Lilia2

Q: Parental controls/time restrictions on iPhone

I can safely say that my daughter's iPhone has ruined our lives.  We've had it for five days.  Yes, there are some built-in parental controls, but Apple has blocked anybody from offering a software program that will turn the dang thing off (I'm talking about texting and calling) at a certain time every night.  I have a daughter who is addicted to her phone and the battles are humongous to get her to do anything but text. 

 

There are plenty of good programs with good parental controls for the Android and Blackberry, but thanks Apple for not allowing us as parents to turn the phone off at night.  I know about Mobicip, which is a great company, but they can only turn the internet off, not texting or calling.  When you have a kid who can and will text 5,000 texts a month, we need something that eliminates the battles at home and can automatically turn the thing off when it's bedtime.  We're all losing sleep.  Most parents, when they get an iPhone for their kid, don't realize that Apple, unlike Android, has chosen to place more importance on children's privacy than parent's ability to place restrictions on their kids' phones.  I plan to take the iPhone back and get her an Android.

iPhone 4S, iOS 4.3.3, Time restrictions?

Posted on Mar 27, 2012 7:49 AM

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Q: Parental controls/time restrictions on iPhone

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  • by razmee209,

    razmee209 razmee209 Mar 27, 2012 9:02 AM in response to Lilia2
    Level 7 (33,405 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 9:02 AM in response to Lilia2

    Sorry I fail to see how this is Apple fault, maybe try contacting your carrier and see if they can put a restriction on the phone.

     

    Secondly, your a parent, who I assume bought the phone for your daughter, why not take the phone from her at night, shouldn't that be your responsibility as a adult and parent.  Why let your daughter control you when you should be controlling them.   I don't mean to offend you in anyway.  It's just a thought.

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Mar 27, 2012 9:19 AM in response to Lilia2
    Level 9 (55,946 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 27, 2012 9:19 AM in response to Lilia2

    Contact your carrier and put restrictions on it through them. And wake up and be a parent. If it's causing so much grief, grow a spine and take it away from her instead of blaming everyone else for your lack of parenting skills.

  • by modular747,

    modular747 modular747 Mar 27, 2012 9:21 AM in response to Lilia2
    Level 6 (19,343 points)
    iPad
    Mar 27, 2012 9:21 AM in response to Lilia2

    "Parental controls" also includes not allowing children access to the an iPhone, which is not a toy.  If you don't want your small child texting and calling, put a passcode lock on the phone and don't allow the child to use it.  Get some other game device for your kid...

     

    If returning your iPhone and going Androgny means we don't have to read your self-serving rants, I'm all for it!

  • by Lilia2,Helpful

    Lilia2 Lilia2 Mar 27, 2012 9:29 AM in response to razmee209
    Level 1 (7 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 9:29 AM in response to razmee209

    Your message tells me two things about you.  You're not aware that Apple does not allow third party developers to control or access built-in apps like SMS, email, etc., therefore time restrictions from my cell carrier or any other software developer are not possible.  This is something you can easily do with any Android or Blackberry from a number of good products.  Even the carriers such as AT&T who do have built in parental controls, can NOT control the iPhone.  The build-in parental controls of the iPhone are basically worthless and you cannot put time restrictions on the iPhone.

     

    Secondly, I can tell you have never dealt with an extremely social kid who is addicted to texting and social media.  Easy to say from a parent who spawned docile, compliant kids who don't text 5,000-7,000 texts a month.  My daughter had an android for a while and we used a great product to turn the thing off at night - beautiful, battle-free life for me.  No-can-do with the Apple iPhone.

     

    Can I take the phone away from her at night?  Sure.  Do I want to battle that every night?  No.  Do I want to sleep with the phone under my pillow every night?  I shouldn't have to.  If I leave it on the desk downstairs... you guessed it... she'll be down there in the middle of the night curious about who has texted her.  So, this might give you a little insight into my life.  She was born social and friends are the ultimate for her.... always has been even as a toddler.  She's a straight-A student.  But if she's up all night texting, the family pays BIG time. 

  • by razmee209,

    razmee209 razmee209 Mar 27, 2012 9:33 AM in response to Lilia2
    Level 7 (33,405 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 9:33 AM in response to Lilia2

    Sorry, I grew up in the old days,  where timeout didn't exist and if I disobeyed my parents, I would pay for it.

     

    It shouldn't be a battle your the parent enough said, your house your rules. 

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Mar 27, 2012 9:35 AM in response to Lilia2
    Level 9 (55,946 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 27, 2012 9:35 AM in response to Lilia2

    Your post tells me several things about you.

     

    You're not aware that carriers can restrict service without regard to the type of phone being used or the need to install any software on the device at all. AT&T CAN control when calls are permitted to be made and when text messages can be sent and recieved.

     

    You obviously have no parenting skills whatwoever. Take the phone away. Smash it with a hammer if you have to. Take her texting plan away and have the carrier put a complete block on texting.

     

    Send the kid to therapy for cryin out loud or off to a good military school.

     

    That or accept that the kid is a straight A student, make her pay her own bill and shut up about it.

  • by Lilia2,

    Lilia2 Lilia2 Mar 27, 2012 9:43 AM in response to Lilia2
    Level 1 (7 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 9:43 AM in response to Lilia2

    Self-righteous comes to mind when I read your posts.  Walk a day in my shoes before you criticize me for wanting the ability to turn a stupid cell phone off at night so my 14 year old daughter can go to sleep.  There are plenty of real parents who need this capability.  Even Mobicip tells me to get on the forums and voice my needs so that Apple can be convinced to open up their privacy policies for parents. 

