Dave's Download

T-Mobile to Help Parents Control Kids' Cellphone Use

By David LaGesse

Posted: July 31, 2008

Nasty, end-of-month surprises may ease for parents with kids on a T-Mobile family plan. The wireless carrier is launching a new service that will let the account holder set limits on yakking, texting, and downloading teens and 'tweens.

The service can limit airtime, messages, and online purchases—no more unauthorized Guitar Hero III. Parents get notified when a limit is hit on a phone, which loses access to that capability. The service enables account holders to designate "always allowed" numbers that can continue to connect so they can still check on their young Jacks and Jills.

T-Mobile says it will charge an "introductory" rate of $2 for the service's launch in August.

IT'S ABOUT TIME

FINALLY! Thanks to a friend I had been speaking to on the phone over the past weekend she informed me of this new feature. I have forever been frustrated by the fact that there were no options to elimate the text messaging feature on my two daughters phones. Unfortunately being locked into a T-Mobile contract and texting is the main problem knowing how much time kids spend texting, what a relief to know that parents can now control when this feature can be used. Definitely being turned off during school hours.

Debbie of NJ @ Aug 26, 2008 08:05:16 AM

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Dave's Download

Our in-house gadget guru, Senior Writer David LaGesse, checks out the latest technologies and gizmos, from computer software to GPS systems -- and reports back to you in plain English.


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