Parental Controls, also known as Restrictions, let you manage which features, apps, and content your kids can and can't access on the iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. That includes disabling access to Safari, Camera, FaceTime, Siri, AirDrop, CarPlay, and more. With those restrictions in place, you won't have to worry about your kids seeing web pages, taking pictures, making video calls, performing voice commands, sending information, or controlling the car that you'd really rather they didn't.
If you're not sure what each of those apps or services do, here's a quick reference:
- Safari: Safari is Apple's web browser. With it, any page on the web is viewable. (Note, if you don't want to disable Safari completely, you can selectively disable content based on age rating.)
- Camera: Camera is Apple's picture and video taking app. If you have young kids and don't want them randomly snapping pictures around the house, when you or they may not be ready or appropriate for them, you can turn it off.
- FaceTime: FaceTime is Apple's video and audio calling app. It allows you to communicate with anyone who has your iPhone phone number or registered email address for iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. If you don't want your kids making or taking calls without your supervision, you can disable it.
- Siri: Siri is Apple's digital voice assistant. There are tons of questions you can ask Siri and commands you can give it. Since Siri is capable of so much, you can disable it which replaces it with Voice Control, which only allows more basic commands.
- AirDrop: With AirDrop you can wirelessly transfer files between other iPhones and iPads. This also means that depending on settings, their device may be viewable to anyone, which means anyone can send that device files.
- CarPlay: CarPlay is Apple's solution to using iOS in the car. If you have a car that is CarPlay enabled and you don't want a young driver — or back seat driver! — being able to pair their iPhone with the car, disable CarPlay.
How to block specific features with restrictions for iPhone and iPad
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on General.
Tap on Restrictions.
- Tap on Enable Restrictions at the top if you don't already have them turned on. If you do, skip down to step 6.
- Enter a passcode that you'll use to enable and disable apps.
Tap the switch next to each app that you'd like to turn off.
Remember, you can turn any or all of these off, and then selectively turn any or all of them back on when you're around and supervising your child. For example, you can have FaceTime off, but turn it on again for a call to the grandparents. You can have Camera off, but turn it on again for a nature walk. It's all about options!
Questions?
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