Advice for IPOD touch concerns

[mom2rose&john]

At first I was very against my 8 year old daughter having an IPod touch. But, after reading other threads on the IPod Touch I am realizing that my 8 year old daughter might benefit from it. She has been saving and has accumulated enough for an 8 gig touch. But I think that she would need a 32 gig because she really wants to video record. What do you think she would need an 8 or 32 gig? The cost difference is approx. $100. I am also very proud that she has saved her allowance over the last year that we may give her the remaining money as a Christmas gift for her to buy one.

What concerns me is being wired constantly through wifi. We do have a wireless router in our house so it will be possible for her to connect at home. Being from Buffalo NY we have had a lot of news coverage on cyber-bullying. A tragic suicide that stemmed from cyber-bullying also concerns me on the reality of how dangerous the internet can be without monitoring. I would really like some ideas on what you do. I was thinking that she would have to dock it in my bedroom after a certain time. But need a few more ideas.

So my question is what type of limits do you have for your children? Can you turn of the ability for wifi? Is there the ability to block certain sites on the IPod only? Is there the ability to view the history of what your child (ran) has done on the device?

Thanks in advance.
Ann Marie

 

[dzorn]

At first I was very against my 8 year old daughter having an IPod touch. But, after reading other threads on the IPod Touch I am realizing that my 8 year old daughter might benefit from it. She has been saving and has accumulated enough for an 8 gig touch. But I think that she would need a 32 gig because she really wants to video record. What do you think she would need an 8 or 32 gig? The cost difference is approx. $100. I am also very proud that she has saved her allowance over the last year that we may give her the remaining money as a Christmas gift for her to buy one.

What concerns me is being wired constantly through wifi. We do have a wireless router in our house so it will be possible for her to connect at home. Being from Buffalo NY we have had a lot of news coverage on cyber-bullying. A tragic suicide that stemmed from cyber-bullying also concerns me on the reality of how dangerous the internet can be without monitoring. I would really like some ideas on what you do. I was thinking that she would have to dock it in my bedroom after a certain time. But need a few more ideas.

So my question is what type of limits do you have for your children? Can you turn of the ability for wifi? Is there the ability to block certain sites on the IPod only? Is there the ability to view the history of what your child (ran) has done on the device?

Thanks in advance.
Ann Marie

If you are getting one definitely go with the 32 GB. My girls do not have them they are allowed to use DH very limited time. You can turn wifi off but not sure on the parental controlls. On our wifi once DH turns it off you need to re-enter the password on it to access it again. But I think this is how DH set up our home wifi not how the touch handles it.

Denise in MI

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Lots of info on Apple's website and other places.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4213

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1904

http://www.squidoo.com/ipod_touch_parental_controls

 

[mrseace711]

At first I was very against my 8 year old daughter having an IPod touch. But, after reading other threads on the IPod Touch I am realizing that my 8 year old daughter might benefit from it. She has been saving and has accumulated enough for an 8 gig touch. But I think that she would need a 32 gig because she really wants to video record. What do you think she would need an 8 or 32 gig? The cost difference is approx. $100. I am also very proud that she has saved her allowance over the last year that we may give her the remaining money as a Christmas gift for her to buy one.

What concerns me is being wired constantly through wifi. We do have a wireless router in our house so it will be possible for her to connect at home. Being from Buffalo NY we have had a lot of news coverage on cyber-bullying. A tragic suicide that stemmed from cyber-bullying also concerns me on the reality of how dangerous the internet can be without monitoring. I would really like some ideas on what you do. I was thinking that she would have to dock it in my bedroom after a certain time. But need a few more ideas.

So my question is what type of limits do you have for your children? Can you turn of the ability for wifi? Is there the ability to block certain sites on the IPod only? Is there the ability to view the history of what your child (ran) has done on the device?

