Telstra Mobile Protect: saving your kids from themselves

Telstra has just launched a new suite of online tools to help parents manage their kid’s smartphones, with options to block certain numbers and to limit web use to particular times of the day.

You can almost hear the chorus of “But Mum!..” as parents discover this option.

Mobile Protect is a free set of tools accessible in your Account page on the Telstra website that lets you set parental controls to any phone number associated with your account. This include options to limit access to certain websites and to set data curfews for school nights.

You can also create a White List for contacts: a list of safe numbers which your kids can always communicate with. You can also set periods in each day when your kids can make and receive calls. Telstra is suggesting this could be used for times when they should be doing homework.

Parents can choose from one of three broad settings for web content: High (for kids 12 years and younger), Medium (for kids 13+) and Off, or no content restrictions.

Your kids receive an opt-in SMS when changes are made to the plan, so they know what they can and can’t do with their phones.

Based on info posted on the Telstra Exchange Blog, the Mobile Protect tools have been designed in response to overwhelming levels of concern from surveyed parents about how their kids use smartphones. Over three-quarters of these parents said they were concerned about strangers contacting their kids and about the thing their kids have access to online.

66 percent of these parents also said that their kids use smartphones in bed, between 9pm and midnight.

Strangely, no children were asked what they think. Typical adults.

Worse yet for kids, Telstra has drafted a ‘My First Mobile Agreement’ document (PDF link) that draws up the rules of engagement for when parents and kids come together to discuss how and when phones are allowed.

Interesting, this ‘Agreement’ does ask parents to set a good example by having them commit to the following:

“I won’t embarrass myself on Facebook, or engage in behaviour that sends the wrong message, like using the phone in the car, at dinner, or while we’re having a conversation.”

Well played, Telstra.

Joseph Hanlon

Editorial Director | X | LinkedIn

Joe Hanlon has been immersed in mobile phones, plans and the internet for over a decade, having written for publications like CNET, Techradar, Gizmodo and Lifehacker. He steers the editorial ship and makes sure that we are always serving up the most useful guides and recommendations. If you ever bump into Joe on the street, don't be afraid to ask for a phone recommendation. It's embarrassing how much he enjoys talking about this stuff. He also loves listening to podcasts, so feel free to email Joe with recommendations.

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