Mikey Campbell
Responding to recent criticism over the potential negative impact smartphone use might have on children, Apple on Monday said it has long provided device owners, specifically parents, with a number of controls and built-in protections to safeguard young users.
Apple in a statement issued late Monday said it has been integrating content and system management controls into iOS in 2008, reports The Wall Street Journal. The company is likely referring to the second generation of iPhone OS, which delivered an App Store and other advanced functions to iPhone and iPod touch users.
Aside from backend safeguards like stringent iTunes content policies and strong security protocols, Apple pointed to customizable parental options available in the Settings app that govern content, app usage, app downloads, system access and more.
"We think deeply about how our products are used and the impact they have on users and the people around them," Apple said. "We take this responsibility very seriously and we are committed to meeting and exceeding our customers expectations, especially when it comes to protecting kids."
The company said it is "constantly looking" for ways to improve its devices and noted future iOS revisions will make its parental restriction toolset "even more robust," according to the report.
Though it did not directly address it, Apple's statement is thought to be in response to an open letter penned by two prominent investors, Jana Partners and the California State Teachers' Retirement System. Published on Sunday, the letter suggests there is a "growing body of evidence" that smartphones "may be having unintentional negative consequences" on youth with more intense usage habits.
The shareholders propose Apple develop more effective controls that would allow parents to set age restrictions, limit screen time, prohibit access to certain social media services and monitor overall device use. The company was also asked to provide assistance in studying the impact smartphones have on mental health. Another suggestion involves tasking an executive with monitoring the issue and producing annual progress reports.
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80 Comments
As a "tech-savvy" parent who tried to "do my job" of monitoring and configuring an iPad for the use of my child, I was very quickly scratching my head looking for the following. * Day/Time access schedules. * App blocking. * Internet filtering. --- Schedules were nonexistent, Total App blocking is restricted to "some" 1st party apps only - I could block face time but not messages or email. Other apps could only be restricted by content ratings that I don't control. Internet filtering was purely based aforementioned ratings... no provision for black or white lists. The only way to block you tube was to not install the app but even then they could access it via safari... unless I block safari but then they would have no internet browsing at all. Bare minimum doesn't even begin to describe what is offered. At least they restricted store and in app purchase options... eventually. And just to be clear, I'm purposely omitting any third-party solutions. I believe this should and in many cases needs to be provided by Apple due the level of system access required.
Now Trolls and Fud generators will scream and yell... "why didnt you print that on the box "
In my experiance when a friend or an acquaintance rants and naggs about something... it is usually their ignorance of the issue on hand or their refusal to take time to study and learn something! And not a problem with the product or the issue at hand.
Apple are missing the point, firstly they don’t support device sharing on iPad so it’s lock all or none, and these only limit what not how long...
microsoft have much much better stuff where you can specify when and how long as well and good email chatter for you to track and overuse and covers pc and Xbox...
actually apple have sone better stuff but they only give it to schoools !!!