Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
WITH SCHOOL OFF for the Christmas holidays, keeping them entertained is a full-time job.
But while your eyes are off them, you want to make sure they’re not watching or playing anything that might be deemed inappropriate.
Not only are there tons of apps designed for younger users, but you can prevent them from going into other apps without your permission.
Before you hand over control to your kids…
You can lock your phone or tablet so that your kids can’t exit or change apps without your permission.
If you’re an iPhone or iPad owner, this can be done through Guided Access which is found in Accessibility settings. While you’re there, you should disable in-app purchases by going into Settings > General > Restrictions and turn off In-App Purchases.
Android owners can use Screen Pinning which is found by going into Settings > Security > Screen Pinning. Now when you bring up the list of recent apps, tap the pin icon on the latest app you used to keep it fixed there. Be sure to activate PIN protection first before handing it over (you will be asked when activating it).
Turning off in-app purchases here is a matter of going into Google Play > Menu (tap top-left icon or swipe left to right) > Require Authentication For Purchases and disable it there.
Netflix
For: Web, iOS, Android,
Cost: €9.99 per month (Free 1 month trial)
An obvious choice considering how many shows are on it but with a constantly-growing kids section, Netflix is certainly a great way to keep younger viewers entertained.
The big change is how you can download certain shows onto your device, making long journeys more bearable for both parents and children.
YouTube Kids
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
A significant proportion of YouTube’s viewers tend to be from the younger demographic, and this app is designed to keep parents’ minds at ease.
With a filter system that only shows appropriate content, the app is incredibly simple to use, meaning even younger kids can use it without your help.
Toca Nature
For: iOS, Android
Cost: €2.99
If you want your kids to have fun building but learn about nature too, Toca Nature is a nice option. Kids can create their own nature reserve by planting trees, creating rivers, raising mountains and populating it with animals.
Once they’re done, they can explore their creation and see the different animals in action.
Crossy Road
For: iOS, Android, Windows
Cost: Free
The ‘Frogger crossed with Flappy Bird’-style game is still going strong with regular updates and changes since its release. Tap to move your character forward and get as far as you can without being crossed over by cars, trains or other obstacles.
It also helps that it’s the least-intrusive free-to-play games out there with paying to unlock characters optional.
RTEJr
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Containing kids shows from RTE’s kids section, RTEJr also includes radio shows and games for younger children to play. Similar to Netflix, it also allows you to download bite-size shows for watching when there isn’t a WiFi connection.
Minecraft – Pocket Edition
For: iOS, Android, Windows
Cost: €6.99
A regular feature on the top paid apps list, Minecraft has opened kids and adults to a whole new world of creativity since its launch in 2011. The pocket edition allows anyone to continue their game on the go, be it survival mode or building massive monuments and structures in creative mode.
LEGO City My City 2
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Who doesn’t like LEGO? In this, you get to build vehicles like firetrucks, boats and helicopters and use them to help the inhabitants of LEGO City by capturing criminals, putting out fires, and collecting parts so you can build different vehicles and buildings.
Best part is it’s completely free, meaning no in-app purchases to worry about.
Tayasui Blocks
For: iOS
Cost: €1.99
Blocks is all about building and sharing. Create your own 3D pixel art models, be it people, characters, items or anything that comes to mind, and share it with the world. If that doesn’t suit, you can take an existing model and make whatever changes you want to it.
If you wish, you can destroy your creations with a number of comedy weapons like TNT, laser gun or revolver.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
No. Please stop with all the articles about food. Let people eat what they want in peace
Afraid people might learn something?
@: I would stop caring if our healthcare wasn’t subsidised/free. For every person that fails to control their eating habits, we all foot the bill.
@: I would agree, but don’t see it as limited to food.
@Sean Murphy:
Could argue similarly about citizen’s sexual habits, driving habits, drinking habits, sporting habits, smoking habits, drug smoking habits and most critically their voting habits….all considered!!
@P.J. Nolan: You can’t be babysitting people
@Sean Murphy: 10 megacompanies control the food industry in the west.
Supermarket aisles are full of sugary processed foods that cause long-term damage to most people’s health, particularly young people who have grown up since the massive influx of highly processed foods that are stuffed full of salt, sugar and trans fats because these are cheaper than quality ingredients, have a long shelf-life, exploit human biology and maximise profit. It’s not down to individuals making the right decision. Cost is the number one factor and many people cannot afford to buy healthy food any more. That’s a government problem to fix and consecutive health ministers have failed miserably for decades on this.
@: Too much salt in the diet causes blood clotting and strokes – it’s a major issue in the west as processed foods are full of salt to give bland ingredients some semblance of taste.
@james rowan: And salt, any view on that?
I don’t even check the salt content of salt.
@Chris O’Brien: probably about 40% after it’s cut and mixed with baby powder
@James Lyons:
Maltose is sweet too….Na….tiz all about D-Sodi-yum!
Terrible the government giving that kip rte more money should be closed down and the land sold ,I’ve never bought a TV license and never will
@: You actually have no right to an opinion if you have never bought a license…..and you are typical of the moaners in here.I find the people who moan the most contribute the least.
@uUleRhCu: every one should stop paying and get dodgy boxes great job
@: I’d say you pay for very little and whinge that you don’t get enough entitlements and that we have crap services and the country is a kip.
@uUleRhCu: yes and I buy lots of drink and smokes and sniff and don’t work
What has that to do with salt?
