and revisit that site. Notice the 'Clear' button at the bottom of the list...
Why can't I clear Safari history?
When you have checked the list, you should Clear it. However, when Safari Restrictions are set to block "adult content", Safari history cannot be cleared. While this can be a little inconvenient, preventing access to adult content is absolutely essential for student users and we believe it is far better that parents and teachers can check which websites have been visited in the iPad's browser.
If the Clear button is grey and unavailable this is GOOD because you know that adult content is restricted. To clear the history, you will have to take off this Websites restriction momentarily. Here's how:
- Go to Settings > General > Restrictions
- Enter your Restrictions passcode
- Scroll down to Websites
- Tap All Websites
- Now switch to Safari and clear the History (see image in Step 3. above)
- Switch back to Restrictions > Websites and tap Limit Adult Content
Yes, it's a few extra steps but you'll quickly get used to it. We all hold our children's safety and well-being as our highest priority and we believe this is the best way to safeguard and monitor children's internet activity on the iPads.
What else can I do?
If you cannot be with your children when they are using the iPad, you may choose to:
- Turn off home wireless access: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi. Tap your home wireless network name.
Tap Forget this Network.
When you want to allow use of the wireless network again, the password will be required. - Disable Safari: Go to Settings > General > Restrictions. Enter your Restrictions passcode. Tap the button next to Safari, so that no green is visible. Safari cannot be opened now until this button is turned on again.
- Only allow access to particular websites: Go to Settings > General > Restrictions. Enter your Restrictions passcode. Select Websites.Select Specific Websites Only. For each website you wish to allow, copy/paste the URL (address) in here.
You will also notice that you can enter particular websites to be blocked. First select Limit Adult Content. Then paste the URLs of specific websites to be blocked or 'always allowed'.
- Disable Safari and install a Kid-safe browser app instead: ...such as Net Nanny, Mobicip or Ranger Browser (see images below). These apps provide added functionality such as age-based filtering, remote access and restricting internet browsing to specific times of the day.
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| Ranger Browser, currently FREE |
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| Net Nanny, currently $5.49 |
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| Mobicip, currently FREE |
Please remember that no settings or parental controls are a magic safety fix - nothing can replace good old-fashioned adult supervision, so let's all stay vigilant!
