Handy hints, tips and tricks for iPad, iPhone, Mac and more

28/1/2019 0 Comments

Do schools expect parents to be more tech-savvy than they really are?

We are very excited that iTandCoffee made The Age newspaper today (28/1/19) with an 'opinion piece' that I wrote recently on a topic that I am passionate about!

Here's a link to the full article from the online version of The Age.

If you are a parent who needs help with setting up your child's school tech, give us a call on 1300 885 420.

Or check out our great set of video tutorials that provide the easy-to-follow 'how to' on setting up parental controls (Screen Time and more) on your child's iPad or iPhone.

Readers of this blog receive 50% on the advertised cost (expires 31/1/19). Just enter the code 50JAN19 at the checkout. Select the button below to find and more abut these tutorials and to take advantage of this offer.

How your kids can by-pass the 'Ask to Buy' requirement of iCloud Family Sharing

While assisting a client to set up Parental Controls on her 12yo child's new iPhone this week, discussion turned to the topic of the 'Ask to Buy' setting in the Family Sharing setup of iCloud.

This setting allows a parent to remotely authorise (or not) a request from a child who is a member of their iCloud Family, to purchase/download content (even free apps).

In this particular client's case, her child was very keen to get onto the social media platforms that her friends were already on.

This mum was considering allowing her child on Instagram (as a Private account of course), so we installed it and set up the app so that it is a Private account.

She was happy that she had control over what other social media Apps her child could download, through the Ask to Buy setting.

But there is a catch to this setting that meant her child could have downloaded Apps or other content without having to ask for permission.

All parents need to be aware of this 'back door'.

0 Comments

31/12/2018 0 Comments

Here's what you need to do when setting up an iPad or iPhone for a child

It's that time of year again, where so many parents are having to put on their 'IT' hat and set up devices for the upcoming school year.

If the device that you are setting up for your child is an iPad or iPhone, there is a list of things that you need to consider when setting up these devices.

We have put pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard) and written up this list for you. Select the button below to view this checklist.

0 Comments

7/12/2018 0 Comments

A warning to parents who will be sending their child to school in 2019 with a new laptop

Over the past month or so, I have had multiple discussions with clients seeking advice about devices that they must supply for their child for the 2019 school year.

The BYO policy applicable for many schools allows parents to choose to purchase either a Windows or Apple laptop for their child.

A warning if you are one of these parents. Before you hand over the new laptop to your child, consider that this laptop could open up a world of inappropriate content to your child if not set up correctly.

0 Comments

8/9/2018 0 Comments

Now is the time to set up iCloud's 'Family Sharing' for your family - and take back control of the kids' technology

Many of you will already be aware that Apple's new set of iPhones will be announced this coming week, on Sept 12th. There are already lots of rumours about what these new iPhones will look like - here is just one article about this from The Age this week: Apple's iPhone Xs: What we know about the three new iPhone models expected next week.

Also arriving in the next week or two will be iOS 12, the upgraded operating system for our Apple Mobile devices.

As has been previously mentioned in this blog, this new version of iOS is going to be a must-have for families with children on i-Devices, as it includes an amazing set of new Parental Controls - known as Screen Time - that will allow parents to take back some control of the devices in their children's lives!

0 Comments

11/8/2018 0 Comments

Amazing new Parental Controls are coming to Apple mobile devices - and here's how to learn about them

What a great group of staff and parents at the Keeping kids safe on iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch workshop, held at Hartwell Primary School last week. Thank to everyone who came along.

We talked about the great new Parental Controls that will be released for Apple mobile devices in September (and lots of other essential information for parents).

We so regularly hear from parents who were left terrified by what they heard at a previous Cybersafety session, but came away from that session not knowing how implement the necessary controls on their child's device/s.

The feedback we get at the end of our workshop is always so positive - that the practical information provided fills the gap left by these other CyberSafety information sessions.

0 Comments

20/5/2018 0 Comments

Setting Parental Controls on the iPad and iPhone - a must-do for every parent and grandparent

The iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch have been around for many years now. As the years have gone by, the age of those who use these devices has become lower and lower.

In allowing younger (and not-so-young) children on these devices, many adults fail to consider just what they are putting into the hands of their kids. Many others know there are dangers, but are not sure how to make the device/s safer. It's just too hard.

These small devices are actually powerful computers that open up the whole, dangerous online world to our children. Without adequate protection and controls, children can so easily be exposed to terrible sites, images and people - putting both their mental and physical safety at risk.

So, what can you do to protect your child?

