Apple needs to do more for parents
scobleizer.com
scobleizer.com
Anyway on the iPhone, deleting apps can be restricted in the settings. Buying apps can be restricted. Your phone can have a passlock. As wccrawford says, the best way is just to keep it away from your little kids, or monitor them closely.
As mentioned, you can block App deletion, and even if an App is deleted, you can easily restore (sure you lose data, but it's not a huge loss). I find little kids stay away from things they don't understand, like Mail, the browser, settings etc. They usually push the home button when they see the "grown-up" stuff, and want the games.
The one big issue is deleting photos. Apple should let you undo that, or maybe lock it.
Exactly. Instead of a blanket "keep your kids away from electronics", why not add parental controls where kids have access to educational apps but not videogames?
Which apps are those? I'm experimenting with making an app for kids and am trying to figure out what apps my 1 and 3 year old nieces are into.
Don't take the list above as endorsement though. From a toddler's perspective, they leave a lot to be desired. I have some thoughts you might find useful but perhaps you could elaborate on what kind of app are you building first?
My 3 year-old loves watching videos and playing simple games on my iPhone. But she can't grasp the idea of not pressing this really cool button at the bottom of the screen. So 30 seconds into the video I get an "aah! bring it back!". Over and over and over.
The only solution I have to date is to wrap a piece of cardboard with a rubberband and strap it over the home button. That works a bit longer, but it's still not perfect.
Your child will not lose IQ points if he doesn't have a shiny iOS device to play with. Give him a book or puzzle to do like the rest of us had growing up. I promise you he'll turn out just fine.
Here's my favorite quote from the comments: "Simple solution, don't let your kids get their grubby paws on your phone. I have none of these issues as my kids are not allowed to touch my phone. They have their own electronic toys and iDevices to play with."
Yes, that's right, the best way to prevent kids from destroying expensive things is to not hand them to them. There are devices designed for children that have these protections and more.
My 18-months old is getting really good at several puzzles on my old iPhone. He also deletes apps constantly, because there is no lock mechanism/parental controls. The fact that the iPhone is exclusively his to play with is irrelevant, as is its price.
"Show them the money" is equally irrelevant. By definition, you cannot measure how much consumers value something that's not there. I'd love to show Apple my money but I can't magically pay for a non-offered feature.
My pleasure ;)
They see adults playing with the better devices all day long and they want to do the same. How can you blame them?