Parental Controls on the iPad (new for iOS 8)

With the prevalence of mobile technology, it is changing the lifestyle of children on how they learn and how they communicate. We need to adapt to the new technology so as to guide them in using the technology responsibly. The World Wide Web is filled with information of both beneficial and detrimental to the development of a child; The mobile devices can be a useful tool for learning but it can also be an addictive distraction of games, entertainment and social media.

It is advisable for parents to monitor closely of the child's usage on the mobile technology. It might also help if parental controls are set to limit the app usage as well as to filter out undesirable content until the child is matured enough to self regulate his/her own usage on the mobile technology. This applies to all form of mobile technology like laptops, tablets and smartphones.

On the iPad, iOS 8  has built in features as well as third party apps for parents to monitor and restrict usage on the device. The following are some of the recommendations for configuring the iPad for child's usage.

Creating an Apple ID for your child without Credit Card details in Singapore Store

Not having credit card details can restrict the purchases in the App Store. Making sure that the Apple ID in created in Singapore Store ensure features such Apps gifting and content restrictions. There are 3 scenarios where your child can have Apple ID without Credit Card details. 

1. If your child already has an Apple ID with credit card details. The credit card details can be easily removed from accessing the Settings > iTunes and App Store > Apple ID > Payment Information. The full guide from Apple can be found HERE.
2. If your child has no Apple ID and will need to create one. When setting up the iPad, skip providing an Apple ID to iPad. Once the iPad is setup, go to App Store and choose to GET and free app. A prompt will show, select Creating a New ID option to get the app. Go through the steps and finally select None for payment details. The full guide from Apple can be found HERE. You can also refer to the section Configuring Your iPad for School Use for a video tutorial.
3. If you have an Apple ID. You can create Family Sharing in iCloud where you can managed purchases of Apple IDs in your family. You can also share purchases and media with your family Apple IDs. Should your child is under 13, you can create an Apple ID for your child. With Find My Friends feature on iOS 8, Family Sharing allows the location sharing where the location of your family members' device will be shown. The full guide from Apple can be found HERE. Video tutorials are also available in YouTube.

Setting Up Restrictions

Restrictions are Parental Controls which parents can set up to filter and restrict usage.

To set up Restrictions, Go to Settings > General > Restrictions. You will then need to enable it and enter a 4 digit passcode. It is best that the passcode is different from the Passcode to unlock the iPad. 

The full guide from Apple can be found HERE.

Video tutorials are also available in YouTube.

Recommended Restrictions Settings:

1) Disable Installing Apps. Disable after all the 'unauthorised' apps are removed.

2) Disable In-App Purchases.

3) Ratings set to Singapore.

4) Disallow Explicit Content for Music, Podcast and iTunes U in iTunes.

5) Movies ratings set to PG 13.

6) Disallow Explicit Adult Content from iBooks / Newstand store.

7) Allow Apps to 12+

8) Disable Explicit Language in Siri

9) Restrict Websites setting Limit Adult Content. Known websites can be included or excluded.

10) Disallow changes to be made for Share My Location and Accounts.

11) Disable Multiplayer Games and Adding Friends in Game Centre.

Setting Up Guided Access

For extreme case of restrictive usage, you may consider setting up Guided Access. Guided Access in iOS 8 keeps the iPad to a single app with the feature to limit the interactive touch screen space, disable the controls on the physical buttons and also set time limit on how long the iPad will still active.

To enable Guided Access, you need to go to Setting > Accessibility > Guided Access. Once enabled, you can have the option to enter a passcode. To activate Guided Access, you will need to press the Home button in continuous succession for 3 times. To deactivate, press the Home button again in continuous succession for 3 times.

The full guide from Apple can be found HERE.

Video tutorials are also available in Youtube.

Third Party Parental Control Apps

For parents who do not feel comfortable with the parental controls features offered by iOS 8, they are third party apps available to install into the iPad to monitor and restrict access. Some of these apps are free for basic features while many are paid apps for a more robust features.

Some of the third party apps are listed below

1) Mobile Guardian (https://www.mobileguardian.com)

2) Qustodio (http://www.qustodio.com)

3) NetNanny (http://www.netnanny.com)

4) My Mobile Watchdog (https://www.mymobilewatchdog.com)

5) ParentKit (https://parentkit.co)

6) Mobicip (http://www.mobicip.com)

The tools and features only provide restrictions on the mobile technology. They do not teach them responsible usage and cultivate self regulation. Parental guidance and conversation is still the utmost important steps to instilling such values into the child.

