How to Childproof Your iPad

Turn On Restrictions

What it is: To limit the applications that are allowed on the iPad, you must enable the device's restrictions. You will be asked to create a four-digit passcode to protect the restrictions you choose — it is best to pick a different one than the one you use to turn on the iPad.

How to do it: Settings > General > Restrictions

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Turn Off the Erase Data Option

What it is: When the Erase Data Option is on and your passcode that turns on the iPad is keyed in incorrectly 10 times, the device wipes out all of your personal data. It's a great feature if your iPad is stolen, but when your kids don't know your PIN and are trying to get into your locked iPad, they're unlikely to stop trying at 10 guesses.

How to do it: Settings > General > Passcode Lock > Erase Data

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Disable Safari and YouTube

What it is: The default Internet browser gives tots the ability to search for anything and may lead them down a path you don't want them visiting. By disabling Safari, the icon is removed from your iPad home screen. The same process can be used for disabling YouTube.

How to do it: Settings > General > Restrictions > Safari/YouTube

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Turn Off App Downloads

What it is: This one's a bit obvious, but if you don't want your tot downloading his/her own apps, you'll want to turn this option off. At the same time, you'll want to turn off your kids' ability to delete apps because that will delete your personal data with it as well.

How to do it: Settings > General > Restrictions > Installing Apps/Deleting Apps

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Turn Off In-App Purchases

What it is: If you don't want to be blindsided by a sky-high iTunes bill, you best turn off your tot's ability to purchase things within apps.

How to do it: Settings > General > Restrictions > In-App Purchases

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Set Restrictions For Movies, Music, and TV Shows

What it is: The MPAA and RIAA have systems for rating movies, music, and TV shows in terms of the audiences they're appropriate for, so use it to your advantage and enable the age-appropriate restrictions in terms of the content your tot can view.

How to do it: Settings > General > Restrictions > Music/Movies/TV Shows

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Put the iPad Into Single App Mode

What it is: When mom opens an age-appropriate app and hands her iPad over to her tot, the last thing she wants the child to do is click the home button and move over to a different app that she may not want the tot to use. When enabled, Single App Mode ensures that kids can't click out of the app that's currently running.

To set it up, head to Guided Access, load the app you want to use, and then press the Home button three times. The app is then locked into use. When you're done with the app, press the Home button three times and enter your passcode.

How to do it: Settings > General > Accessibility > Guided Access

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Create an iTunes Allowance

What it is: For older kids who can and are responsible enough to buy their own apps, Apple allows parents to set up an iTunes allowance, without the kids ever touching mom and dad's credit card. The kids will have to have their own iTunes account (separate from their mom's and dad's), and the accounts can hold anywhere from $10 to $50 a month. Money not used each month rolls over to the next, and it can be closed at anytime (the leftover money can be withdrawn).

How to do it: iTunes > iTunes Store > Buy iTunes Gifts > Allowances > Set Up an Allowance Now

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Buy a Sturdy Case

While there's plenty you can do to protect your tots from your iPad's content, you'll also want to protect your device from your kids. One of the easiest ways to shield it from drops, bumps, spills, and whatever other mishaps your little ones may have in store for it is with a kid-proof case.

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