The Nintendo Dsi, not unlike a computer, allows users to surf the internet, play interactive games and download content. Because of this, experts advise parents to consider exercising control over their child’s Dsi similar to what they do for the computer. It’s important for parents to understand the applications on the Dsi and what they do. The good news is that Nintendo Dsi is equipped with extensive parental control settings. There are several different Nintendo DSi applications that can be affected by parental controls.
These applications are:
- Exchange of Photo Data – Blocking this application means that you can disable your child’s ability to exchange photos with other Nintendo DSi systems as well as over DS Wireless Communications. This prevents system users viewing any photos that might be sent and prevents your child from sending photos as well.
- Restrict Access to User – The Nintendo Dsi has parental controls that allow parents to block certain user-created content. For example, games or applications that might allow the exchange of user-created levels, artwork and content can be blocked using the parental controls settings.
- DS Download Play – For example, the DS Download Play application allows the user to download and play certain multi-player games with other Nintendo DS system users, even if you have only one copy of a game. A user can also use this application to send and receive demos of certain software titles. Blocking access to DS Download Play will prevent game data from being sent to and from the system.
- Nintendo DSi Points – If you block this application, you are restricting the user’s ability to utilize Nintendo DSi points in the Nintendo DSi Shop. However, doing so does not block the purchase of points with a credit card nor does it block the redemption of points using a Nintendo Points card.
- PictoChat – Parents can block their child’s access to the PictoChat application. Blocking this application is great for parents who wish to monitor what messages their children can receive from other Nintendo DSi systems through DS Wireless Communications.
- Nintendo DSi Browser-This is the system application that allows the user to surf the internet. Even if your child has downloaded the Nintendo DSi browser, you can block their access to it thus preventing any browsing of websites.
The Nintendo DSi Browser is the number one feature that most parents are concerned about blocking because it’s very similar browsing the internet on a regular computer. The Nintendo Dsi allows a parent to block the use of the Nintendo Browser completely, or they can simply restrict certain content. If you choose to block the Browser function, follow these instructions:
To completely block the use of the Browser, select “Yes” to “Restrict the use of Nintendo DSi Browser?” while setting up Parental Controls.
To use content filtering to block inappropriate content – The Nintendo DSi offers users of the Browser, a free content filtering service. When it’s enabled, this service is capable of blocking over 60 million websites that contain inappropriate or undesirable content, such as pornography, illegal drugs, weapons and violence. To set up content filtering, follow these directions:
1.On the Nintendo DSi’s main menu, tap the “Web” icon to launch the Nintendo DSi Browser.
2.On the start page, tap “Settings.”
3.Scroll down through the settings until you reach a button labeled “Proxy.”
4.Click on it to reach the “Proxy Settings” menu.
5.Select “Use proxy” to highlight the proxy fields.
6.If it’s not already there, enter the following proxy information:
- a) In the “Server” field, enter: ds-content-filter.astaro.com.
- b) In the “Port” field, enter: 8080.
- c) If you want to use the proxy to access HTTPS (secure web sites), select “Use for HTTPS.” (This is optional.)
- d) To set up proxy settings, select “Use proxy authentication.” Then enter a username and password into the appropriate boxes. (This is optional.)
- NOTE: If you set up a username and password, you’ll be required to use them to unlock the proxy settings in the future.
7.When you are finished, select “OK” to save your settings and return to the Start Page.