Protective parents: Gold for cellular services?

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Parents can also restrict kids from using certain services and designate when other services can be used. In addition, parents can limit which numbers can be dialed as well as restrict certain numbers from ringing on the phone. By way of Global Positioning System technology, parents can even pinpoint the location of their child's handset on a map. There's also an alert function that sends priority messages among family members.

Aftab said parents interested in a service such as Disney's are the same ones who put their home computers in the living room or family room so they can monitor what content their kids access online.

"(Your kids) could be downloading ring tones of orgasm sounds, for all you know."

--Parry Aftab, executive director, WiredSafety

"Once your kid leaves the house, you have no idea what he or she is doing with (the) cell phone," she said. "They could be downloading ring tones of orgasm sounds, for all you know. Or maybe they're being bullied by another kid through text messages. Disney is the first company to address these concerns."

While large carriers may not offer as comprehensive a service as Disney's, they have still been working to address parents' concerns. Cingular's Owen said parents are able to request that certain services, such as text messaging or Web browsing, be turned off on one or more of the phones in their family plan. Parents can also check minutes and usage for each phone in the plan online or from their handsets.

"We're constantly looking to improve all of our services," Owen said. "And it's definitely an area we're looking into."

Cingular and Verizon Wireless also offer controlled-use mini cell phones for the under-10 set. These gadgets are designed to let parents manage costs and the calls their kids make and receive while remaining connected.

Cingular's FireFly phone has buttons for preprogrammed phone numbers for Mom and Dad, along with a button for 911 emergencies. Up to 20 additional numbers can also be programmed into the phone. Verizon's Migo phone from LG also offers a dedicated emergency button, along with four buttons that parents can program.

Even though the big carriers' services and phones don't match the functionality of newcomer Disney Mobile, they still may have an edge over Disney. For one, most parents who'd even consider buying a cell phone for their kids are already customers of one of the big cell phone companies. It might be easier and more cost-effective for them to wait for new features to be added to their current provider's packages.

"Disney's offering is more comprehensive, in terms of parental control, than anything else I've seen on the market," said Julie Ask, an analyst at JupiterResearch. "But whether or not large numbers of parents subscribe to the Disney service may depend on pricing and the value of the services."

Disney hasn't yet announced its mobile service's pricing details. Cingular and Verizon offer entry-level packages that include free mobile-to-mobile calling, as well as free nights and weekends, for $60 and $70 per month, respectively. These services include two phone lines, and additional lines can be added for $9.99 each.

[JFDMit]

Fleecing the feeble-minded

There is probably no better target market than frightened neurotics, and there is probably no group in society more neurotic and frightened than modern parents.

Never mind the fact that the overwhelming majority of child rapists and murderers are members of the victims' own families, we are constantly fed a diet of horror stories about the boogyman lurking just outside the school gates or just at the other end of a Net connection.

Child abduction by strangers remains a small percentage of overall crimes against children, yet society spends an inordinate amount of time obsessing about it. As a result, over the past 20 years, the way children are treated has changed out of all recognition. Many are barely allowed out of the house. They are ferried to and from school in tank-like SUVs. They are watched intently for signs of 'aberrant' behaviour and, if they demonstrate any sign of rebellion, are whisked off to the doc or shrink for Ritalin or counselling. Now, we're devising ways of electronically tagging them as if they were household pets.

What does the future hold for these pampered, overindulged, henpecked and largely sedentary children. According to most of the studies I've seen, an early death from diabetes, heart disease and the other side effects of obesity and inactivity. One study predicts that, by 2020, 33% of the population will have Type II diabetes. It is likely that life expectancy will begin to decline as well, for the first time since records began (excluding wartime).

I predict that we'll also see a dramatic upturn in mental illness, as the little princes/princesses are turned loose on an uncaring world with which they are ill-equipped to cope. This may partly explain why so many young people are still living with mom and dad in their late 20s and early 30s: they simply don't know how to take care of themselves.

So we spend money on technologies to reduce the 0.001% chance that junior will be harmed by a sexual predetor, yet we subject our children to a lifestyle that will increase their liklihood of an early death by 20 or 30%.

