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AT&T Launches Smart Limits for Wireless Families
By Jeff | September 5, 2007
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AT&T Smart Limits for Wireless allows parents to set sensible boundaries for their children’s/ teenager’s (or irresponsible husband’s) cell phone use and avoid getting any of those ’surprise’ billing statements. |
I OWE HOW MUCH!?!?!?
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AT&T Smart Limits for Wireless allows a parent to set usage limits on their child’s talk time, text messaging, instant messaging and downloads, manage how and when their child can communicate, restrict access to mobile websites, and allocate minutes among users of shared wireless plans.
AT&T Smart Limits for Wireless is the newest addition to the AT&T Smart Limits suite of products and services, which brings together information about parental control features across our wireless, wireline, broadband and video services.
With AT&T Smart Limits for Wireless online service, customers can:
- Limit the number of minutes their children can use their wireless phone
- Set limits on text and instant messages
- Establish a dollar amount for allowed downloads
- Control the time-of-day and days-of-week the phone can be used
- Manage the phone numbers to/from which a wireless phone can make/receive calls; and,
- Filter access to websites containing content inappropriate for children.
When a child nears the established usage limit for any of their wireless capabilities (minutes, text/IM, or downloads), he or she receives a warning notice. Once a limit is reached, the service will be restricted. Calls and text messages to and from phone numbers the parent designates as “Allowed Numbers” and calls to 911 will continue to be permitted regardless of the limits you set.
Results of a recent AT&T survey revealed that 84 percent of consumers believe parental controls and safety tools are extremely or very important in keeping children safe while they use today’s entertainment and communications technologies. Nearly one-third (31 percent) of those adults do not feel they have adequate knowledge of how to use those tools to protect children from today’s threats.
AT&T Smart Limits for Wirelessâ„¢ is another way that AT&T is integrating services and features to help customers manage content delivery across any of their devices and decide what is appropriate for their family. The service is available for $4.99 a month for each line for AT&T wireless customers subscribing to a new or existing postpaid rate plan.
Basically, Smart Limits allow you to have control of the other users on your account even during times when you don’t necessarily have control of their usage. As customer service representatives, we have heard the same story millions of times (and collectively that is not an exaggeration).
I don’t even know how to download. (Sure. Whatever. You click what you want, then click yes to accept on your phone. Yeah, that’s hard.)
My kid is honest and she/ he said they didn’t download any games. (It’s amazing how many kids seem to mimic the life of Jesus Christ.)
My kid was in school so there is no way they did this many text messages. (Um, do you watch the news? Some schools are trying to ban cell phones because this is a problem.)
We know they did it because we have the record of it. Deep down inside you know it to be true and now you know that we know that you know they really did it. Well, now you can control it. Feel free to view the various links included in this article to read more and learn how you can take control when they don’t think you have control.
Topics: Smart Limits, cell phone downloads, cell phone overage, parental controls, text messaging |
September 6th, 2007 at 7:09 am
So they’re finally using a technology that’s been around since cell phones to give the customers something they want? Why didn’t they do this sooner? Oh yeah, because kids were RACKING UP HUGE BILLS that parents had to pay! And now AT&T is playing the good guy by coming to our rescue with this new service…and it’s only going to cost $4.99 per month…per line. I guess I’m just cynical. Maybe parents should teach their children (and/or themselves) to be more responsible? Perhaps it serves them right that they have to spend an extra $4.99 a month because their ten year old can’t be trusted to not text his friends 1000 times a day or download dozens of games?
September 6th, 2007 at 11:42 am
But to many families out there, $4.99 is going to be cheaper than the $500 that I’ve seen because their little twelve year old princess can’t get off the phone.
September 7th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Jeff-Great article, funny and also very insightful! We just have had the worst time with cell phones. We live in Jefferson City Missouri and have had sprint cell service since the beginning of time. So what we found when we went to switch was that we couldn’t beat our plan for the price ANYWHERE else. It was just nuts, it turned out that it was cheaper to stay with Sprint because we had so many minutes for the $59.99 or whatever it is! The service is fine in Missouri and ok in MOST major cities, but rural, forget about it. If my car ever breaks down in the middle of no where, or a rural area, I will be screwed! The rural coverage is terrible! I have heard GREAT things about AT&T. Take care Jeff great post!
September 8th, 2007 at 1:17 am
As always, thanks for taking the time to add your comments.