New Service Sets Cell Phone Limits

A new service recently announce by AT&T can give parents more control over kids cell phone usage. AT&T Smart Limits for Wireless is a Web-based service that allows a parent to set usage limits on a child's talk time, text messages, instant messages and downloads, as well as manage how and when a child can communicate, restrict access to mobile Web sites and allocate minutes among users of shared wireless plans. The new service, which is part of AT&T's Smart Limits program across multiple technologies, helps parents protect children from inappropriate calls, texts and Internet content by allowing them to block numbers they deem inappropriate and filter access to content on their child's phone. The service also lets parents establish a maximum dollar amount that can be spent on download purchases such as ringtones and games, and control the time of day and days of the week that the phone can be used. When a child nears the established usage limit for any wireless capability, he or she will receive a warning notice; once the limit is reached, the service will be restricted. Calls and text messages to 911 as well as numbers designated as "Allowed Numbers" are permitted regardless of restrictions. Parents can also go online and change the limits at any time. AT&T Smart Limits for Wireless is available for $4.99 a month for each line for AT&T wireless consumers who subscribe to a new or existing postpaid rate plan. No special phone is required.

A recent AT&T survey found that 84 percent of consumers believe parental controls and safety tools are "extremely" or "very" important in keeping children safe. Nearly one-third of those adults said they do not feel they understand those tools well enough to protect children from today's threats. Experts commenting on the new service point that while the new service is helpful, it should only be used for kids who can't exercise self control over their phone usage, such as kids just getting their first phone. "As with everything related to technology, the best approach is education and monitoring and making sure the kids gain their own self-control to handle the use of the technology appropriately," Nancy Willard, executive director of the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use and cyberbully.org. Sage advice. Do you use a service to restrict your child's cell phone access? How is it working out?

Testing the Cell Phone Ban

If you are fighting a cell phone ban in your local school or district you might be interested in the odyssey of the policy of the Montgomery County, MD schools. They've gone to a policy of parent waivers for cell phones or an "out of sight, out of mind" after last year testing this policy out in 4 middle schools. They found that that the kids could handle it. Perhaps this is a way to coax a district that has taken a complete ban stance to look into the issue once again.

Making Our Kids Safer Online: Emphasis on Education

Recently, the U.S. Senate held a committee hearing regarding children's digital safety and steps needed to be taken to prevent predatory behavior. Perhaps you may be surprised to hear that much of the testimony emphasized the importance of online safety education over the use of filters. Even Senate members are beginning to recognize that there is no "silver bullet" approach to keeping kids safe online. Besides Senate members, the current reigning Miss America, Lauren Nelson, who herself was a victim of online advances, spoke out on the topic. To read a summary of the testimony see an article on the PBS site entitled Senate Hearing on Online Safety: More Emphasis on Educating Kids. To see webcasts of the statement and witness testimony go to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Ban the Internet at School?

Perhaps they are not out to ban the entire Internet, but the Professional Association of Teachers in Britain has voted to ban Wi-Fi and YouTube. The Association wants Wi-Fi's health risk investigated before it is used in schools. This means not installing new wireless networks and disconnecting the old ones. As for YouTube and similar sites, the Association says that these sites encourage cyberbullying against both students and teachers. What's the stance on such topics at your school? Will this be a topic at parent's night this year?