@uUleRhCu:
A bit like all the overpaid talent neutral parasites that present most of their stock shows and those who have run the Montrose Mafia franchise…..into the very grounds they’ll soon be selling off in order to keep the Wonderly Wagon chuggin’ along!!
Checked the salt content of a packet of Cup Of Soup – and it’s the entire daily allowance in 1 day.
I keep a food diary on my kitchen counter.
Very rarely would I buy a sauce in a jar – full of salt and sugar.
I make my own sauces and they are mighty fine.
When I do go out or eat sauce from a jar it’s almost inedible now that I am used to much lower salt/sugar content.
Me mouth is still open from the RTE funding article
@Vincent Wallace: Don’t you mean firing article? 400 jobs gone, it’s what you wanted no?
That’s right Tubs
@Thesaltyurchin: Over 4 years, plenty of bloated positions in RTE that can be gone, matter of fact they should scatter that entity to the winds and sell Montrose and other holdings.
@Tom L: you really think it’s gonna be the top earners who get fired? Oh boy you’ve a lot to learn about this country
@Martin Mongan: Nah, but I’m sure they have plenty of ‘assistants’
Pretty easy to do with the RDA graphics on most food products. It can be sometimes surprising to see you can only eat 1/4 of a pizza before going over the RDA limit.
@Susa delrosario: Traffic light system would be better – red for any food product with more than 10% of daily intake in one serving.
According to our expert, Senator Lynn Ruane, the amount of salt one consumes is a reliable index of male whyht priviloyidge [sic].
@Antóin Ó Cumamothóin: lol that one of the wokest things I ever heard.
@: Salt is racist!!!
I refuse to answer this question until they give us a definitive answer on the eggs good/bad thing.
Snore.
@Iano C: SALT TAX INCOMING!!!
Try not to live your life in fear.
Aromat and crushed mixed pepper on eggs……*Homer drool* ;@}
Can’t beat good salt
@Argus Romsworth: compared to bad salt, yes, I agree wholeheartedly..
@Argus Romsworth:
Especially in your overnight IV drip for staving off hangovers etc….it’s only whopporrrhhh!!
There’s an app on the iPhone (and probably Android too) called Yuka. We usually scan every new item we buy – just to see if it’s healthy. It’s amazing how many are really unhealthy, with many containing potential carcinogens. On the positive side, we often find that the new ones are quite healthy. For some products that are not healthy, there are alternative recommendations. Many products that are bad or unhealthy tend to be high in salt or MSG.
“No. Please stop with all the articles about food. Let people eat what they want in peace”
May I ask you how this article disturbs anybody’s peace whilst eating?
What a weak troll mind. So easily triggered.
No. Nor do I like paying a double tax.
Yes, but the levels of sugar in food are far more worrying, and it is ‘hidden’ in a multitude of terms. Sugar, Glucose, Sucrose, Fructose, Glucose Syrup, Corn Syrup, Honey, Concentrated Fruit Extract, etc, etc. Some breakfast cereals and ‘healthfood’ bars are almost 30% sugar. Pizzas also have crazy levels.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Hence the increased salt in a lot of these very same foods.
High in sugar does cover the salt = they have to add more salt to the stuff.
I’m waiting for a post about how females are forced to consume/do without more/less salt than males and how unfair it is.
@Pato: yes indeed it’s called SRM – Salt Related Misogyny. The culture of men putting salt on their food in front of women is making them feel uncomfortable so they end up eating chocolate to relieve the stress which makes them fat, so that’s men’s fault as well etc. . .
So Israel have admitted that their bombing is now resulting directly in killing Israeli hostages.
I always check the salt content. And sugar. And the rest. Foolish not to!
@Tom Dillon: Certainly, just as one would with pharmaceuticals & vaccines.
@Antóin Ó Cumamothóin:
And especially ropey ‘alternative’ homeopathic alchemy tripe, livestock wormers and Hydroxy-Chloro-whim etc etc! ;~}
Not arsed, I want to enjoy my life, if a bit of salt is what does me in then fair play to it. Live by the sword die by the sword
I avoid processed foods regardless, salt content is the least concerning when it comes to processed muck. If one digs deep enough one can find the gaslighting behind this salt debate.
Graham Pickett Corrupt HR Pr!ck: While munching a McDonald’s, make sure to check the salt content! It’s the salt that’ll kill ya
What even is a good diet nowadays. Genuine question. Breakfast lunch and dinner ideas please.. or only one meal a day is it ?
@Emer Daly:
Self-heating by eating blended stews and coddles through thine neighbour’s glory portal!
Whatever you’re into..
Most stuff would be inedible without salt. Or at least wouldn’t be as tasty.
Try cabbage bacon and spuds sauce included without salt.
Salt is not bad for you. Suger and a bad diet is. Simple ..
Not gonna lie, salt is my biggest vice.
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: You must have so many wild and varied experiences to draw on for commentary.
@Antóin Ó Cumamothóin: Salt is the spice of life
What’s the point? Labels lie all the time.
@Anna Carr (Morrigan_Dubh): care to explain? Smaller producers might get away with some variations at time, but I’m sure the big ones are under regular scrutiny even from independent consumer agencies.
Do yourself a favour and cut out salts like monosodium glutamate and sodium nitrate.
On the one hand I prefer to make my own decisions instead instead of having to follow the dictates of the powers that be. On the other hand there is the (possibly) avoidable risk of premature disease that could clog up hospital beds and make burial directors prematurely wealthy. I am not sure that the case against salt has been proven.
have your say