[REQUEST] App that turns a smartphone (android)

[urcomputech]

Is there an app that allows a parent to restrict a minor's smartphone to only making or receiving phone calls and SMS during school hours? This is a question from a client, not sure I have seen an app a 12 year couldn't easily find a way around it. Does anybody else have any ideas?

 

[britechguy]

I suggest you, and your client, read this article before proceeding further: Parental Controls: Safer Internet Solutions or New Pitfalls?
It's published under the auspices of the IEEE and brings up a number of considerations that many are not aware of. It's also very recent, so the information is not "years old."

I get what they are trying to do, and why, but ultimately the attempted cure is worse than the "disease." And you're quite correct that most kids, by the time they reach very early adolescence, can get around these sorts of apps with ease.

 

[urcomputech]

I suggest you, and your client, read this article before proceeding further: Parental Controls: Safer Internet Solutions or New Pitfalls?
It's published under the auspices of the IEEE and brings up a number of considerations that many are not aware of. It's also very recent, so the information is not "years old."

I get what they are trying to do, and why, but ultimately the attempted cure is worse than the "disease." And you're quite correct that most kids, by the time they reach very early adolescence, can get around these sorts of apps with ease.

Thank you for your reply britechguy and for the link. I did find it very interesting. I'll pass it on.

 

[Porthos]

a parent to restrict a minor's smartphone to only making or receiving phone calls and SMS during school hours?

Better to just take the phone away when they come home from school.

 

[britechguy]

Better to just take the phone away when they come home from school.

Not that this isn't a good idea, anyway, but it doesn't solve the problem of them using it for "play time" during the school day, which is what I kinda think is the point.

For young children, there are smartwatches that serve as nothing but a phone where they can answer calls from select numbers and place outgoing calls only to select numbers as well (they can also be used to GPS track). But by the time you're dealing with a teen, you either have them "trained and trustworthy" (to the extent that any one of us could be trustworthy as a teen) or you don't. And if your teen is determined to do something, they are going to do it, particularly when you are not around.

The technologies have changed, but the basic issue has not for as long as adolescents have existed. Part of that period is virtually always (there are exceptions, my sister and myself were two of those, my brother was not) includes a significant "let's see what I can get away with" element. And, very often, the tighter the clamping down the more numerous and effective the escape routes become.

 

[Porthos]

Not that this isn't a good idea, anyway, but it doesn't solve the problem of them using it for "play time" during the school day, which is what I kinda think is the point.

Just went by what the OP posted.

Is there an app that allows a parent to restrict a minor's smartphone to only making or receiving phone calls and SMS during school hours?

Though I believe phones are a disruption in the classroom and are abused.

 

[britechguy]

Just went by what the OP posted.

As did I, and I quote: Is there an app that allows a parent to restrict a minor's smartphone to only making or receiving phone calls and SMS during school hours?

 

[Blues]

Remote devices are the big problem I see right now as you do need some type of software but reading that report software is garbage at least on Android not sure about the iOS platform. We don't let our take his phone to school but he is also too young to drive so there isn't really a need for him to have one at school. If they are old enough to drive then I think the problem is one that parenting and disciple should solve not software.

 

[britechguy]

so there isn't really a need for him to have one at school.

Not that I don't agree with you, because I do, but many parents (not unlike many employers) have come to expect 24/7 access to their children.

Think of all the incidents where emergencies have occurred at school and kids inside have been able to call out to report same and/or let their parents know they're OK. I know a lot of people these days, and not just in regard to their children, who get nervous as hell if someone doesn't answer their phone or respond to a text in a very, very short period of time.

I'm still very old school on both sides of the phone equation, whether making a call/sending a text or being the recipient. Unless there is an inordinate amount of time between communication attempt and response, I don't get worried.

 

[Blues]

It also depends on your area I guess for me there just isn't the need and we also drop off and pick him up vs ridding the buss or carpooling with others.

 

[britechguy]

It also depends on your area

You know, I used to think this, and still do at least to some extent, but not nearly as I once did, and particularly when it comes to gun violence in schools and other public places.

I live just south of Bridgewater, VA, and anyone who's been watching the news over the last week knows what just happened there (if you don't just do a web search on Bridgewater College shooting). I live in an area where anyone and everyone believed, up until it did, "this can't happen here."

A number of places where this is happening definitely would have fallen into "this can't happen here" locations until the last several years. There are no locations now that are as close to "completely safe" as there once were.

 

[xrobwx71]

I use Google Family. It does everything you stated and more.

 

[Blues]

I get what you mean and for me it isn't the "Can't happen hear" mentality it is that when looking at all the things there is not sufficient reason to allow him to have it at school and too much risk with him having it there.

 

[MudRock]

I use Google Family. It does everything you stated and more.

Unless they've changed it, it turns off the day the child turns 13 with no options to leave on.

 

[xrobwx71]

Unless they've changed it, it turns off the day the child turns 13 with no options to leave on.

It doesn't turn off automatically but gives them the option of converting to a regular Google account.

 

[MudRock]

It doesn't turn off automatically but gives them the option of converting to a regular Google account.

Okay so that's changed then. But I would double check, because from reading now, the option of converting to a regular Google account is available via the child (Edit: As well as the parent), and doesn't notify the parent it has occurred, and no way to go back to a child account.

 

[urcomputech]

Better to just take the phone away when they come home from school.

I didn't explain it well enough, but the parent's objective is to keep the phone from being a distraction while in school. Fully functional at home, barebones functionality at school, for emergency purposes. Thank you for the reply Porthos.

 

[urcomputech]

It also depends on your area I guess for me there just isn't the need and we also drop off and pick him up vs ridding the buss or carpooling with others.

I live in the Los Angeles area and every kid in grade school seems to have a smartphone with them. It's a major distraction in class and teachers are not allowed to touch the kid's "personal properties". My kids go to private school, and we have specifically told the teacher to take our kid's phones away if they ever take them out of their backpacks during class time. No questions asked of the teacher. I'm pretty sure, public schools are different.

 

[urcomputech]

You know, I used to think this, and still do at least to some extent, but not nearly as I once did, and particularly when it comes to gun violence in schools and other public places.

I live just south of Bridgewater, VA, and anyone who's been watching the news over the last week knows what just happened there (if you don't just do a web search on Bridgewater College shooting). I live in an area where anyone and everyone believed, up until it did, "this can't happen here."

A number of places where this is happening definitely would have fallen into "this can't happen here" locations until the last several years. There are no locations now that are as close to "completely safe" as there once were.

Exactly this. My kids carry smartphones, and it has proven to be very helpful in communicating when plans change, when they want to stay after school to watch a school game with friends, to ask whether a friend can come over after school, knock on wood, we haven't had any emergencies but that is the first reason we want to have a phone with them. Of course we do not expect them to use the phone ever during class time, etc.

 

[urcomputech]

I use Google Family. It does everything you stated and more.

Thank you xrobwx71, i'll definitely look into Gjoogle family.