iPhone Parental Control

On Friday, April 23rd at 1:45 pm (PST), Suren Ramasubbu and Jennifer Wivagg will be presenting in the Learning Sharing Online Conference on the following topic: Individualized instruction and learning using the iPod Touch, to attend the session go here: http://knowevents.ca/course/view.php?id=11

During their presentation, they will also be reviewing how Mobicip's safe browser app helps parents take responsibility of the iPod Touches and iPhones so their kids can safely use their mobile devices.  They will also briefly review, Mobicip’s dynamic content filtering which allows kids and teens to safely learn, love and use the mobile web - anytime, anywhere. 

There is more information about the presentation below and here: http://knowevents.ca/user/view.php?id=77&course=1

Comal ISD in New Braunfels, TX, has implemented a 1:1 learning program using the Apple iPod Touch for its English language learners. Middle school students who participate in the program are each given an iPod Touch that contains apps, music, documents, presentations and instructional videos that allow the students to learn on their own time outside of school hours. Participants in this session will get an inside view of the program, how the program evolved from concept to reality, cover acceptable use policy, security and deployment management, and anecdotal evidence of the benefits derived by students participating in the program.

On Thursday, April 15th at 2:40 pm (EST), Lynne Goodhand and Susan Wells will be presenting in Second Life on the following topic: Education in Hand - Innovation with iPod Touches, to attend the session go here: http://conference.unctlt.org/program/index.php?sort=date&date=2010-04-15#1228

During their presentation, they will also be reviewing Mobicip’s dynamic content filtering which allows kids and teens to safely learn, love and use the mobile web - anytime, anywhere.  And how Mobicip helps parents take responsibility of the iPod Touches and iPhones so their kids can safely use their mobile devices.

There is more information about the presentation below:

The educational use of iPod Touches through school-wide implementation at our school has served as a catalyst for collaboration and discussion between and among students, educators, and other community members. Discussions about applications and the implementation of this new technology have opened new doors to dialog about teaching and learning across disciplines. The iPod Touch provides instant access to the internet and forces conversations about appropriate, engaging, educational resources available when planning and carrying out lessons. Initial conversations as to how one uses the iPod Touch in the classroom have shifted to more specific, focused questions. Conversation now centers on which apps and sites are used to reinforce each discrete objective in the curriculum. Students benefit daily from collaborative opportunities as they enjoy inquiry based learning. This session explains our journey from planning phase, through our present place where each student carries an iPod touch each day every day.

Mobicip was featured in this article on the Huffington Post. Excerpts below.

To read the full article, follow this link.

Here are 10 things parents need to consider before handing an iPhone or iPod Touch to a pre-teen or teen.

1. Protect the Device From Accidents

For all the convenience of a pocket handheld device, the iPod Touch can be broken relatively easily, and the glossy touchscreen can get dirty and scratched quickly. To be on the safe side, buy a hard case with a touch-sensitive screen protector, and a stand. If you have a pool in your backyard, you may want to consider a waterproof case.

2. Discuss Rules

Discuss the ground rules. Where and when can they use it, and what can they use it for. No running around with the device in one hand in the park, that they should be seated while using it, and no browsing late into the night, for instance. In addition, discuss this article with him/her, and explain why you are setting up restrictions. Our recommendation is that you baseline what you agree on, and use it to setup the controls described below.

3. Setup the iTunes Account

The iPhone and iPod Touch can be tied to specific iTunes account on your computer. Setup the account yourself, even if it has your child's username, so that you have control over the iTunes settings on the computer. For instance, you can setup a credit card for purchases from the iTunes Store so that you have fine-grained control over what can be purchased, and also to ensure you are notified upon a purchase.

4. Create a Device Passcode

It is conceivable that you or your child will personalize the iPod Touch with access to your personal email and other social networking apps like Facebook etc. If the device is lost or stolen and ends up in the wrong hands, these accounts can be misused or compromised. For safety, setup a passcode to access the iPod Touch itself, and share this passcode with your child. You can setup a 4-digit passcode by selecting Settings > General > Passcode.

5. Setup Internet Filtering & Web Parental Controls

Decide if you want to allow unfettered access to the Internet. The iPhone and iPod Touch are powerful browsing devices and can be used to access any website that can be accessed from a regular browser on your computer. This is a big departure from the previous generation of cell phones and handheld devices that had limited access to websites that had a customized mobile interface.