Brilliant thinking.

[JFDMit]

Fleecing the feeble-minded

There is probably no better target market than frightened neurotics, and there is probably no group in society more neurotic and frightened than modern parents.

Never mind the fact that the overwhelming majority of child rapists and murderers are members of the victims' own families, we are constantly fed a diet of horror stories about the boogyman lurking just outside the school gates or just at the other end of a Net connection.

Child abduction by strangers remains a small percentage of overall crimes against children, yet society spends an inordinate amount of time obsessing about it. As a result, over the past 20 years, the way children are treated has changed out of all recognition. Many are barely allowed out of the house. They are ferried to and from school in tank-like SUVs. They are watched intently for signs of 'aberrant' behaviour and, if they demonstrate any sign of rebellion, are whisked off to the doc or shrink for Ritalin or counselling. Now, we're devising ways of electronically tagging them as if they were household pets.

What does the future hold for these pampered, overindulged, henpecked and largely sedentary children. According to most of the studies I've seen, an early death from diabetes, heart disease and the other side effects of obesity and inactivity. One study predicts that, by 2020, 33% of the population will have Type II diabetes. It is likely that life expectancy will begin to decline as well, for the first time since records began (excluding wartime).

I predict that we'll also see a dramatic upturn in mental illness, as the little princes/princesses are turned loose on an uncaring world with which they are ill-equipped to cope. This may partly explain why so many young people are still living with mom and dad in their late 20s and early 30s: they simply don't know how to take care of themselves.

So we spend money on technologies to reduce the 0.001% chance that junior will be harmed by a sexual predetor, yet we subject our children to a lifestyle that will increase their liklihood of an early death by 20 or 30%.

Brilliant thinking.

[Terri67]

This neurotic parent (me) was one of about 120 children held hostage years ago. I watched a teacher have her throat cut. The man who held us hostage was not a relative or family friend. I don't know what cave you live in, but if you'll review news reports for the last 30 years or so, you will realize that simply sending your child to school can be one of the most dangerous, deadly things you can do. So, I am considering buying my children a phone with a one button, one push 9-1-1 feature. And I have walked the perimeter of their school with them and pointed out places they can run, if they ever need to. I was held hostage before cell phones and things would have gone much worse for us except two or three little boys who knew the local area, I mean really knew it, got away and ran for help. Thus, the police were notified. By the way we also eat vegetable and use our seat belts. I guess I'm ready for a rubber room.

[UStraveler]

Disney Mobile vs. major MNOs (using TalkPlus)

I was on the floor at CTIA watching a demo of TalkPlus' new service. It contains a lot of features like: parental controls (both over 18 and age range filtering), white lists, black lists, and multiple identities while talking with instant messenger users (you on your cell and others on their PC). etc., etc., etc.

The TalkPlus guys build enhanced mobile services for MNOs and MVNOs, so, Disney's new "uniqueness" is about to dissapear as the big boys rollout consumer services that go way beyond Disney Mobile's offering.

If I remember correctly, they are about to go live soon...

Lastly, doesn't TCS or AirFlash own the patents on LBS services related to finding people with dual notification when searching?

If Disney is going to be successful here, it will be due to their BRAND NAME, not some generic services that everyone will have via a FREE download in less than six months...

[UStraveler]

Disney Mobile vs. major MNOs (using TalkPlus)

I was on the floor at CTIA watching a demo of TalkPlus' new service. It contains a lot of features like: parental controls (both over 18 and age range filtering), white lists, black lists, and multiple identities while talking with instant messenger users (you on your cell and others on their PC). etc., etc., etc.

The TalkPlus guys build enhanced mobile services for MNOs and MVNOs, so, Disney's new "uniqueness" is about to dissapear as the big boys rollout consumer services that go way beyond Disney Mobile's offering.

If I remember correctly, they are about to go live soon...

Lastly, doesn't TCS or AirFlash own the patents on LBS services related to finding people with dual notification when searching?

If Disney is going to be successful here, it will be due to their BRAND NAME, not some generic services that everyone will have via a FREE download in less than six months...