     

    I understand that you don't have a kid like mine.  I'm one of the strongest parents you will ever come across, so don't blame me for not having a spine.  My husband wouldn't get a real kick out of that one because people who know me would never accuse me of that.    I'm just trying to eliminate some of the stress and arguments over the cell phone.  I'm all about fewer battles and a better relationship with my kid.

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Mar 27, 2012 9:48 AM in response to Lilia2
    Level 9 (55,946 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 27, 2012 9:48 AM in response to Lilia2

    Been there, done that. Obviously, you don't have a spine, or this wouldn't be an issue. This is the reason kids are growing up as spoiled little brats, feeling like they are entitled to everything. You're not willing to enforce any discipline on your kid because you want a better relationship with her? That's a cop out. You're not here to be her best friend. You're here to make sure she grows up into a responsible adult.

  • by Lilia2,

    Lilia2 Lilia2 Mar 27, 2012 9:53 AM in response to KiltedTim
    Level 1 (7 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 9:53 AM in response to KiltedTim

    Wow, you are cruel.  KiltedTom, you probably need to do a little research.  No carriers or third party developers can touch iPhone SMS, email or phone calling features.  The only thing they can do is restrict the internet.

     

    This is straight from Mobicip - read carefully so you have your facts straight:

     

     

     

     

    "Mobicip does not monitor or restrict chat/text messages as of now. It is a common request from other parents as well. Apple does not allow third party developers or cell phone carriers to control or access built-in apps like SMS, Email etc. Please note that Mobicip's filter and its settings will work only on the Mobicip Safe Browser and not on any other apps available on the device including Safari. While we would like to make our filtering service work with other apps on the device, Apple does not allow us to create software that runs in the background. Hence, we had to create our own browser to provide filtered internet access. Please note that this is the case with any other internet filter available for Apple's mobile devices."

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Mar 27, 2012 10:00 AM in response to Lilia2
    Level 9 (55,946 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 27, 2012 10:00 AM in response to Lilia2

    The carrier doesn't have to "touch iPhone SMS or calling features. THEY SHUT THEM DOWN at thier end.

    http://www.att.net/smartcontrols-SmartLimitsForWireless

     

    Have you even bothered to look to see what AT&T offers? Apparently NOT. You can effectively shut her down on any schedule you like.

     

    Restrict the times it can be used for messaging, browsing and outbound calling.

    That means no SMS, no iMessage, and no calling her friends. It doesn't block incoming calls, but messages will be blocked.

     

    Afraid she'll hop on your WiFi and use that instead? Then lock her out of it. You can even do it on a schedule if you have a half way decent router and a few ounces of technical understanding.

     

    FEATURES

    • ENHANCED FEATURE: Block incoming and outgoing calls and text messages - now up to 30 numbers.
    • NEW FEATURE: Block calls to 411 Directory Assistance (including 555-1212).
    • Restrict times of day the phone can be used for messaging, browsing and outbound calling.
    • Set limits for the number of text and instant messages allowed per billing cycle.
    • Choose a dollar limit for downloadable purchases (ringtones, games and more).
    • Select the amount of web browsing/data usage allowed per billing cycle.
    • Restrict access to inappropriate content with content filters.

    COST

    $4.99/month per line

    OTHER

    Calls and text messages to and from phone numbers you designate as “Allowed Numbers” and calls to and from 911 will continue to be permitted regardless of the limits you set.

    As your child approaches the text and download limits, he/she will receive an advance warning. Once a limit is reached, there will be a notification that the action is restricted and that the service will be stopped until the next billing cycle begins.

     

    Please Note Important Limitations:

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Mar 27, 2012 11:15 AM in response to KiltedTim
    Level 9 (59,201 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 27, 2012 11:15 AM in response to KiltedTim

    Verizon offers an almost identical service at the same price. I'm willing to bet Sprint does, too.

  • by Lilia2,

    Lilia2 Lilia2 Mar 27, 2012 11:27 AM in response to KiltedTim
    Level 1 (7 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 11:27 AM in response to KiltedTim

    Nope, AT&T Smart Controls do NOT work on the iPhone 3.0 or later.

     

     

    http://forums.att.com/t5/AT-T-Smart-Controls-8480-Smart/Smart-Limits-amp-iPhone/ td-p/2670099 Frankly, Tim, I think you are completely clueless for whatever reason and you just want to argue.  This is NOT a "support" forum but a crucify anybody who wants to put restrictions on their kids' iphones.

  • by ngmach,

    ngmach ngmach Mar 27, 2012 11:32 AM in response to Lilia2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 11:32 AM in response to Lilia2

    This is very personal and others have suggested it: the phone's not the problem. It will not matter if your daughter uses an iPhone or an Android phone.

     

    Mutual respect is where you should invest your effort.

     

    It's not easy being a parent. It's not easy to be a teenager.

     

    Take the phone from her after hours.

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Mar 27, 2012 11:35 AM in response to Lilia2
    Level 9 (55,946 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 27, 2012 11:35 AM in response to Lilia2

    The app to manage them doesn't work. That doesn't mean the service doesn't work.  Why don't you actually call AT&T and talk to them about it instead whining about it?

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