Kids love iTunes. They can point and click to add music, ringtones, games, and other apps. Fortunately, you can limit what the kids can access and purchase on iTunes.

How? Through iTunes’ parental controls.

Accessing parental controls is simple. In Windows, click Edit. Select Preferences, then the Parental Control tab. On a Mac, click iTunes at the top of the screen. Select Preferences and click the Parental icon.

The first thing to look at is blocking podcasts. Not all podcasts are bad (like mine!), while others have no redeeming value. The Parental Control tab allows you to block all podcasts. Your children may want to download an acceptable podcast. In that case, remove the block temporarily.

Some of the online radio stations are uncensored and vulgar. You may want to block them, as well.

You also will have the option of disabling shared libraries. Usually, that will be libraries on other computers in your home. If you will have adult content in your library, check the box.

You can disable the iTunes store completely. If you do, your kids won’t have access to new online content. This removes one of the big drawing points for iTunes.