Tablet World.pdf

Kid Mode lets children
play their favourite
Android games, read
stories and paint pictures,
but there’s no way to
accidentally buy anything,
delete your emails or
access another app
Battery life is important, since you don't want to end up with a tablet that
lasts only a couple of hours before needing to be connected to the mains or a
new set of batteries. In the latter case, rechargeable batteries are advisable.
Cameras are included on most tablets, but not all. If you want a tablet to
double as a digital camera and camcorder, look for one with a rear-facing camera.
Front-facing cameras are good only for self-portraits and video chat.
Finally, check the ports and controls. Tablets that lack hardware volume
buttons are frustrating, and look for an HDMI output if you want to be able to
hook the device up to a big-screen TV.
Software
Most children’s tablets are based on Android, but don't provide access to
Google's Play store. Typically, you’ll be restricted to the manufacturer's own store,
which may have a limited selection of apps and games, and they're usually more
expensive than similar apps in Google's store.
The software that comes preloaded is also important, since it determines
how much play time your child will get from the tablet before you have to start
spending more money to keep them entertained.
Another thing to look for is a web browser that restricts which sites they can
visit, and includes other parental controls for limiting their usage.
Parental controls
If you opt for a standard tablet for your child, you should be aware that your
kids will be able to access pretty much all the content you might have blocked
on a desktop PC or laptop. An easy way to restrict internet access and any other
communication is to enable flight mode before you give the device to your child.
Savvy kids will easily work out how to disable this, however.
iOS tablets
Apple has added to iOS some parental controls, but they will apply to anyone
who uses the iPad. To set up an iPad for your kids to use, tap Settings, General,
Restrictions. You’ll have to enter a PIN to enable restrictions.
You can disable certain built-in apps such as Safari, but you can restrict other
apps only by their age rating (or disallow access entirely). Similarly, you can
restrict films by age, TV shows by those rated Caution and music or podcasts
with explicit content. You will also probably want to disable location services for
social-networking apps. There are lots of other privacy settings that prevent apps
from accessing your data, and you can disable multiplayer games and the adding of
new friends in Game Center. It’s sensible to disable in-app purchases, as well
as the ability to install apps.
Safari itself has no parental controls, but you can disable it and install
another browser, such as AVG’s free Family Safety.
New in iOS 6.0 is Guided Access. This in effect disables all hardware
buttons once an app has been opened, preventing kids from accessing
anything else. You’ll find the setting in General, Accessibility.
Android tablets
Google’s Android OS doesn’t have much in the way of parental
controls, although its Google Play app store does offer content
filtering. Launch Google Play, then press the Menu button and choose
Settings, Content filtering. You can allow apps rated for low, medium
or high maturity.
This goes some way to preventing kids from downloading
inappropriate apps, but there are many alternative apps you can
install that do a more thorough job.
Consider the free Kid Mode app. This lets kids play their
favourite Android games, read stories and paint pictures, but
there’s no way to accidentally buy anything, delete your emails
or access another app. We also recommend the parental-control
apps from Kaspersky, Norton and the popular Funamo.
Children’s tablets BUYING ADVICE
“An easy way
to restrict
internet access
and other
communication
is to enable
flight mode”
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