iPad Help with security for a vulnerable teenager

[A_scared_dad]

Hi,

Im looking for help and advice on a way to stop access to settings, apps and roundabout ways to stop my child from bypassing certain social media apps & controls. I dont ask this lightly but its at a stage where my teenager has gotten envolved in a dangerous toxic situation that has lead to a failed suicide.

Without going into graphic detail as this is not the forum for such a topic but its background as to why i am here. In essence, she is fixated on access to social media and messaging which is literally undoing all treatments while being just detrimental and cruel taking all forms devices of her.

So im asking if there is way for us to lock a device down similar to how enterprise devices are limited in adding apps, changing settings etc. Ideally would like access to the outside world only though us, no ‘sideways’ access (like the clever little git has managed to do via spotify earbuds(??). Apologies if this is the wrong place but anything of value would be unbelievably helpful and gratefully received.

 

[canuckRus]

Google,Safarl show many ways, includes YouTube. Search button on your machine quickest and easiest.
Sorry, missed reference to iPad, thought on a MacBook. Search on it for/under Parental or Child Control? Any access to any other implements sadly problematic.

 

[ericwn]

Hi,

Im looking for help and advice on a way to stop access to settings, apps and roundabout ways to stop my child from bypassing certain social media apps & controls. I dont ask this lightly but its at a stage where my teenager has gotten envolved in a dangerous toxic situation that has lead to a failed suicide.

Without going into graphic detail as this is not the forum for such a topic but its background as to why i am here. In essence, she is fixated on access to social media and messaging which is literally undoing all treatments while being just detrimental and cruel taking all forms devices of her.

So im asking if there is way for us to lock a device down similar to how enterprise devices are limited in adding apps, changing settings etc. Ideally would like access to the outside world only though us, no ‘sideways’ access (like the clever little git has managed to do via spotify earbuds(??). Apologies if this is the wrong place but anything of value would be unbelievably helpful and gratefully received.

Have you looked into the parental controls available on iOS these days? Do these offer sufficient lockout?

 

[ericwn]

Google,Safarl show many ways, includes YouTue. Search button on your machine quickest and easiest.

Wonderful contribution.

 

[sparksd]

Wonderful contribution.

Truly. Why ask any question here when you can just us Google ...

 

[jdblas69]

Suggest start with the below support document and see if it checks all the boxes with what you are trying to achieve.


https://support.apple.com/en-us/105121

 

[hovscorpion12]

With iPadOS 18, Apps can be locked with FaceID and Hidden. You can use your face to lock the apps and hide them.

Unfortunately due to Apple being Apple, iPadOS 18 has been pulled due to a brick-crash.

For the time being until iPadOS 18 returns, Screen time can be used to limit access to websites and apps.

 

[canuckRus]

Truly. Why ask any question here when you can just us Google ...

Wondered same from the git go as well.

 

[Reverend Benny]

@A_scared_dad
Check out what you can do with "screen time" built into iOS/iPad OS.
Another way that I would look into is blocking things via the router, most half-decent routers have this ability.
Maybe a combo of them both where you can allow internet access via the router during specific hours and certain services.

 

[RevTEG]

Have you looked into the parental controls available on iOS these days? Do these offer sufficient lockout?

I have found three issues with parental controls, first, Apple allows previous downloaded apps to still be downloaded even with parental controls. Second, if the Apple ID was originally set up as an adult, you can't go back. At least I can't find a way. Third, if I hide the App Store, apps can't be updated without going through the screen time settings, restoring the App Store and updating. Then you have to reverse the process. That's a lot when trying to keep apps updated. Now, let me be clear, I may not know what I'm doing. Just stating my experience with parental controls and an 8 year old that's apparently a "tech genius". LOL

 

[Seamaster]

NextDNS has wide-ranging parental controls, plus you can control access to any and all other sites/services regardless of what apps are installed on the device.