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Aleksandr Noudelman | How To Setup Parental Controls on Apple
By Aleksandr Noudelman
Using Parental Controls you can easily curb your children’s access to inappropriate content. It comes handy even when you are using Mac Apple computer. You can easily take a breather after setting up the controls that ensure that your kids are safe. However, you should know your way to work on Mac OS X to enable it.
The security controls are already present in the Windows 7 system. The Windows 8.1 already has the Family Safety package. It is easy to use on Windows, but with Apple computer things work differently. You need to know how to exploit the feature and utilize it to your benefit.
How to get started?
The primary means of setting up the family safety controls on OS X requires accessing system preferences and creating a new user account.
• Click the lock icon
• Click the + sign to add a user and fill up the details required along with the password
• Add password hint if required and click the option of Create Account
• Go to User & Groups preferences and create the new account
• Choose the option of New Account choices-> Managed with Parental Controls
• When you are done filling up the details choose the Create User option
Now you need to ensure that you have turned on the “Enabled parental controls.” Another option “Allow user to administer this computer” should not be selected to secure your privacy.
• Launch Parental Controls to check out the options offered for Mac OS X
• You will find five categories that include: Time limits, Apps, People, Web, and Other controls
• You can choose to put restrictions related to access from another user
• You can allow or restrict access to Simple Finder
When you are limiting applications, it is a hassle free work. You just need to select and choose from the four categories. The categories that you need to choose include: utilities, other apps, app store, and widgets. Now if you are choosing or allowing app store, then you can decide the age rating for the available apps. It will help you define options as to what the specific age group of users can go through.
Choosing the ‘Prevent the Dock from being modified’ will allow you to dock with apps and create shortcuts. When you make settings for this option, then you can enable it to block user made changes from getting applied. Only you will be able to modify or make changes. The option comes handy for those who have given access to their kids, because accidental deletion of shortcuts or menu will not be possible.
When you choose the option of Web tab, then you can utilize the tab in defining what can be accessed exactly. You can limit the websites with inappropriate content and choose to give access to specific websites. It helps in curbing content that is not suitable for children and keep strict filtering on for better results.
You can choose to blacklist or create a whitelist addresses accordingly. You will be able to set a limit to the content that can be viewed. For blocking access to certain websites, you can choose the plus (+) button or decide to use the minus (–) button to remove from the list.
Using the ‘People tab’ is all about using it in conjunction with the Game Center and maintaining contacts. You can give access to the user for joining in multiplayer games or for adding Game Center friends. You can set restrictions for receiving e-mails and messages from another user. The option of ‘Limit Mail to allowed contacts’ is used for setting communication restrictions.
The option of Time Limits gives you the ability to make settings for restricting access for long periods of time. You can choose the limit of the user accessing the system. The amount of time that you can choose includes the options of 30 minutes to 8 hours. It comes handy for setting access time during your kid’s exams or when the bedtime starts. Turning on the feature of Bedtime, you can choose a longer duration like weekdays or weekends.
The Other tab contains many options; one such option is the built-in camera. You can disable the option for tight security purpose. Another option can help you from barring profane words appearing in the dictionary. You can choose to even disable password changes.
Checking Logs
In the end, it is all about keeping an eye on the activity of your kids while they go online. The settings and filters that you enabled can help you monitor the activity by generating logs. Go to the Logs button, and you can access the reports. You will know the websites visited, and even the websites that you blocked would appear in the log if anyone attempted to visit it. The log gives you filters for viewing that include present day, week, month, three months, six months and beginning of time. You can keep an eye on the applications accessed and even messages activities.
It is essential to filter and define content to avoid any inappropriate content from your kid. Additionally, it is all about keeping your family safe while online without prying into them.
About Aleksandr Noudelman
Aleksandr Noudelman is a Digital Marketing Manager with over 7 years of experience in social media marketing, copywriting, digital marketing, search engine marketing and education. Feel free to contact Aleksandr Noudelman if you have any questions or would like to see a particular topic covered.
(c) Aleksandr Noudelman
