Yes, Your iPhone Does Have Parental Controls

We recommend checking out the parental controls on your iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad.  They are called restrictions, and here’s how to set them:

• Settings
• General
• Restrictions
• Enable Restrictions
• Set a passcode (and re-enter it)
• Choose OFF to turn off specific features or apps.

The thing is, this disallows your use too, without going back into restrictions to enable it.  So this isn’t great for an iPhone that you share a lot, but is super handy if your child will have any extended time with said device.  Additionally, you can put restrictions on movies, TV shows and even explicit music, which may or may not affect you at all.

Additionally, consider turning off wi-fi altogether on your iPod Touch any time your kids are using it.

Also, after downloading apps, check out the Settings for each one.  Many will have options to turn off all or selected sounds, intro music, the connection to Facebook, etc.  Take advantage of these options. They can make using the app more enjoyable, listening to the app being used more tolerable, and it is certainly safer to turn off any option to connect online for apps that your kids/students are using.  In our reviews we note if there are any settings we think you should change. We are generally sensitive to superfluous noise and unnecessary accolades.

Parental controls go hand-in-hand with teaching your children responsible online use.  Common Sense Media has good information on internet safety, including a video about it, and a list of internet safety basics for kids here.