0 Comments

14/11/2017 0 Comments

Three great tips for parents from a psychologist and cyber expert

So often during the 'Keeping kids safe on iPad and iPhone' sessions that iTandCoffee runs for school parent groups, we get asked for advice about parenting in this sometimes daunting technology world - questions like

how to deal with peer pressure that kids face in relation to apps,
when is it appropriate to remove or reduce parental controls
how to manage the time kids spend on technology

So, we sought some advice from a clinical psychologist and cyber expert named Tena Davies (tenadavies.com), who regularly presents to school parents about parenting and technology.

We have recorded three short videos in which Tena addresses each of these questions.

Tip 1: Dealing with peer pressure relating to apps

Tip 2: Regulation vs. self-regulation - at what age

Tip 3: Negotiating with a child about technology use

Google's parental controls now available in Australia

Several weeks ago, I shared an article about Google's new accounts for under-13's. These accounts allow parents to monitor and control their child's use of their Android device using something called Family Link. Unfortunately, at that point, these accounts were not yet available in Australia.

The good news this week is that Family Link is now available in Australia. So, for those of you who are interested in exploring how you can keep an eye on the kids' activity and usage of their mobile devices, here is an article on the topic from the Sydney Morning Herald.

Family Link: how Google's new accounts for under-13s work

Good news for parents whose children use Android devices

When we run our 'Keeping kids safe on the iPad and iPhone' information sessions in local schools - where we look at how to set up parental controls on iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches - we are often asked whether similar parental controls can be set up on Android devices.

For those parents whose children have Android devices, here is an interesting article that appeared online in the past week or so - about a Google app that allows parents to control what kids can do and see on their Android device/s, and to even limit the time they spend on these screens.

Google opens up 'Family Link' parental controls for Android

The article does mention that the app is available in the US - but I am assuming it is also available in Australia.

If you are an Android user interested in this app, let me know in the comments below if you are able to install and use it!

2 Comments

<<Previous

iTandCoffee is at 34 High Street Glen Iris 3146, Victoria Australia

Call 1300 885 420 or (03) 9886 0814

SENIORS CARD WELCOME HERE:
Seniors Card holders qualify for a 10% discount on all classes booked and paid for online. To activate the discount at the time of booking, select Redeem Coupon or Gift Certificate and enter 10OFFSEN before selecting Pay Now.

YOUR CART

Tip, Tricks and Articles for iPad, iPhone, Mac
iCloud, Windows, Android, Office 365, Dropbox, Apps, and more

Do schools expect parents to be more tech-savvy than they really are?

How your kids can by-pass the 'Ask to Buy' requirement of iCloud Family Sharing

Here's what you need to do when setting up an iPad or iPhone for a child

A warning to parents who will be sending their child to school in 2019 with a new laptop

Now is the time to set up iCloud's 'Family Sharing' for your family - and take back control of the kids' technology

Amazing new Parental Controls are coming to Apple mobile devices - and here's how to learn about them

Setting Parental Controls on the iPad and iPhone - a must-do for every parent and grandparent

Three great tips for parents from a psychologist and cyber expert

Tip 1: Dealing with peer pressure relating to apps

Tip 2: Regulation vs. self-regulation - at what age

Tip 3: Negotiating with a child about technology use

Related Handy Hints and Articles

Google's parental controls now available in Australia

Related handy hints and articles

Good news for parents whose children use Android devices

Receive great articles like this
fortnightly to your Inbox

Join the iTandCoffee Club

for free content, tutorials, videos, classes, offers, discounts and more

What's on at iTandCoffee ?

Archives

Categories

Call 1300 885 420 or (03) 9886 0814

YOUR CART

Tip, Tricks and Articles for iPad, iPhone, Mac iCloud, Windows, Android, Office 365, Dropbox, Apps, and more

Tip 1: Dealing with peer pressure relating to apps

Tip 2: Regulation vs. self-regulation - at what age

Tip 3: Negotiating with a child about technology use

Related Handy Hints and Articles

Related handy hints and articles

Receive great articles like this fortnightly to your Inbox

Join the iTandCoffee Club ​for free content, tutorials, videos, classes, offers, discounts and more

What's on at iTandCoffee ?

Archives

Categories

​​Call 1300 885 420 or (03) 9886 0814

Tip, Tricks and Articles for iPad, iPhone, Mac
iCloud, Windows, Android, Office 365, Dropbox, Apps, and more

Receive great articles like this
fortnightly to your Inbox

Join the iTandCoffee Club

for free content, tutorials, videos, classes, offers, discounts and more

Call 1300 885 420 or (03) 9886 0814