Some answers to questions from parents about Clash of Clans, Minecraft, Youtube, Netflix and other apps that kids use

During term 2 of 2017, iTandCoffee is running free school information sessions for parents.  These sessions are on the topic "Keeping Kids Safe on the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch".   

We look at the specifics of how to use the in-build parental controls on these devices to restrict what kids can do and see. 

Each time we run this session, there are questions that arise about specific apps that kids are using.

Below are some answers to some of these questions.  (Thanks to the parents who have turned up for these sessions!)

---

Answers to some frequently asked questions ...

Q. Does Clash of Clans on iOS use Game Centre?  Do the the Restrictions applied in relation to ‘multi-player games’ and ‘adding friends’ applies to Clash of Clans? 
A. Unfortunately, the Game Centre Restrictions do not prevent the addition of Clash of Clans friends and stuff to do with Clans.  I went into this game and found I could make lots of friends even if the Restrictions were set up to prevent ‘multi-player games’ and blocked ‘adding friends’.

Q. Where did Game Centre go in iOS 10
A. Apple got rid of the Game Centre App in iOS 10.  Instead, game centre invitations are managed by Messages, with the ability to add friends and interact with friends kept within the game, and not visible across all games (as it was previously with the Game Centre app.)  Very confusing, I know.  Here are are couple of articles on this.

• Inside iOS 10: With Game Center app gone, invites are managed by Messages
• Learn how to use Swift to write apps: Apple makes Swift training free via iBooks - Macworld Australia

Q. How you can protect your kids on Minecraft and other online games
A. The simple answer is that I don’t have a simple answer, other than to make sure you understand each game and how your child is suing it.  Here’s an article about this topic, offering some suggestions.

• How you can protect your kids on Minecraft and other online games 

Q:  Can you restrict what videos a child can see on YouTube
A:  Yes and no.  See this article for more details

• Setting Parental Controls on YouTube - both in the App and in Safari

Q:  Is there a way to stop my child from viewing the list of programs that are available in our 'adult' profile?  I have a child profile set up, but my daughter can still 'browse' another profile.
A:  Below are a couple of articles about setting parental controls on Netflix.  My understanding is that you can set a PIN that is required to be entered before viewing certain 'ratings' of programs, but that you can't stop a Netflix user 'looking at' what is available in another profile.  (If anyone understands this differently, please feel free to leave a comment below.)

• How do profiles work on my Netflix account?
• How do I set parental controls on my Netflix account?                                                                                                          

Q:  Is Musical.ly safe?
A:  There has been quite a lot of press about the danger to kids of apps like Musical.ly. Here is an article published last year by iTandCoffee about this app.

• Is your child using this app? Frighteningly, it is a new favourite with tweens​

If you would like to attend this very informative session ...

iTandCoffee's information session 'Keeping kids safe on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch' is regularly offered as a free session in local schools.  

While many schools offer parent information sessions on the broader topic of cyber safety, our aim is to arm parents with the specific details of how to implement parental controls on Apple mobile devices - something that is rarely covered in these more generic session.

If you would like to see this session run at your own school (whether you are a parent or school staff member), please register your interest here ».  

To find out when this session will next run at iTandCoffee, check our class schedule »

Enquiries about this session are also welcome at [email protected] or on on 1300 885 420.

---

Related Handy Hints and Articles

Handy Hints

• Restricting what websites kids can see on i-Devices
• ​Pictionary with iPad and Apple TV
• How do I stop the kids games from appearing on my iPad and iPhone?

Blog Articles

• Worried about your young teen's online safety?  Here's a book they (and you) MUST read.             
• Local council promotes Instagram competition for 8-12 year olds             
• Are you the 'default parent' when it comes to the worrying about the kids and their online safety?               
• 10 smartphone rules for a 12-year-old - with one key rule missing!             
• Setting Parental Controls on YouTube - both in the App and in Safari             
• Here's a checklist for setting up your child's school iPad (and their iPhone!)             
• Why parental controls did not stop inappropriate content on my child's iPad.  Beware!  
• Parents - check your kids' devices for these dangerous apps
• Read this article - then make sure you block adult content on your child's (and your own) iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and computer    
• Why parental controls did not stop inappropriate content on my child's iPad.  Beware!​           ​​