New mobile phone service to offer total parental control
Parents will soon be able to take total control of their child's mobile phone thanks to a new service. Bemilo, the phone company behind the idea, will offer the service via the Vodafone network, allowing worried mums and dads to keep a close check on their youngster's phone habits.
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According to the Daily Mail, the service, which is aimed at children aged between eight and 16, will mean parents can read their child's text messages, control who they speak to and even when they call, text or use the Internet.
Previously, parents could only restrict their child's mobile phone use via the handset itself, but with Bemilo's system a website will grant access.
Linked directly to the phone's SIM card, the parents-only site will allow mothers and fathers to do everything from view sent and received messages, even those that have been deleted, to set up timers to switch the phone off, though calls to the parents' numbers will be available at all times.
Kids wanting to add a new friend as a contact will need a parent's say so before the phone will allow the change.
The pay-as-you-go SIM cards launch on Bemilo's website from today and will be available from Carphone Warehouse later this month, with parental control services costing from £2.95 a month.
While some campaigners have welcomed the service, critics say such control is "a step too far".
Nick Pickles, director of Big Brother Watch, told the Mail: "Giving parents the tools to control what their kids can do with smartphones is a good thing, but this is a step too far.
"If there are problems with what young people are using their phones for the way to fix them is not to have parents spying."
What do you think? Would you welcome the service or is it a step too far? Leave your comments below...
