Before you give your old iPad a new purpose (and a new owner), you’ll want to make sure that it’s suitable and safe for your child to use. Here’s how to convert your old device into a child-friendly tablet.
Step 1: Wipe Your Files
First things first, you’ll want to remove all of your old data from the machine. Kids are curious little animals after all – remember the time Tommy called 911 by accident… 18 times in a row? Do you really want to give him full access to your email and Snapchat account?
Probably not.
Grab your cable and connect the device to your computer. Allow all of your data to be backed up into iTunes (this way you can restore it onto a different device). Once that’s complete, it’s time to reconfigure the device with the latest version of iOS. To do this, select the “Restore iPad” option. When the restore is complete, you’re going to want to choose to set the iPad up as a “New Device”.
Click the Restore iPad button to return the device to its original operating settings.
Once the setup is complete, you can rest assured that your personal data is well out of your child’s reach.
Step 2: Keep an Eye on App Downloads
Keep a close eye on what your youngster is downloading to their new device by planning out a syncing strategy that keeps your Apple ID at the helm. By using your ID, rather than creating a separate one for your child, you’ll able to see exactly what’s being loaded to the iPad.
If your children are older and you want to keep them from accidentally accessing your apps in the iTunes App Store, you’ll need to create a new Apple ID on their behalf. This will require an email address and password.
Worried that your child will rack up a monster bill if provided unsupervised access to the App Store? Avoid this possibility entirely by creating an Apple ID account that isn’t tied to a credit card.
Step 3: Restrict Access Where Necessary
Many parents don’t know that you can restrict the types of apps and media that can be downloaded on a device based on its rating in the iTunes App Store. For example, you can restrict movies to G or PG and apps to a specific age group. What’s more, you can also deny in-app purchasing, limit multiplayer games and restrict the ability to add friends within Game Center.
To enable restrictions on a hand-me-down iPad:
- Launch “Settings” on the device.
- Select the “General” option, followed by the “Restrictions”.
- Select the “Enable Restrictions” option at the top of the window.
- At this point, you will be prompted to enter and then re-enter a four-digit passcode.
- You can now configure the iPads restrictions however you like. This includes disabling the device’s camera, restricting access to the iTunes Store and blocking in-app purchases.
Protect your child by restricting certain actions, such as in-app purchasing.
To restrict app purchases based on age, select the “Apps” option from the “Allowed Content” list. Here you can allow “All Apps” or limit them by the ages 17+, 12+, 9+, 4+ or block all apps entirely.
Parent’s can restrict app purchases based on age for additional oversight.
Step 4: Have the “Tech Talk” With Your Child
There is a great deal of responsibility that comes along with owning and accessing technology, especially the kind that enables you to interact with the world around you.
As such, it’s important that you sit down with your child and introduce them to the dangers and opportunities waiting for them in this exciting new chapter of discovery.
Not sure how to talk about tech with your child? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you broach the topic.