Suggestions for iPad2 setup for my 3 sons - shared iPad

[EastFlorida]

I bought my boys an iPad2 for Christmas. They live with their mother and spend every other weekend with me.

I bought his so I can communicate with my boys but I don't want their mother snooping into my emails, accounts etc.

I waant to facetime, email and text them in private and want to control what apps they add and what web sites they see. They are 14, 11 & 10.

The iPad will travel back and forth every other weekend but will be with them at their mother's the other times.

This is my attempt to stay in touch with my boys as their mother doesn't take my calls to them and won't let them use her equipment to email, facetime, text, etc...

I was going to set them up with Text Free with voice.

How should I set up the Apple Live ID, email, etc? Should each have their own or use one account?

Any suggestions are welcomed!

Thanks from an Apple iPad newbie!

Shaun

 

[jsh1120]

Shaun,

Sorry to hear about your (and your family's) situation. I make it a rule never to judge other people's relationships so I'll simply note that the only way you can provide your sons access to the iPad without involving their mother is to password protect the iPad and put your sons in the position of concealing that information from their mother. However, once you provide the password to your sons they will be able to access the web freely. You can, of course, eliminate all access to the internet, but that restriction is easily overcome if your sons have the iPad password.

You can control their purchases by using a specific iTunes account with a password only you know. However, afaik, there is nothing to prevent your sons from linking the iPad to another iTunes account and (assuming they have access to a credit card (prepaid or standard)) purchasing apps on their own.

In short, from a technical standpoint I doubt that you can accomplish all you're trying to accomplish. And even then, you place your sons in what I suspect is a very difficult position with their mother by asking them not to share the password on the iPad with her. Obviously, I know nothing about your relationship with your ex-wife but in the category of unsolicited advice, I'd recommend that you try to work out a more satisfactory relationship with your wife for the sake of your kids. That may require an attorney but your request suggests that your sons are being used as ammunition in an ongoing battle between the two of you. And that is hardly fair to your kids.

 

[tlbaker]

Shaun,

Sorry to hear about your (and your family's) situation. I make it a rule never to judge other people's relationships so I'll simply note that the only way you can provide your sons access to the iPad without involving their mother is to password protect the iPad and put your sons in the position of concealing that information from their mother. However, once you provide the password to your sons they will be able to access the web freely. You can, of course, eliminate all access to the internet, but that restriction is easily overcome if your sons have the iPad password.

You can control their purchases by using a specific iTunes account with a password only you know. However, afaik, there is nothing to prevent your sons from linking the iPad to another iTunes account and (assuming they have access to a credit card (prepaid or standard)) purchasing apps on their own.

In short, from a technical standpoint I doubt that you can accomplish all you're trying to accomplish. And even then, you place your sons in what I suspect is a very difficult position with their mother by asking them not to share the password on the iPad with her. Obviously, I know nothing about your relationship with your ex-wife but in the category of unsolicited advice, I'd recommend that you try to work out a more satisfactory relationship with your wife for the sake of your kids. That may require an attorney but your request suggests that your sons are being used as ammunition in an ongoing battle between the two of you. And that is hardly fair to your kids.

I agree.

Sent from my Verizon Black 64GB iPad 2 With IOS 5.01Update From NYC using iPF

 

[EastFlorida]

All, thanks for your replies thus far.

Let me make some assumptions - 1. The mother will honor the password and not mess with the iPad. 2. They can buy all the apps they want on their Mom's credit card, but I don't want them running crazy with mine. 3. I only want to block them from adult sites on the internet.

Is Text Free with Voice the free program of choice so I can text and call them?

Should I set up a "guys' email or one for each of them?

Thanks again for your help and understanding of the situation.

Shaun

 

[Kaykaykay]

You might consider giving them Apple gift cards, rather than having them on anyone's credit card. You also can restrict app store purchases and Safari access entirely, but there's no way to limit access to kid-only content via browser, AFAIK.

As for texting and calls, there are many choices. Talkatone is one I'm familiar with and can recommend. For video calling, I've found much better resolution and signal on FaceTime vs. Skype.

 

[tlbaker]

The one issue you haven't addressed, at the risk of being humorous, is how will you prevent the inevitable fights, of whose turn it is on the iPad, between 10 to 14-year-olds.. Lol!!

I thought of that one myself. Should have gotten 3 iPads lmao!!!

Sent from my Verizon Black 64GB iPad 2 With IOS 5.01Update From NYC using iPF

 

[twerppoet]

If you turn off Safari in Settings > General > Restrictions then purchase one of the Kid safe browsers you can at least make it difficult to visit adult sites. You can also turn off the ability to Install or Delete apps in the same place. This will keep them from bypassing your controls by buying another app. It also means that you will have to approve any app purchases personally, since only you will have the unlock code for the Restrictions.

This will prevent any purchases from any iTunes account. It might cause features in some apps that rely on being able to open Safari to fail. Many apps have their own built in browsers, though it is 'usually' difficult to go to other pages from them.

You can do the same thing for iTunes separately if you want to restrict music or other media purchases; or simply adjust the Allowed content for the various types of media.

It is fairly difficult to get around the Restrictions passcode. It usually requires that the iPad be restored, which will be more than a bit obvious the next time you see it.

As for FaceTime, you can get an iCloud account for the boys and set it up (Settings > iCloud) on the iPad. Once you do that you can turn off the ability to make changes in accounts, so that they can not turn on/off features as you like.

The downside of doing things this way is that you are going to clearly communicate that you don't trust someone(s) to add content or make changes on the iPad without your explicit approval. The upside is you'll have the choice of giving that approval.

As other's have said, I'm not here to judge a situation I'm not involved in; so do what you think is good.

Disclaimer: This is not fool proof, or more to the point it's not smart proof. It's just some of the tools you have available.

 

[Kaykaykay]

Interesting. I've found exactly the opposite to be the case. Though FaceTime 'can' be astounding and stable too. Skype works way more consistently better for me. And, of course, Skype works on 3G and FaceTime doesn't.

My experiences have been consistent with PC magazine testing, but YMMV.

Skype Vs Facetime From Pcmag Com

When it comes down to it, the only reception that matters is each user's, though.

 

[Kaykaykay]

Well you never know if these magazines are paid off for their testing. It's happened before - but I'm not really the conspiracy type so I'll accept PC Mag's conclusion especially in light of face time being a Macintosh product. ;-)

Hey KayKay - we're finally in 100% agreement! YMMV.. (But again - Skype works on 3G and FaceTime doesn't.)

Lol. I probably use Skype on 3G more often than you do. (As I recall from another thread, you're against paying for 3G on iPad.) I have 3G on iPhone and iPad, so I use Skype on them when I'm away from secured wifi and need to videocall people who aren't on iOS, which is another benefit of Skype. It's great to have options, which was the focus of my post -- to try to offer OP guidance -- rather than to argue about which is better.

 

[Kaykaykay]

Agreed again! .. Have you ever tried Tango? It's also free and I've had great results with it on 3G as well.

I've heard of it, but not used it. The problem with calling and SMS apps is getting all your contacts to install them, or be on the right hardware. So unless the results are really crummy on one that everyone's already using, it'll be an effort to get everyone to switch. Then you end up with some contacts on a variety of apps.

 

[MelvinTopaz]

One point that hasn't been mentioned is the skills that children have developed over the years that will allow them to do what they want despite out best efforts. I'm the father of four and I've found they can come up with work arounds as quickly as i can come up with traps. If they want porn they will get it. I suggest talking with them and explaining what inappropriate and asking them to leave it alone. They may surprise you by adhering to your requests.