How to Monitor Kid's Cell Phones
Most parents will hear the words, "Mom and dad, can I have a cell phone?" way before they're ready to deal with the fact that their babies are growing up. Children are asking for cell phones at a much earlier age, and they may not be ready for the responsibilities that having one brings. While it's important to trust your child and have an open line of communication, you can't always prevent what other people may send him. If you decide to monitor your child's cell phone usage, be open with him. Let him know that you're just doing it for his own safety, and address any concerns he may have.
Things You'll Need
- Cell phone tracking software
Instructions
Use a cell phone tracking service. My Mobile Watchdog and Mobile Spy are two services that allow parents to keep track of what their children are doing. These programs allow parents to see a detailed list of text messages, phone calls and picture messages. Ask your cell phone company for detailed billing. This feature allows you to see the numbers your child calls and the length, time and date of those phone calls. Some companies allow you to view text messages as well. Detailed billing is generally cheaper than paying for a cell phone tracking service, but it lacks the ability to see what pictures are being sent and received. Check with your phone company to see if it has parental controls available. These types of filters can generally block access to mature content and keep your children from downloading ringtones, games and images. Not only are you keeping your children safe, but you're lessening your chances of getting a sky-high bill loaded with expensive downloads.
