Parents need control

While it may be hard to say no to your children when they ask for a device, it is easy to stop them from accessing inappropriate content.

Children love using smartphones and tablets but if you’re not careful you may find them using an app or watching a video that will horrify you or make you blush.

Both Apple and Android have what they call parental controls that make it easy for parents to take control and set up a device so kids only access what is suitable for their ages.

Apple uses what it calls Restrictions, which lets you control what a device can or can’t access. It allows you set a password so only you can change settings.

For example, you can block Safari so your child can’t access the internet. You can also block inapp purchases.

However, the best way to

No child should have unfettered access to the internet, movies or apps.

control apps to create your child’s Apple ID so it’s connected to your account. That way you get to approve any app before it can be downloaded on their device. Another part of Restrictions involves putting age limits on content and apps.

There’s also a privacy section so you can stop apps tracking your location or restrict what apps can access the photos on your phone.

Apple’s approach assumes your child will have their own device, while Android assumes they’ll be using yours.

That’s why Android phones allow you to add extra user accounts to your phone. You can do this for each of your children, allowing you to lock down what apps are downloaded, set content filters and prevent app purchases.

Google is due to release Family Link, a new app that will help parents control phones used by their children. This has similar features to the built-in controls along with being able to set when a device can be used.

While restrictions work well, they’re useless unless parents set them up. They can also be problematic if used without talking to your children about what you are doing and why you are doing it.

If your kids grumble, do it anyway - no child should have unfettered access to the internet, movies or apps.