My 7-yr old found a hole in Parental Controls

[kat.hayes]

I have parental controls set up so you need to enter a passcode before accessing any app. However, my 7-yr old discovered that if you pause a video while watching in an app and never leave the app, when you turn off the tv and come back to the Appletv it does not require you to log back in with the passcode.

Is there something I am missing or is it just something Apple overlooked?

 

[Nermal]

Unless I'm misunderstanding, this doesn't seem to be an issue. If you need a passcode to switch between apps, yet you're not switching between apps, then why would you expect a passcode prompt?

 

[kat.hayes]

I would have imagined something similar to Mac OS where after going to sleep or after a period of time a passcode would be required. Sometimes with the kids things get paused and I don’t check to make sure that it was returned to the Home Screen, I guess I just need to make sure that happens.

 

[DaveSanDiego]

if you gave permission before it was paused, then that would be the only app they could get to....its not like it allows them access to other apps. Guess I'm missing the "hole"

 

[kat.hayes]

if you gave permission before it was paused, then that would be the only app they could get to....its not like it allows them access to other apps. Guess I'm missing the "hole"

In real world situations, things are hectic with kids, yes permission is given to an app, but I do not want the permission to be open ended, I see the use in being able to grant access to just a single app, but if that was the case why not have options to only give access to a single app even after going to the Home Screen? I guess I do not get the logic in being able to give access to an app and the tv can be turned off and a kid still has access to the app, though if going back to the Home Screen the kid doesn’t have access to the app. Not even sure if what I am explaining makes sense, I guess I just would like more options…hopefully future updates.

 

[Honza1]

I also do not see the problem, this is expected behavior.
AppleTV app is paused, what happens with the display (monitor, TV,...) does not matter, it is display only and AppleTV does not care if it is on or off. From AppleTV point of view the app which is running never stopped running and new approval is not needed. This is unlikely to change as there really is nothing to change.
I can see issue if the app is paused for long time and you did not want to approve the use of the app for such extended time... e.g., in other time of day, next day. In that case you are asking for effectively "time limited" approval and Apple could add timer to passcode and require passcode every X min , where you can select X. It could be useful with kids. May be suggest to Apple on their feedback page?

 

[kat.hayes]

Exactly what would work in my situation.

 

[Boyd01]

I would have imagined something similar to Mac OS where after going to sleep or after a period of time a passcode would be required.

FWIW, that's just an option in MacOS, not a requirement.

 

[satcomer]

I say forget using automatic DNS settings and change the DNS settings in her account to a new open DNS Internet Security in the child's account! it's free if you want top try it instead!