Thankfully. Apple has built excellent parental control restrictions for the iPhone and iPod Touch in the latest version of the OS (iPhone OS 3.x and later). As part of these restrictions, you can block access to the Safari Mobile browser and enable a safe browser such as the one offered by Mobicip.com as the default browser for your child. You can setup restrictions by selecting Settings > General > Restrictions and using a 4-digit restrictions passcode. Enable restrictions using a 4-digit restrictions passcode (not to be confused with the device passcode), and DO NOT share this passcode with your child. Do not forget it either, for you will have to jump through hoops to reset it.

The Mobicip Safe Browser offers a safe, secure and protected environment for your tween or teen or learn responsible and safe browsing. To customize the settings and monitor Internet activity through the browser, you can purchase a Mobicip.com Premium subscription.

6. Allow or Disable YouTube?

Depending on the age of your child, you may or may not want to allow access to the built-in YouTube app on the iPhone. While YouTube does a reasonably good job of keeping hardcore content out, kinky stuff does get in and they are fairly easy to come across as part of regular usage. Select Settings > General > Restrictions > YouTube > OFF.

7. Allow or Disable iTunes?

Decide if you want to allow access to iTunes. Not to be confused with iTunes on the computer, iTunes on the device allows the user to access and purchase content directly without going through the computer. You can disable access to iTunes completely by selecting Settings > General > Restrictions > iTunes > OFF.

8. Allow or Disable Third-Party Apps?

Decide if you want to allow your child to install and/or purchase apps from the App Store. You can choose to restrict apps by default, and only allow a purchase with your permission. i.e. when you enter the password. You can do this after you purchase all the apps your child wants, then have him/her come to you when they need an additional app. To disable the installation of third-party apps from the App Store, simply select Settings > General > Restrictions > Installing Apps > OFF.

9. Setup Age-appropriate Filtering for iTunes Content

If you choose to allow temporary or permanent access to iTunes, make sure that you setup age-based restrictions for the content. Select Settings > General > Restrictions > Allowed Content

In App Purchases > OFF

Ratings For > United States

Music & Podcasts > Explicit > OFF

Movies > G

TV Shows > G

10. Setup Age-appropriate Filtering for Apps

If you choose to allow temporary or permanent access to the App Store, make sure that you setup age-based restrictions for the App Store content. Select Settings > General > Restrictions > Allowed Content

In App Purchases > OFF

Apps > 4+

Here is a step-by-step guide to setup parental control restrictions on the iPhone or iPod Touch with OS 3.0. Though this page is long, the steps are generally intuitive and easy to follow. This article was also published as part of a popular Google Knol collection. 

General Parental Control Restrictions Setup

• From the home screen, touch the Settings icon, and select General.

• Select Restrictions

• Enter a 4-digit passcode. Make sure you remember this passcode, in case you need to change these settings later on.

• You will see the restrictions screen. Set Safari, YouTube, and Installing Apps to OFF on this screen.

• Scroll down the screen to the Allowed Content area.

• Set In-App Purchases to OFF.

• Select Music & Podcasts. Set Explicit to OFF.

• Select Movies. Select the rating you would like to allow.

• Select TV Shows. Select the rating you would like to allow.

• Select Apps. Select age-based filtering for apps you would like to allow.

• Select Ratings For to change your location if necessary.

• Hit the Home button to return the home screen.

Mobicip Safe Browser Setup

Mobicip™ offers a best-selling alternate browser for Safari that enables parental controls on your child's iPhone or iPod Touch. It is simple to setup and works anytime anywhere! The Mobicip Safe Browser is protected by a mobicip.com account setup by the parent. 

• From the home screen on the device, touch the App Store icon.

• Touch the search tab, and search for "mobicip"

• Select the Mobicip Safe Browser from the search results.

• Touch the price button, it will turn into BUY NOW. Touch this button and enter your iTunes username and password.

NOTE: Please make sure you purchase the app from the iTunes account that will be synced with the device. Your child may have a separate iTunes account to which the device is synced. Please purchase through that account instead of yours. If you have already purchased the app from your account, call iTunes Customer Support and they can cancel and refund the purchase.

• One purchased, the app will be installed on your screen.

• When installation is done, touch the Mobicip icon to launch the app.

• If you don't have a Mobicip.com account already, touch the Create New Account button.

• Once the account is created, login into the app. You should see the browser open up like this.

• Visit www.mobicip.com from your PC to upgrade to the Mobicip.com Premium web application. Mobicip.com Premium is a web-based parental control application that can be accessed from any browser. The Premium application allows you to setup custom Internet filtering settings and policy, and monitor Internet usage on the iPhone and iPod Touch that uses Mobicip as the primary browser.
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That is it! You can be rest assured that your child will have a safe and secure Internet enabled device that he/she can use anytime anywhere!