How to Stop Your Child from Downloading Unwarranted Apps?
May it be toddlers, tweens, or teenagers, everyone gets to use a phone or tablet. Toddlers use them to watch their favorite cartoons on streaming platforms. Tweens get to play games. And teenagers… well almost all of them spend a big part of their day, and night, glued to their screens.
While all this is happening, several activities can take place. Mainly your little ones can “mistakenly” download an inappropriate app or two. On the other hand, your almost grown-up kids can start using some app that’s in the way of their studies and social life. And now you’re left wondering, “What can I do to stop them?”
No worries. We have got you covered.
In this article, we will discuss different options you have to stop your child from downloading inappropriate apps onto your or their smartphones. Starting with what you can do if you have Apple devices and then moving on to explain what to do if your family uses Android phones.
Ways to Stop Your Kids from Downloading Apps on iOS Devices
Following are a few options available on iPhones and iPads to stop your child from downloading unwanted apps:
1. Switch on the Parental Controls
If you and your child have separate iOS devices, then you can turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions. Here’s how:
· Just go to Settings and select the “Screen Time” option
· Tap on Continue and then choose from: “This is My ‘Device” or “This is My Child’s ‘Device” options accordingly. Note: If you choose the first option, then your device will always ask for your Screen Time passcode, and/or Apple ID and password, before changing any settings. And if you went with the latter option then you will enter a Parent passcode. This will be required every time your child’s phone settings are changed.
· Finally, tap on “Content & Privacy Restrictions” to turn on the Privacy & Content filtering.
2. Restrict App Store Purchases
Another way you can stop your child from making any app purchases is that you disable in-app purchases for iTunes and App store. How can you do that?
· Go to Setting and tap on “Screen Time.”
· Tap on “Content & Privacy Restrictions” and then “iTunes & App Store Purchases.”
· Now choose any of the settings you want to stop from happening and change it to “Don’t Allow.”
Using this you can prevent your child from installing and deleting apps and in-app purchases.
3. Parental Monitoring App
Many concerned parents are already using phone monitoring apps, like XNSPY, to keep an eye on their children’s phone activities. Because XNSPY enables you to monitor your kids’ phones from anywhere (as long as it is connected to the internet of course).
With its powerful set of spying features, you can read their texts, iMessages, and/or IM chats. You can even remotely track the monitored phone’s location to know where your child is or was at any time. And most importantly, you can use it to remotely check the list of installed apps and block as many of them as you see fit.
Isn’t that neat? So, you may subscribe to XNSPY services and make your parenting job easier. While preventing your kids from downloading unwarranted apps and doing other harmful activities on their phones.
How to Stop Your Child from Downloading Apps on Android Phones?
The bigger picture is pretty similar no matter you have an iOS or Android phone. You need to restrict app downloads and their installation. So, here are the ways you can achieve that on Android smartphones:
1. Enable Parental Controls for Google Play Store
As we discussed before, turning on parental controls can help you stop most unwanted downloads. So just:
· Open Google Play Store on your child’s device and tap on the Menu (3 lines on the top left corner)
· Then tap on “Settings” and on “Parental Controls.”
· To turn it on, tap on the toggle switch (it will light up green).
· Finally, tap on each option you want to put restrictions on.
This way you can set up parental controls for app, games, movies, TV, books, and music.
2. Utilize Family Link Available on Google Play
Google has developed a fine solution to manage permissions for multiple kids’ phones within their Family Link app. So, if you are a proud parent of not just one amazing child, then you can use it to keep your children’s phone safe from any inappropriate app downloads or activities.
Basically, Google’s Family Link is just another monitoring tool like the XNSPY Android spy app but with a limited set of features.
You Can Only Do So Much with Parental Controls & Monitoring Apps
Even when you turn on parental controls on your kids’ devices, respectively. Or, install a monitoring app on their phones. It does not mean they will stop downloading apps entirely.
So, you will have to educate your children about the risks of downloading or installing untrusted apps. If your kids don’t know what a virus or spyware is, they will keep on taking risks to install any app they want into their computers/phones without thinking twice.
Also, let them know how “skinner box” gaming apps can get anyone addicted to them. As they revolve around the principle of getting rewards for accomplishing small tasks, available at set intervals.
And once a kid is trapped within its clutches, they often become addicted to mobile gaming. They could start playing such games for hours on end. Even keep making in-app purchases for virtual items that hold no real value.
If such behavior persists for a long time. It can result in your child’s poor grades, no social life, and an unstoppable in-app shopping spree — all at your expense.
A Few More Words
Lastly, make it a regular practice to check the usage of untrusted or unwanted apps in your children’s devices. Because that’s how you can see early signs of any strange activity or mobile gaming addiction in your children.
