Did you know that Apple has launched an update of its software for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad? Yes. Apple has released iOS 4.2 and you can download it here or by clicking on the image below.
Please upgrade the software on your device asap to the latest version. The reason is that Apple has added enhanced parental control options that will make it difficult for a user to delete Mobicip. iOS 4.2 includes an option to prevent the deletion of apps installed by the parent or administrator.
To use this new feature, select Settings > General > Restrictions and enter the restrictions passcode. You will see this screen that you had used to disable Safari in the past. On this screen, you will now see an additional option called Deleting Apps highlighted below. Set this to OFF and your child will not be able to delete Mobicip once it has been setup.
In another much sought after enhancement, Apple has added an option to disallow email accounts from being setup. Whether you have setup a child-friendly email service like Zilladog or Zoobuh, or you simply want to turn off email access, this gives you the ability to lock email accounts and not allow your child to setup an alternate email account. Simply scroll down on the same Restrictions screen to setup this option.
We believe that these are valuable additions and that there is enough reason to upgrade your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad to iOS 4.2.
Updated tutorials with these new options highlighted are coming soon to our knowledge base.
6 Comments
Fine additions, but missing the most important one!
Submitted by Guest on
This updated version of iOS brings a few parental control enhancements but it is lacking the most important one. That is the ability to set a proxy or DNS setting within the Parental Control settings so that you can have all internet access from any application be forced to go through that internet filtering proxy or DNS service. This would solve all of our internet filtering wishes and be done with all of these silly workarounds.
Re: Fine additions, but missing the most important one!
Submitted by Suren on
Setting a proxy was part of the first version of iPhone OS. It was then pulled by Apple and has never been supported thereafter. The issue, we heard at the time, was that people could misuse it for tethering. You are probably aware that DNS-based filtering is quite limited and can only filter by the domain or URL you are trying to access. Setting up a proxy and the ability to lock the setting would be a great option. But going by how the feature was added and then removed, we don't see any signs of it making a comeback.
Even though such a feature is not available, the combination of the iOS's built-in parental controls and an app like Mobicip's Safe Browser can create a safe and secure environment for children on the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.
Mobicip just isn't enough
Submitted by Guest on
Mobicip just isn't enough. If you want to be able to use any of the most popular apps, they also contain built in browsers, so you have to lock them out as well. That takes away more than half of the most used apps in the marketplace. This just isn't a real solution.
Re: Mobicip just isn't enough
Submitted by Suren on
Yes, we understand your opinion on this matter. But given the limitations that Apple imposes on developers like us, and given all the other benefits that the device and its ecosystem of applications and content offers, most parents find the option of disabling the App Store acceptable. As regards other apps that allow access to the web, yes it can be a risk and a possible workaround, but they are not full fledged browsers and are hard to use for regular browsing. Parents can choose which apps to allow or block as well. It is not ideal, but a reasonable way to keep tabs on the usage under the circumstances.
Re: Mobicip just isn't enough
Submitted by Guest on
Mobicip is the best you will find. As a parent you should be controlling the AppStore and iTunes. You should also be getting an email receipt for every app your child downloads. Assuming they are in the Age range (that you also have set with IOS Parental Controls) - you will be safe most of the time. If there are any that are suspicious - then go check out the app yourself. Personally, I have 5 kids - and they have to ask me before installing anything. That sounds like a lot of work - but you know what? Good parenting is hard work.
Re: Re: Mobicip just isn't enough
Submitted by Gita on
Thank you for your kind words about Mobicip. Yes, you are exactly right about keeping track of the apps that are downloaded onto the device. Even the rating of some apps in the App store might not be helpful sometimes.
For instance, Google app is rated 4+, but it acts as a search engine and allows access to all kinds of internet content. This is an issue with almost all apps that have their own browsers. This is the reason why we suggest our users to disable App store and browser apps available on the device. Please see these FAQs and discussions where other parents have encountered this issue and made suggestions.
http://content.mobicip.com/content/ok-i-have-enabled-mobicip-safe-browser-how-do-i-block-private-or-no-history-browsers-available
http://content.mobicip.com/content/now-theres-bing-app
http://content.mobicip.com/content/apps-store-access
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