[chns]

well...

James,
Obesity and health/mental issues is a convoluted justification for why NOT to have parental control over cell phone usage by kids!
The reason why such services exist is to allow your kids to have the freedom that they need by providing parents with a 'tool' to track/monitor a child's whereabouts.
So in fact, this solves your complaint of kids growing obese by being chauffered around in "tank-like SUVs" - They no longer have to be as parents can be rest-assured that they'd be notified if the kid is in danger.
BTW life has changed significantly over the past 20 years with advancements in technology making it **extremely** easy for kids to get in contact with the wrong person, so its not reasonable to compare (in absolute terms) the way kids were and are brought up.I think parents have SOME justification to be "frightened neurotics" as their kids are more vulnerable. This may be a small percentage of crimes agains kids,but its fast growing.
p.s: I'm not a parent...Just my 2cents on why this is service is potentially useful.

[chns]

well...

James,
Obesity and health/mental issues is a convoluted justification for why NOT to have parental control over cell phone usage by kids!
The reason why such services exist is to allow your kids to have the freedom that they need by providing parents with a 'tool' to track/monitor a child's whereabouts.
So in fact, this solves your complaint of kids growing obese by being chauffered around in "tank-like SUVs" - They no longer have to be as parents can be rest-assured that they'd be notified if the kid is in danger.
BTW life has changed significantly over the past 20 years with advancements in technology making it **extremely** easy for kids to get in contact with the wrong person, so its not reasonable to compare (in absolute terms) the way kids were and are brought up.I think parents have SOME justification to be "frightened neurotics" as their kids are more vulnerable. This may be a small percentage of crimes agains kids,but its fast growing.
p.s: I'm not a parent...Just my 2cents on why this is service is potentially useful.

[mmartin88005]

Disney Mobile fails to live up to the advertising

I had really, really wanted this service to work. It promised all
the features I wanted: controlling when the phone could be
used, how many messages could be sent, even being able to
locate my teen (which I used once and was very useful).

From the start there were problems - anyone with blocked caller
ID could call in. The calls could go over the preset limit. Since
the current usage itemization isn't available, you have to wait
until the next bill to explain to your kid why she is over limits.
Disney Mobile blamed these problems on their piggy back
service provider (which is Sprint).

Then they upgraded the Call Control scheduler, but it doesn't
work. You set it up, save it, it says OK online, but the phone is
not restricted.

When they upgraded Call Control, my daughter was no longer
able to see her usage on her phone, so she is unrestricted and
has no idea she's over her limit. Gets expensive at 10 cents a
message. So tech control tells me they're "working on it."

So the phone has become a real pain - the $175 early
termination fee seems like a bargain compared to being on hold
with tech control only to be told they're working on it.

Your experience may vary.

[mmartin88005]

Disney Mobile fails to live up to the advertising

I had really, really wanted this service to work. It promised all
the features I wanted: controlling when the phone could be
used, how many messages could be sent, even being able to
locate my teen (which I used once and was very useful).

From the start there were problems - anyone with blocked caller
ID could call in. The calls could go over the preset limit. Since
the current usage itemization isn't available, you have to wait
until the next bill to explain to your kid why she is over limits.
Disney Mobile blamed these problems on their piggy back
service provider (which is Sprint).

Then they upgraded the Call Control scheduler, but it doesn't
work. You set it up, save it, it says OK online, but the phone is
not restricted.

When they upgraded Call Control, my daughter was no longer
able to see her usage on her phone, so she is unrestricted and
has no idea she's over her limit. Gets expensive at 10 cents a
message. So tech control tells me they're "working on it."

So the phone has become a real pain - the $175 early
termination fee seems like a bargain compared to being on hold
with tech control only to be told they're working on it.

Your experience may vary.

[raltonmartin]

would like to use this software

[raindog1992]

I think until you have a teenager, who is about to begin driving with mental illness, it would be difficult for you to describe using these features as convoluted justification. My daughters illness, emerging bipolar, has the potential for her to make risky choices she wouldnt normally make. In fact the tracking feature was suggested by her shrink.