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Hernando Today

Parental Controls Expand For Wireless Customers

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: March 1, 2009

ORLANDO - As Web browsing becomes more available in the cell phone market, so does the exposure to the more lascivious side of the cyber world.

As text messaging becomes more popular, the opportunities for sexually explicit texting (known as "sexting") become more common.
Wireless providers have responded by offering parents more options for monitoring how their children use their mobile devices.

"More and more people use Web browsing on their phones, so that means there are more items that people can be exposed to," said AT&T spokeswoman Gretchen Schultz.

AT&T recently announced new services for its Smart Limits program, which users can purchase for $4.99 per month.

The service enables parents to establish times of the day the phone can be used for Web browsing, messaging and calling.

It also allows them to filter access to the Internet, define the number of messages allowed, determine the amount of Web browsing usage allowed per billing cycle, block or allow calls or text to and from specific numbers and limit downloadable purchases - from ringtones to graphics.

Verizon also offers a similar package, which unlike AT&T, includes free content filters. Parents can rate content based on the rating system used by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Previously, AT&T customers could only restrict Web access based on the time of day. Now parents can be more specific and target specific numbers, Web sites and set monthly limits of texting, browsing and calling, Schultz said.

AT&T announced on Tuesday its new browsing limits features to its Smart Limits service.

Wireless phone statistics

• Ninety-three percent of teens use the Internet.

• Roughly one-third of all online teens say they have been targets of "annoying and potentially menacing" online activities.

• Seventy percent of 8 to 18 year olds have accidentally come across pornography on the Web.

Statistics are based on a survey by Verizon Wireless

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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