10 Tips from Clique Click by Media Literacy Council

Report on Sunday Times "Bid to highlight increasing cyber risks for children" (9/2/14) provided 10 Tips from Clique Click by Media Literacy Council.

Useful Resources For Parents

You can find a PDF copy of the parenting handbook – “Clique Click: Parenting in a Digital Age” – here.

You can find the series of online videos entitled “Internet Safety Tips for Parents” here. This videos are produced in collaboration with Google Singapore and they feature fellow parents and cyber wellness experts sharing tips on how children can be guided in an always-on, always-connected media environment.

Safer Internet Day 11 Feb 2014

Safer Internet Day 2014 will take place on 11th February. In line with the global theme of “Let’s create a better internet together”, the Media Literacy Council will launch a campaign to encourage Singaporeans to pledge what we can do to make a better internet. For a start, every one of us has the power to make the internet a better place just by adopting 4 simple values: Responsibility, Empathy, Integrity and Respect.

Useful Resources For Parents

Parents play an important role in shaping how children use the internet, and in contributing to a better, safer internet. Hence, the Council has created resources for parents to mark the Safer Internet Day.

You can find a PDF copy of the parenting handbook – “Clique Click: Parenting in a Digital Age” – here.

You can find the series of online videos entitled “Internet Safety Tips for Parents” here. This videos are produced in collaboration with Google Singapore and they feature fellow parents and cyber wellness experts sharing tips on how children can be guided in an always-on, always-connected media environment.

Year 1 PLD Initiation presentation slides

iPad Programme for 2014 Year 1 students

Please refer below for the category that best describes your situation and the follow-up actions that are required.

Family who own an iPad 2 and above

If your family owns an iPad, we encourage you to allow your child to bring that iPad to school. We require a minimum of iPad 2, released in 2011, to be used for learning in school. In addition, to ensure that all education apps are compatible, we require you to

• update the iOS to the latest version iOS 7.0.4.
• bring the device down on one of the day between 17 to 19 Jan 2014 for administrative registration, account creations, etc. We will advice you on the exact date and time when school reopens in 2014.

Family who would like to purchase from Apple Authorised Reseller

Refer to the brochure (download here) for the bundle pricing. You can either place your order with the vendor during registration day on 23 December 2013 or through the online portal at (http://w3.sapura.com.sg/rvhs) by 27 December 2013 for collection on 18 or 19 January 2014. Payment will only be made upon collection of device.

Family who would like to apply for subsidy

For the application of subsidy, download the application form below or collect the subsidy form from the General Office. The completed form, with the necessary documents, must be submitted to the General Office on the first day of school (2/1/14).

iPad Air subsidy form

The subsidy amount is determined by the school administration and is applicable only for the purchase of the iPad Air 16GB + Wi-Fi (black) model with AppleCare+. The school will notify you, through your child/ward, regarding the subsidy amount and the follow-up actions required.

For any queries on iPad subsidy, you may like to approach our Admin Manager or email rvhs@moe.edu.sg with the heading “Query on iPad subsidy 2014” for clarification.

Note: Due to the time required to process subsidy application, DO NOT order the iPad through the vendor or the online portal. Your child will be getting the device at a later date than the rest of the cohort, however your child's/ward's learning will not be affected by the lack of the device during this period.

Estimating Human Reaction Time (5-10 minutes experiment)

Scenario

In textbooks, human reaction time is estimated to be between 0.2 - 0.4 seconds. 

Question

How do you show that human reaction time is as stated? Contemporary approach is to uses a ruler and the known formula (s = 0.5*gt^2) for free fall

• http://www.science-house.org/index.php/science-of-sports/101-measuring-reaction-time
• http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2006/reactiontime.shtml

Can we measure human reaction time without using known formula? This is important because students might not have encountered the formula for free fall or does not understand its significance. Using the formula is therefore meaningless to the students. 

Apparatus

• 2-dollar note
• iPad with CoachMyVideo app
• 3 or more students

Procedure:

1. Flatten the 2-dollar note.
2. Student A will hold the 2-dollar note vertically as shown with the bottom end of the note in-line with the open fingers of Student B (see photo)
3. Student C will use either iPad camera app or CoachMyVideo App to capture the proceeding.
4. Student A will release the note randomly. Student B will try to close his/her fingers to grab the note.
5. Play back the video to determine the time elapsed between the release of the note and the closing of Student B's fingers (see picture below).

Using CoachMyVideo App

 

Guide to setting restrictions to iPad use and installation of apps (parents' guide)

This guide is to help parents to limit certain functions on the iPad.

Warning: Do not over restrict the use of iPad otherwise learning might be severely affected.