Tech Made Simple

Hot Topics: Holiday Gift Ideas | How to Fix Bluetooth Pairing Problems | How to Block Spam Calls | Snapchat Symbol Meaning

We may earn commissions when you buy from links on our site. Why you can trust us.

author photo

Make Sure Your Teen is Practicing Safe Text

by Stewart Wolpin on March 23, 2010

Teen girl textingWorried your teen is engaging in risky texting behaviors? Two new texting services can monitor conversations and block texting while driving.

SMobile Parental Controls & Monitoring

You can now monitor just about everything your child does on her cell phone–except voice conversations–with SMobile's Parental Controls & Monitoring software. It checks messages for user-definable key words (i.e. pot, beer, sex, etc.), backs up the content stored on the phone and scans for malware. In July, an image analysis update will enable the software to recognize and actually let you stop offensive images from being sent or received. The app works on Symbian, Android, Windows Mobile and BlackBerry phones and costs $30 a year.

TextArrest

TextArrest not only monitors how your child is using their BlackBerry or Android phones, but also where they're using it, especially if they're driving. Once installed on their phone, all functions become disabled when the GPS-powered app senses your child is moving faster than 5 MPH (you can set the speed limit). The phone also sends you alerts when he or she travels outside of a given geographic – or "geofence" – area. The software is free if you just want to lock the phone against unwanted texts while driving, $4.99 for the whole geofence and phone monitoring package to monitor up to five phones, or $9.99 for up to 10 phones.


Topics

Phones and Mobile, News, Cell Phones, Family and Parenting, Kids


Discussion loading

Home | About | Meet the Team | Contact Us
Media Kit | Newsletter Sponsorships | Licensing & Permissions
Accessibility Statement
Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookie Policy

Techlicious participates in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which provide a small commission from some, but not all, of the "click-thru to buy" links contained in our articles. These click-thru links are determined after the article has been written, based on price and product availability — the commissions do not impact our choice of recommended product, nor the price you pay. When you use these links, you help support our ongoing editorial mission to provide you with the best product recommendations.

© Techlicious LLC.