AT&T are offering "a new online service that enables you to provide your children with the freedom and security of a cell phone while setting sensible boundaries for its use."

AT&T Smart Limits is a $4.95/month service which allows you assign a limit the use of a specfic handset.

AT&T are aiming this towrds parents who want to determine specifically how and when thier child can use the phone by allowing limits to setup which control:

• Number of text and instant messages
• Dollar amount of downloadable purchases (ringtones, games & more)
• Times of day the phone can be used for messaging, browsing and outbound calling
• Who the phone can call or text (incoming and outgoing) by blocking or allowing certain numbers
• The access of content inappropriate for children

I think that this is a great service and in many cases it will pay for itself month after month, just in the saved charges that come kids can rack up.

The fact that one of the limits is the time of use is very important. The option to set the phone to be out of use during school times and late at night when they should be asleep is a great inclusion.

And of course, the fact this can block access of content inappropriate for children will be another strong selling point to parents.

Why did it take them so long to think of this - I could have saved so much !!! This is a great service.

This is a really important topic, I think. Thanks for starting, Biomehanika.

But I have a couple of questions:

1. How would this apply to WM phones, especially those with Wi-Fi?

2.  How many kids out there have WM phones - what is everyone seeing in the stores? Are people investing in smartphones for the kids, or are they purchasing the "buy 1 get 3 free" standard cell phones?

3. And, what is the future of "parental control" as phones get smarter? For example, Windows Vista comes with a very robust set of controls for parents, so they can limit almost any kind of computer use in many ways. Will this eventually become part of the phone OS, or will it always be left up to the carriers?

 

Hi Bill, you have raised some very good questions. 

Bill Fisher:

How would this apply to WM phones

From my understanding of the way in which carriers charge for usage, all phone calls, texts and internet usage is carefully calculated in real time depending on your own tariff. This will also include WM phones.

Bill Fisher:

especially those with Wi-Fi?

Even with Wi-Fi the download levels and content all scruitinized by the carriers, so if you download content where the supplier charges, this is passed through you carrier, who can charge and limit accordingly.

Bill Fisher:

How many kids out there have WM phones... Are people investing in smartphones for the kids?

I am seeing very few Windows Smartphones being bought for kids, they are mainly sold as business phones, here at least.

Bill Fisher:

Will this eventually become part of the phone OS

hmmm... very interesting. If the OS developers are becoming more responsible on PCs and Mobile Phones are becoming more and more like PCs... We can see Parental controls in place on PCs and PVR boxes, we developers begin to progress onto Mobile Devices. Its something that I would like to see.