Level up your parenting game: Tech-proof your family’s digital world through Family Sharing
Are you tired of feeling like you’re losing the battle to manage your kids’ screen time and online access? Yep, us too. But with family sharing on Apple devices, you can easily stay informed and keep your kids and their data safe while letting them enjoy all that technology offers.
Trying to keep your kids safe in the digital world is like trying to catch a greased pig. You’ll be running around in circles, trying to keep up, but it’s always one step ahead. With Family Sharing, you can finally grab that pig by the tail and take control of the situation.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to set up Family Sharing on all devices. Get ready to become the tech-savvy parent you never knew you could be!
What is Family Sharing?
If you’re a parent it’s likely your kids are constantly asking to buy stuff on their devices. You’re already shelling out big bucks for their data plans and devices, and now they want you to pay for their apps and music, too? Ugh.
That’s where Family Sharing comes in. It’s like a digital piggy bank where all your family members can pool their purchases from the App Store, iTunes, and Apple Books. You can also share things like music and TV shows, so everyone can get their entertainment fix without breaking the bank.
But Family Sharing isn’t just about saving money. You can also use it to keep tabs on your kids’ screen time and set up parental controls. That way, you can be sure they’re not spending all their waking hours glued to their screens or watching something they shouldn’t be. Plus, you can even track their location, so you know where they are and if they’re getting into any mischief.
Overall, Family Sharing is a great way to keep your digital life organised and your family connected. Just don’t tell your kids that they’re saving you money – they might start asking for a cut!
All right, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and start setting up Family Sharing. Let’s dive right in and get everything set up, so you can start enjoying all the benefits of this nifty feature.
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How do I set up Family Sharing on multiple devices?
Setting up Family Sharing on multiple devices is easy and straightforward. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on your Apple ID profile at the top of the screen.
- Select “Family Sharing” from the menu.
- Tap “Get Started” and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Family Sharing group.
- Once you’ve created a Family Sharing group, you can add other members by inviting them via iMessage or email.
Can your family share on multiple devices?
Yes, your Family Sharing group can share data and purchases on multiple Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TVs. You need to set up Family Sharing on each device and ensure that they are all linked to the same Family Sharing group.
How do I turn on sharing on all devices?
To turn on sharing on all devices, you need to enable “Share My Purchases” in your Family Sharing settings.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on your Apple ID profile at the top of the screen.
- Select “Family Sharing” from the menu.
- Scroll down to the “Shared Features” section and turn on “Share My Purchases.”
How do I link a device to Family Sharing?
To link a device to Family Sharing, you need to follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on the device you want to link.
- Tap on your Apple ID profile at the top of the screen.
- Select “Family Sharing” from the menu.
- Tap on “Join Family” and follow the on-screen instructions to link your device to your Family Sharing group.
Tips for parental control and data usage
Now let’s get to the juicy part – the real reason why we really want to put Family sharing in place. Not only you can share purchases and subscriptions, but you can also keep a check on your kids’ devices with these handy tips for parental control and data usage. Here is how:
- Set up screen limits: We all know how tempting those screens can be, setting screen limits for your kids is like putting a speed bump on the information superhighway. It slows them down just enough to prevent a digital pile-up. And here is how to do it.
To do this, go to Settings > Screen Time and set up the limits.
- Manage app usage: Time to put your virtual foot down! With app management, you have the power to be the bouncer of your kids’ digital world. Just like a club bouncer, you can restrict access to certain apps or categories. So no sneaking into the VIP section for the kids.
To do this, go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits.
- Monitor activity: Now, I know you love your little ones, but they can be quite the sneaky tech ninjas when they want to be. Luckily, with Family Sharing, you can channel your inner James Bond and monitor their every move on their devices. Keep tabs on their digital shenanigans by checking the Screen Time reports, and make sure they’re not up to any funny business. Because let’s face it, we all know they’re probably watching cat videos on YouTube instead of doing their homework.
To do this, go to Settings > Screen Time > See All Activity.
- Enable content and privacy restrictions: Don’t let your kids stumble upon content that’s not meant for their innocent eyes. Enable content and privacy restrictions to lock the door to the digital danger zone. You can enable content and privacy restrictions to prevent your kids from accessing inappropriate content or making changes to the device’s settings.
To do this, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Share locations: We all want to give our kids a little bit of independence, but not at the cost of their safety. With Family Sharing, you can strike the perfect balance. Share your location with each other and set up some content and privacy restrictions on their devices. It’s a surefire way to keep them safe and happy at the same time.
To do this, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Share My Location.
There are several parental control apps available that allow you to monitor and manage your kids’ devices remotely.
- Net Nanny: Considered the best parental control app with intuitive design, web filtering, and app management features. Works well on both iOS and Android devices.
- Kaspersky Safe Kids: Offers affordable pricing, full-featured free and paid tiers, and compatibility with PCs, Macs, iOS, and Android devices. Some limitations on iOS.
- Qustodio: Provides wide multi-platform support, including iOS, Android, Amazon Fire tablets, Macs, PCs, and Chromebooks. Offers location tracking and call/text monitoring on Android.
- Norton Family: Suitable for Android and Windows households, offering strong web filters, location tracking, and time schedule. Limited functionality on iOS and does not work on Macs.
- OurPact: Known as the best parental control app for iOS devices, it allows management and blocking of iOS apps, scheduling, and limited web filtering.
- Google Family Link: Free app for Android devices, granting parents control over permissions and app downloads. Limited web filtering and no iOS support.
- Screen Time: Offers device access management and scheduling. App management and web filtering are available for Android only. No call or text monitoring.
- ESET Parental Control for Android: Provides location features and compatibility with unlimited devices. Lacks call or text monitoring and has a confusing user interface.
Parental control apps are a valuable tool for ensuring the online safety of your children and managing their digital activities. These apps offer a range of features, from monitoring screen time and blocking inappropriate content to tracking location and managing app usage. You can download these apps from the App Store and link them to your Family Sharing group.
Conclusion
With the rise of technology, keeping our little ones safe while navigating the digital world can feel like an uphill battle but setting up Family Sharing on all devices can be a game-changer for parents who want to manage and control their kids’ screen time and data usage.
By creating a Family Sharing group, you can share purchases, subscriptions, and other data among your family members, while also setting up parental control and data usage restrictions.
With the tips and tricks shared in this article, you can easily set up Family Sharing on your Apple devices and ensure that your kids are safe and secure while using their devices.
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