UPDATE: This article is applicable to the iPhone OS 2.2.1. A more recent step-by-step guide is now available for iPhone OS 3.x.
TIME magazine refers to the iPhone as "increasingly the source of forbidden fruit", referring to ubiquitous Internet access on the device. Today, "iPhone porn" is among the top iPhone related searches on Google.
Apple released some parental control features for the iPhone in response to these concerns, but that was not considered enough. Other independent developers, like Mobicip.com, have stepped in to solve the problem for parents.
How do I setup parental controls for the iPhone or iPod Touch? We are often asked this question by parents who are not savvy with these smart devices. Of course, you got it for your kids. So, here we take a walk through the setup, step by little step.
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From the Home screen, touch the 'App Store' icon to launch it.
- Search for 'mobicip'.
- Select 'mobicip safe browser' from the list.
- Select the Mobicip Safe Browser. You should see the FREE button at the top right.
- Select the FREE button and it will turn into INSTALL.
- Touch the INSTALL button. The App Store will close and you will see the Mobicip Safe Browser app being installed.
- In a few seconds, you should see the Mobicip app on the screen. Now touch the icone named 'Settings'.
- Select General.
- Select Restrictions from the bottom of the screen.
- Select Enable Restrictions
- Enter a passcode. Make sure you remember this passcode.
- You should now see the restrictions screen.
- Here you can disable any or all of the items on the list. Our recommendation is to restrict Safari, Explicit content on iTunes, and Installing Apps from the App Store.
- Tap the home button to return to the home screen.
- Now launch the Mobicip app and login (Note: From your PC, you can create a free account onhttp://www.mobicip.com, and select your filtering level.)
Now let your child know that the default browser to use is Mobicip, the one with the little cute icon.
As you can see, it was very easy. You have ensured that your child can access Internet content safely on the iPhone or iPod Touch.
I hope this helps those parents who are admittedly non-gadget-friendly and need some assistance.
As you can see, it was very easy. You have ensured that your child can access Internet content safely on the iPhone or iPod Touch.
I hope this helps those parents who are admittedly non-gadget-friendly and need some assistance.
Comments
3 comments postedGreat article, I am not technically savvy my husband is, but he is deployed through the holidays and I have 13 yr old son who really wants an ipod touch for christmas. I didnt think I was going to get it for him because I didnt want him to access inappropiate things (he is a 13yr boy afterall) So I decided to see what I could learn and this was extremely helpful and easy. I was wondering why the app store should be blocked, is there apps a teenager shouldnt be getting?
Thanks for your kind comments. We are glad that you found this tutorial useful. Please note that this is for an older version - iOS 2.x. You can find an updated tutorial for the latest version of the iOS - 4.x - by following this link - How to Setup Parental Controls on iPhone & iPod Touch (iOS4 Edition).
Yes, if you allow unrestricted access to App Store, he may be able to download an alternative browser and use that to work around Mobicip's protection. That is why we recommend that you either lock the App Store or set age-based restrictions and monitor the apps on the device closely. The tutorial above should walk you through the setup steps.
Mobicip Support
Thanks for the great article. Although I am technically savvy I did not know about this software. I use Net nanny on the home PC. The Mobicip does carry a $4.99 price tag on the App Store now instead of free.
Thanks again.