Thanks in advance.
Ann Marie

I was concerned as well about kids having unlimited unfiltered internet access, then I found out here on the DisBoards you can actually take the Safari browser off and replace it with a kid-safe browser! PLUS =)

 

[poohfriend77]

Lots of info on Apple's website and other places.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4213

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1904

http://www.squidoo.com/ipod_touch_parental_controls

Thanks for the helpful links! I think we're getting them for my DDs for Christmas, and the parental control info makes me feel better about the decision!

 

[mom2rose&john]

Lots of info on Apple's website and other places.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4213

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1904

http://www.squidoo.com/ipod_touch_parental_controls

This is perfect. Thanks so much.

Keep the suggestions rolling I would love to hear where you have your kids dock the ipod and what limits you have set. Thanks.

 

[mrseace711]

I will have 2 DDs 9 & 7(turning 8) with iPod Touches they will require MOM to sign on to iTunes before downloading anything I think the only accessories we are getting is the Otterbox Defender case, headphones because im not a fan of earbuds, 1 tv connector cord so they can watch a movie off their ipod on a tv, and thats it. No Dock

 

[bedogged]

Just a word to the wise...I bought my 17 year old granddaughter one for Xmas a year ago last Xmas and it has already been replaced once and looks like that might happen again soon. She takes very good care of it, but as in anything electronic, they break down. I would suggest that you buy one somewhere like Costco so you get a complete year of service and pay for it with a platinum credit card to get the additional year of service (2 years total). Costco Concierge service was wonderful dealing with Apple!

 

[RitaE]

One of the best ways to control internet access hours at home is to utilize the router parental controls. Most of the newer models have these - if yours doesn't then it might be time to upgrade.

 

[CruiserMom]

I will have 2 DDs 9 & 7(turning 8) with iPod Touches they will require MOM to sign on to iTunes before downloading anything I think the only accessories we are getting is the Otterbox Defender case, headphones because im not a fan of earbuds, 1 tv connector cord so they can watch a movie off their ipod on a tv, and thats it. No Dock

I didn't know they made a tv connector cord for the iPod! Where did you get one?

 

[CruiserMom]

I was concerned as well about kids having unlimited unfiltered internet access, then I found out here on the DisBoards you can actually take the Safari browser off and replace it with a kid-safe browser! PLUS =)

Can you tell me the name of the kid-safe browser? I would like to do this for my dd's iPod.

 

[wmharley]

I will have 2 DDs 9 & 7(turning 8) with iPod Touches they will require MOM to sign on to iTunes before downloading anything I think the only accessories we are getting is the Otterbox Defender case, headphones because im not a fan of earbuds, 1 tv connector cord so they can watch a movie off their ipod on a tv, and thats it. No Dock

+1 for Otterbox. I have a Commuter for my Android, but if you are giving the iPod to your 8yo, I'd get either a Commuter (half silicone/hard shell) or the Defender (ultimate protection but bulkier). I have anotehr type case for my former iPod and the case it broken already.

I'd suggest the OP look into Amazon, as I got my commuter case for $23, regular price was $40 at Otterbox.

And get the larger one. I put burned movies on my iPod, and each DVD eats up 1-1.5GB (so the kids can watch their favorite movies in line or the store.) Add the pictures, and video recording, and the fact that Apple doesn't like to use sd or micro-sd cards in the iPod, you can eat uyp that 8GB pretty quickly.

 

[fakereadhed]

Just a word to the wise...I bought my 17 year old granddaughter one for Xmas a year ago last Xmas and it has already been replaced once and looks like that might happen again soon. She takes very good care of it, but as in anything electronic, they break down. I would suggest that you buy one somewhere like Costco so you get a complete year of service and pay for it with a platinum credit card to get the additional year of service (2 years total). Costco Concierge service was wonderful dealing with Apple!

As long as it's new, you have a one year warranty from
Apple and they are easy to deal with no matter where you buy it. FWIW the only problems I ever had were with a new one. The refurbs have all the bugs worked out!

I would go with the 32g. I have that and DH has 8g. His is frustratingly slow with video and surfing compared to mine.

 

[zeferjen]

I also really like Square Trade warranties. It covers breakage as well as malfunctions.