Content courtesy of PBS Kids

The new iPad is out! After waiting in line all day for their new gadget, many people will be handing down older versions to their children.

According to a recent PBS KIDS survey, nearly a quarter of parents of 2 – 10-year-olds will find a second life for their personal tech devices by handing down to their kids.  Multi-iPad families are becoming the norm, but how do we keep kids safe when using the tablets?  

Before putting these interactive devices into kids’ hands for the bells and whistles of the newer version, parents should prep the devices for kids’ use with the following tips from PBS KIDS:

1.     Sweep it: All devices should be cleaned of any content including personal files, credit card information, etc. before handing down to kids. Parents should wipe all their browser “cookies” and perform an application sweep.

2.     Secure it: There are parental controls on most tech devices that can turn certain features on and off. Settings on the iPhone, for example, that can be restricted include explicit song titles, Internet browser, YouTube, iTunes and the camera.

3.     Set limits: As with any new toy, parents should set expectations and limitations with their kids when the device is handed down and should encourage other forms of learning and play beyond the screen.

4.     Find the right apps for your child: A good app is the perfect combination of education and entertainment and should be appropriate for your child’s age and stage of development.

Avoid apps that try to sell: Apps labeled “lite” or “free” often attempt to make money by trying to sell virtual items while a child is playing a game, or link to another related app that requires payment to download. Select apps from trusted, reliable sources, and make sure that they are not trying to market to your child.