Parental Control on iPad: Settings and Restrictions

Includes a code to avoid changes

Before starting to configure the different limitations on the iPad it is important to apply a code. With this code we make sure that the little ones cannot make changes in the configuration that we have previously applied. It is important to note that every time we go to make changes we must introduce it, and it can always be recovered through iCloud. To configure this code for the first time, simply follow these steps:

1. Head to Settings> Usage time.
2. Click on the option ‘Use code for Time of use’.
3. Enter the code you want in duplicate and log in with your Apple ID to be able to retrieve it in the future.

In addition to allowing us to make changes in the future about the configuration, with this code we can momentarily skip some options that we have configured. For example, if we have restricted communications but try to make a call, we will be asked for this code to verify that it is the adult who is authorizing this action.

Schedule a break schedule

It is never advisable to spend a lot of time in front of an iPad or any technological product. This is why it is always interesting to impose a time of hours of use and a period of inactivity. This will prevent a child from sneaking on the iPad all night. When we activate this mode we can impose a schedule for every day or customize it. For example, on weekends we can lengthen it a little more and on days of going to school shorten it. Always five minutes before the period of inactivity begins, a warning will be issued so that you can finish taking advantage of it.

To configure the inactivity schedule, follow these steps:

1. On the iPad go to Settings> Time of use.
2. Go to the ‘Downtime’ section.
3. Activate the corresponding option.
4. Set the schedule that most interests you so that the little ones can rest.

Limit the use of apps

If your son or daughter spends too many hours playing Fortnite or using any other application that takes time from their studies, you can restrict it. Although it is possible to use it daily, a maximum time of use can be imposed. Once this type is exceeded, access to the specific application will be blocked until the next day. This is undoubtedly extremely interesting to make a responsible use of the iPad and impose specific hours to play or other entertainment.

In general, we can limit the use of a specific group of applications such as ‘Games’, ‘Entertainment’, ‘Social networks’ … and within each of the categories we can choose a specific app.

To apply this usage limitation, the following steps must be followed:

1. Go to Settings> Time of use.
2. Go to ‘Limits of use of apps’.
3. Click on ‘Add limit’.
4. Choose the application you want to limit.
5. Select the maximum usage time per day.

In the event that on a specific day you want to grant a longer time of use of that application, you can enter the code that we have previously configured to authorize an extension of that time.

Apply limitations in communication

Another critical aspect that must be controlled when the little one in the house receives an iPad is communications . Through FaceTime there are many people who can communicate with the minor or the calls they can make. That is why some of the Time of use options allow us to block incoming or outgoing calls, and even choose a small group of authorized people to communicate with. To make this configuration, simply follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings> Time of use.
2. Go to ‘Communication limits’.
3. In the first section you can configure communication while the iPad is in ‘active’ mode. Among the available options we find ‘Only contacts’, ‘Contacts and groups with at least one contact’, ‘Everyone’.
4. When the iPad is in idle mode we can also define if everyone can make calls or only the contacts that we have selected.

Restrict inappropriate content on iPad

There is a lot of content on the internet, in the App Store or in many other services that is not suitable for minors. This is why within ‘Time of use’ we find a section called ‘Restrictions’. Here we find a lot of content limitations for the little ones and we can always activate or deactivate it independently of the rest of the configurations. You just have to go to Settings> Time of use> Restrictions and activate the first option that comes up.

Prevent purchases on the App Store

One of the aspects that you must control when leaving an iPad to the smallest of the house is shopping. It’s easy to buy multiple apps at once without knowing what you’re doing or even making in-app purchases. To avoid scares in the checking account at the end of the month, it is important to restrict these purchases and also the installation of unauthorized apps. To apply this restriction on the iPad, simply follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings> Usage times.
2. Go to ‘Restrictions’.
3. Enter the access code.
4. Click on ‘iTunes and App Store purchases’.

In this section you can choose to restrict the installation or removal of applications in addition to purchases within the app. To apply the restriction simply press one of these sections and choose ‘Do not allow’.

Apply an age restriction

It is known to everyone that there are many songs or movies that are not indicated for the little ones . We know this thanks to the rating given to it in Apple Music, Apple TV + and even the App Store, since there are many apps that are also intended for use by adults. We as adults can prevent this type of content from being displayed by applying an age restriction. To apply it, simply follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings> Usage time.
2. Click on ‘Restrictions’.
3. Go to ‘Content restrictions’
4. In the first block we will have the possibility of entering each of the sections and choosing the age limit. We can even choose not to allow movies or songs to avoid downloading or viewing them on the iPad.

It can be seen that there are many options that the operating system gives us to restrict access to music, podcasts, movies, applications and even books. It is even possible to choose the age rating for a specific country since in each region it may vary depending on the legislation.

Limit access to internet content

The Internet can be a great ally in the day to day for all the information it offers us and the amount of entertainment content it provides us. But there is also a ‘dark side’ for adults that it is better not to visit the smallest of the house. In order to prevent them from entering this type of adult web pages, we can apply a restriction on web content. In this way you can limit adult websites and even restrict access to the entire website except for some pages that we authorize. In order to apply this configuration, the following steps must be followed:

1. Go to Settings> Usage time.
2. Click on ‘Restrictions’.
3. Enter the ‘Content restrictions’ section, and then ‘Web content’.
4. Choose ‘Limit access to adult websites’. If you want to filter in a much more precise way, you can add specific web pages in the ‘Always allow’ or ‘Never allow’ section.

In the event that we only want to choose specific applications, we will click on ‘Only allowed websites’. In this case, a series of pre-selected websites will be displayed that have familiar content such as Disney. But you can always add any website that interests you that is visited by the little one of the house on the iPad.

Restrict the use of applications

If you are leaving your iPad to a child, you may not want them to access different native applications. But it is also not interesting to have to eliminate the applications and then reinstall them, so you can simply deactivate them. With this option, every time the restrictions are activated, the applications you choose will be inaccessible. But by removing the restriction option you can continue using it without problem since it is never removed. The only problem is that for obvious reasons this limitation applies only to native apps like FaceTime, Safari and others.

In order to hide them, simply follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings> Usage time.
2. Enter Restrictions.
3. Go to ‘Apps allowed’

Limit Siri language

When using Siri to make a query, it is possible that in most cases it will do an internet search. And sometimes we also have to see how Siri uses explicit language after doing this search. This is why we can limit our iPad assistant a little to prevent it from searching or simply always limit explicit language. Applying the restriction is as easy as following the steps below:

1. Go to Settings> Usage time.
2. Click on ‘Restrictions’.
3. Go to ‘Content restrictions’.
4. In the block titled ‘Siri’ you can change all the options, both explicit language or web searches.

As you can see, it is easy to configure all these options that iPadOS offers us. The truth is that it is highly recommended if our son or daughter is going to have an iPad for the first time independently or if we leave ours.

And you, have you configured these parental control parameters?