AT&T Launches ‘Smart Limits’ Parental Control Website
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With more and more teens using cellular phones, it comes as no surprise that wireless companies are offering more tools for parents to control how and when their children use them.
AT&T recently launched a new service called ‘Smart Limits’ that allows parents to set boundaries on their childrens mobile phone use. Smart Limits is a web based interface that lets parents set limits on the following:
- Minutes.
- Text and instant messages.
- Downloadable purchases (ringtones, games & more)
- Times of day or night the phone can be used.
- Who the phone can call or text (or vice versa.)
- Internet content access.
This service looks as if it also works to curtail unexpectedly large mobile phone bills. When a child has come close to reaching their monthly limits, they will be warned and once the limit is reached they won’t be able to use restricted services until the next billing cycle begins.
Allowed numbers and calls to 911 are permitted, no matter what rules are set.
The Smart Limits service costs $4.99 monthly per line. To find out more please visit AT&T.
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2 Responses to “AT&T Launches ‘Smart Limits’ Parental Control Website”
I think it’s pretty smart marketing from AT&T, whether they actually realize it or not.
Most companies don’t really offer such controls, but rather the ‘appearance’ of controls. My provider lets me check how badly my daughter is abusing text during any given billing period, and calls that a control. Can I set a ceiling on usage? No, not really. Either she goes past the limit on my plan pricing, and just spends zillions more, or I opt for my provider’s “unlimited usage” plan.
If AT&T is smart, it’ll build on this position, and create more, ever-more meaningful services to address such issues. They could even extend it to how they approach the Internet overall. It sure might beat competing on pricing alone, which is what all of these services pretty much amount to when you get past all of the branding logos, colors, and inane advertising.
I’ve written a bit about it at DIM BULB, http://dimbulb.typepad.com if you want to check it out. Thanks!
By Jonathan Salem Baskin on Sep 5, 2007