If iPads were meant for kids, then I would not be writing this post.
This seems applicable to more than just iOS devices, so I’m filing it here in my Parenting collection.
https://davedelong.com/blog/2018/04/06/if-ipads-were-meant-for-kids/
22 thoughts on “If iPads were meant for kids, then I would not be writing this post.”
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I’m not familiar with apple products but some time ago I was searching information about a tablet for my 7yo, and stumbled upon this: androidcentral.com – Setting up a kid-friendly Android device
I never got a tablet so I don’t really know if this works and how useful it is, but the article you posted is very sensible and made me think of this one ^^
< ![CDATA[I'm not familiar with apple products but some time ago I was searching information about a tablet for my 7yo, and stumbled upon this: androidcentral.com – Setting up a kid-friendly Android device
I never got a tablet so I don’t really know if this works and how useful it is, but the article you posted is very sensible and made me think of this one ^^]]>
We have a Fire loaded up with Amazon Freetime and wrapped in a super spongy case, and we’re pretty happy with it. Except for the fact that she acts like it’s fucking smack, both when she’s using it and when we need to take it away.
Sorry, didn’t read the story. Should I?
< ![CDATA[We have a Fire loaded up with Amazon Freetime and wrapped in a super spongy case, and we're pretty happy with it. Except for the fact that she acts like it's fucking smack, both when she's using it and when we need to take it away. Sorry, didn't read the story. Should I?]]>
Wait, holy shit, I just read the story.
How the living fuck are these things not on iPads? Seriously. This is exactly what Freetime does to an Android tablet: it curates content and lets you set time limits for kinds of activity (apps, books, etc.). It wraps the entire tablet up in a kid-specific, kid-friendly way.
I’m betting it’s available on iOS and he just hasn’t looked into it.
< ![CDATA[Wait, holy shit, I just read the story. How the living fuck are these things not on iPads? Seriously. This is exactly what Freetime does to an Android tablet: it curates content and lets you set time limits for kinds of activity (apps, books, etc.). It wraps the entire tablet up in a kid-specific, kid-friendly way.
I’m betting it’s available on iOS and he just hasn’t looked into it.]]>
Is Freetime a third-party thing or an Google/Android/Amazon thing?
support.apple.com – How to use parental controls on your child’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
< ![CDATA[Is Freetime a third-party thing or an Google/Android/Amazon thing? support.apple.com – How to use parental controls on your child’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch]]>
It’s an Amazon thing and it’s not free.
It’s the best $3ish/mo I’ve ever spent. Shit man, it knows her birthday and slowly adapts its curation to her current age. And all that content — every book, show, movie and app — is included in the $3/mo.
< ![CDATA[It's an Amazon thing and it's not free. It's the best $3ish/mo I've ever spent. Shit man, it knows her birthday and slowly adapts its curation to her current age. And all that content -- every book, show, movie and app -- is included in the $3/mo.]]>
The iOS parental settingsdon’t affect non-Apple apps. There’s not even a public API for getting the settings if you wanted to.
< ![CDATA[The iOS parental settingsdon't affect non-Apple apps. There's not even a public API for getting the settings if you wanted to.]]>
Note I do think the regular youtube app is blocked from installing with the content rating set below 17+, which is why the dubious kids version exists.
< ![CDATA[Note I do think the regular youtube app is blocked from installing with the content rating set below 17+, which is why the dubious kids version exists.]]>
The kids version of YouTube is a fucking nightmare! I just let Iris wander around the regular version and I check in once in a while. Mostly she sticks to Taylor Swift videos.
< ![CDATA[The kids version of YouTube is a fucking nightmare! I just let Iris wander around the regular version and I check in once in a while. Mostly she sticks to Taylor Swift videos.]]>
I try not to let Henry anywhere near YouTube. Heck, I’m even sorry I ever showed him Amazon Prime. Netflix feels like the only service that is not 90% garbage for kids.
< ![CDATA[I try not to let Henry anywhere near YouTube. Heck, I'm even sorry I ever showed him Amazon Prime. Netflix feels like the only service that is not 90% garbage for kids.]]>
There’s some really good stuff on Netflix for kids.
< ![CDATA[There's some really good stuff on Netflix for kids.]]>
Prime is a great way to upset your kids by explaining to them you will not pay $20 for them to watch this video but they can watch all these other ones that are free.
< ![CDATA[Prime is a great way to upset your kids by explaining to them you will not pay $20 for them to watch this video but they can watch all these other ones that are free.]]>