Kid Cell Phones

All of the major cell phone carriers offer parental controls of some level, including the ability to set content filters on Web-enabled phones as well as restricting calls and text messages by caller or time of day. Some features are free while others are fee-based. Consider features carefully to see which plans match your family’s needs.

Verified January 31, 2009

AT&T

AT&T (formerly Cingular Wireless) offers parental controls called Smart Limits (for its wireless plans) and MEdia Net parental controls for its MediaNet plans that offer Web access. With Smart Limits, parents can restrict the time of day calls are made and set limits on downloads and text messaging. Specific phone numbers can be specifically allowed or blocked. Parents can also block children from purchasing premium downloads such as ringtones and games, or set a dollar limit. But limits cannot be set on minutes used. A Smart Limits bundle allowing these parental controls is $4.99 per month. There is no extra charge for the filter. For children using MEdia Net, which allows Internet browsing, parents can activate a content filter that will restrict access to sites with mature content, including dating forums and chat rooms. There is no charge for MEdia Net parental controls, other than the usual per-minute charge to connect and turn the purchase blocker on and off.

To see details on parental controls for AT&T visit the following links:
AT&T Smart Limits

MEdia Net parental controls

Verizon

Verizon offers a variety of usage controls, including content filters. Parents can restrict the time of day calls are made or received and allow or block specific phone numbers. A limit can also be set on minutes used. Parents can also set content filters. The parental controls cost an additional $4.99 per month. There is no extra charge for the filter, which can be set as suitable for children 7 and up (C7+), 13 and up (T13+) or 17 and up (YA17+). (Filter out music, video, Mobile Web and more.) Internet access can be disabled.

To see what the ratings mean and view more details about Verizon’s parental controls visit:
Verizon parental controls

Sprint

Sprint offers a variety of parental controls and content filters. Parents can use limit calls and messages to a list of contacts they approve. Text messages and download purchases (such as ringtones, games and wallpaper) can also be blocked. On many phones, Internet access can be disabled, or just filter content. The filter blocks Web sites in accordance with content guidelines from the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) and the wireless association CTIA—generally filtering for ages 17 and under. Additionally, the camera can be turned off on some camera phone models. The filter and all of the parental controls features Sprint offers are free, and they can be managed on the cell phone or online (for example, go to you’re my Sprint account to enter a list of phone numbers you’d like blocked.) Sprint (Nextel) also runs the Sprint 4NetSafety program designed to encourage parents and kids to talk about safe cell phone and Internet use and how to avoid predators.

See Sprint’s safety and security information at:
Sprint Safety and Security

T-Mobile

T-Mobile’s Web Guard program is free (in fact, mandatory) as part of all KidConnect phone plans and can also be added to postpaid, prepaid and SmartAccess accounts. It is also preloaded on all T-Mobile Sidekick accounts. Once Web Guard is set, it cannot be turned off via cell phone; the primary account holder has to call customer service or go to My T-Mobile. Web Guard allows parents to take a variety of measures to restrict access to Web sites with adult content as well as sites that fall into a set of categories such as alcohol, drugs, weapons, gambing and hate. A feature called Family Allowances ($2 per month introductory price) lets parents set limits on calls, messages and downloads—but for safety reasons you can also set Always Allowed numbers. Parents can also block calls and texts from Never Allowed numbers and restrict times for calling and texting. Family Allowances limits can be changed online anytime.

To see a full list of Web Guard features go to:
T-Mobile Web Guard

For kidConnect and Family Allowances features go to:
T-Mobile’s Family Allowances

Alltel

Alltel has no name for its parental controls features, which are free and accessed via the My Account menu. The optional filters can be set to match age groups (Level 1 is all ages, Level 2 is 13+ and Level 3 is 17+) and/or to restrict access to URLs, chat rooms and downloads. Call Alltel customer assistance to cut off Internet access.

To see Alltel’s features go to:
Alltel