T-Mobile FamilyMode will let parents track kids in or out of the house
It is hard enough for a parent to keep track of what their children do on their phones at home, but it becomes even more difficult when they leave or use a different device.
On Monday, T-Mobile announced its FamilyMode service. FamilyMode works in two ways: it gives parents control over what their children do online with mobile data inside or outside the home, and allows them to control Wi-Fi-connected devices for children such as phones, tablets, laptops, consoles of games and smart Televisions.
The service costs $ 20 in advance and then $ 10 per month. That includes the Wi-Fi home device that monitors all types of devices connected to the Internet (it is located between your router and common devices) and the FamilyMode application that allows you to control the use of the Internet.
PCMag reports that FamilyMode is a rebranding of Circle with Disney, a feature that can also be found on some Netgear Orbi and Nighthawk routers, but Circle only works on your home network.
Some things you can do with the FamilyMode application, according to T-Mobile:
Set daily internet limits in certain applications or platforms
Choose which applications, platforms and sites your children can access on their phones or tablets
Pause and resume access to mobile internet
Filter inappropriate content
Reward children with additional screen time
See what sites and applications your children use
Track the location of your children
FamilyMode will be available as of June 29.
Other providers (such as Verizon) offer similar parental control services. T-Mobile created a chart to show how its service compares to others (see below), which could be useful, although the company is naturally a bit biased.
