Service Lets Parents Watch Kids' Cells

New AT&T interface includes limits on mobile minutes, texting, downloads
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 4, 2007 2:39 PM CDT
Service Lets Parents Watch Kids' Cells
"We were certainly hearing from parents who were dismayed at overuse of text or phones," said Carlton Hill, vice president of voice products for AT&T's wireless unit and the mother of two teenagers. "We want to find a way for kids to use phones without having to take the phone away."   (Getty Images)

As cell phones become ever more an extension of kids' ears and thumbs, AT&T is helping bill-paying parents avoid the sweaty-palmed opening of the monthly bill. For $4.99 a month, Smart Limits lets parents have some say in who and when their children call, and how many texts and downloads they're allowed, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Almost a quarter of children aged 10 and 11 have cell phones, and AT&T even sees a market for the easy-to-use online interface in keeping tabs on tweens—a February survey found that 25% of parents would be willing to pay for one. The figure increases to 37% for parents of children younger than 13. (More children stories.)

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