Service Providers Safety Features for Wireless and Social Media Use by Children

Do children have a right to privacy when it comes to social media and cell phones?  As responsible parents technology equips us with tool s like GPS enabled cell phones and parental internet controls on computers.  I remember when I was a kid that I always needed to carry some change in my pocket to use a payphone to check in with my parents.  These days almost every child has their own cell phone, how did we ever survive without one when we were young?

With the capabilities of cell phones that can track their location, technology has even greater capabilities with Internet access in almost every cell phone.  So how do we as parents apply the right filters to these devices?  The answer lies with your service provider.  By contacting your service provider you can control the capabilities of the cell phone in the hands of your child.  Not only is it a safe idea to limit what your children have access to but it can be a good economic choice as well.

Unrestrained access on a cell phone is inviting trouble because the child does not have to be at home to access website that children should not be on, or use access to social networks while out of the house to meet others that they connect with.  Parental controls that are either available in the device or controlled through a network online account control can restrict downloads, web sites and features for blocking certain web sites while allowing others.

Some service providers have recommended children protection packages that may cost an extra charge per monthly service, but a little extra insurance is invaluable when it is measured against the peace of mind that it can provide protecting your children and the potential cost they can incur when having the ability to download anything they want.

Here are some packages that major providers offer to protect children with access on mobile devices:

AT&T:

-Provides consumer advice on connecting to the internet and child safety

-Provides safety connect program for all features connected through AT&T services

-Easy to use parental controls

Sprint/Nextel:

-Family Locator

-4NetSafety

-Partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Verizon:

-Partnership for Child Safe Internet

-Wireless has parental controls and usage controls

-FIOS has parental control to block content

Contact your provider for available service for child safety on wireless devices and social media.