EE to launch phone plans which restrict internet for teens
The mobile network operator, which has 25m customers, says it is the UK's first major network to introduce smartphone plans for under-18s.Firms operating mobile networks in the UK are already required by the regulator Ofcom to ensure only adults can access adult content while using their network.They do this by filtering and blocking access to websites deemed 18+ according to the British Board of Film Classification.This can mean attempting to visit a platform such as a porn site using a 4G or 5G connection, rather than wi-fi, can result in the page not displaying.Users are typically required to verify that they are an adult - and the account holder - through a credit card check or by logging into their account online to change their settings.
What are the plans?
Despite EE's content restrictions not applying to content viewed using wi-fi, the firm believes its new plans still provide teen smartphone users and parents with more protections.Its Sim-only plans will be available for use on all smartphones and start from £7 per month, when launched in August.EE's three tiers offer different levels of protections depending on the age of the user, with its "protected" plan for pre-teens having "strict" controls while its "guided" and "trusted" plans for older teens having "moderate" controls for web access.Each of the plans also has protections against receiving scam calls."As the UK's best network for families, we understand that while smartphones offer many benefits to people, there are also very real risks and challenges, especially for young people," said Claire Gillies, head of the consumer division of BT, which owns EE."As a parent of a teenager, I too have had to balance the benefits and challenges that come with giving our children their first smartphone."
In-store chats
As well as its different plans for children, EE is offering in-store appointments for families to receive guidance about using smartphones safely.It will also launch a resource it says can help parents navigate conversations with children about owning a phone."Many parents tell us that they are overwhelmed when it comes to online safety for their children, and don't know where to start," said Carolyn Bunting MBE, head of children's safety charity Internet Matters.She said they were "positive steps to support families" and told the BBC the plans could be more effective than banning teens from platforms altogether."If we just ban kids there is no impetus for the tech companies to create safe spaces," she Ms Bunting.It comes after a range of sites operating in the UK were required to start checking the age of users on Friday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Express
17 minutes ago
- Auto Express
Cheap electric cars are more appealing than ever
We had a fascinating day recently, driving half a dozen of the cheapest electric cars around and covering plenty of miles to see how far these baby EVs can go on a charge in the real world. The six were split into distinct groups. The two most affordable cars feel very obviously cheap inside. I don't think I'd want to cover big miles in the Leapmotor T03 or Dacia Spring, but they are capable, low-cost options for an urban runaround second car that'll cost pennies to run. Advertisement - Article continues below When I checked Auto Express's marketplace, you could get a Spring for under £11,500, or £143 a month, or the Leapmotor T03 for less than £14,500. I'm not sure either will emerge from the Government's Electric Car Grant chaos with anything more off, but that still puts them among the cheapest cars you can buy. The other four cars feel notably more grown up and complete. The BYD Dolphin Surf, Fiat Grande Panda, Hyundai Inster and Renault 5 are all compelling options that, if you can charge at home and don't frequently cover big distances, have plenty of appeal. The Panda and 5 in particular have bags of character, whereas the Inster is a different, more sensible car that prioritises impressive cabin space (a well documented weakness of the Renault) over style. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below A big criticism of electric cars has long been that they are not affordable enough to encourage people to make the switch. But setting aside the new Electric Car Grant, we now have a whole spectrum of sensibly priced EVs. Panda apart – it's so new, we had to borrow a left-hand-drive car for our test – any of these models can be had for under £250 a month on lease, depending on size of deposit. Low prices don't mean there's no discount for buying outright, either – unless you want the 5, because right now Renault is selling every car it can get its hands on. In the Auto Express marketplace, the average saving on a new BYD Dolphin Surf is £1,300-plus, more than £2,000 on a T03, and over £3,000 on the others, so there are some hugely enticing deals around. But the key thing is that these aren't for glorified milk floats. With home charging, you can do all the urban running around you like, in a well equipped, stylish and perky performer, for not much more up front – and a load less on fuel – than with the equivalent petrol supermini. Fancy a low-cost EV on your driveway? Our Find a Car service has thousands of new, used and leasing deals to choose from... Find a car with the experts Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Korean brand acts swiftly to cut prices on all its electric cars, amid confusion over Government's grant scheme New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k Citroen's revamped flagship C5 Aircross SUV is available to order now with hybrid or electric power Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price The 'car with no rear window' is looking seriously cheap on lease right now. It's our Deal of the Day for July 28
BBC News
18 minutes ago
- BBC News
BBC Sport secures multi-year rights deal to The AIG Women's Open
BBC Sport has signed a new multi-year agreement with The R&A, securing broadcast rights for The AIG Women's Open from 2025 to 2027. The deal guarantees free-to-air access for UK audiences, with coverage spanning radio commentary and coverage on Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, digital clips across the BBC Sport website, app, and social media platforms as well as TV highlights on BBC Two and iPlayer. The 2025 championship begins on Thursday 31 July at Royal Porthcawl, where BBC Sounds will provide full uninterrupted commentary from the first tee shot to the final putt on Sunday evening. Golf correspondent Iain Carter leads the commentary which can also be followed through the live pages of the BBC Sport website/app. Digital highlights will be available on the BBC Sport website/app and the BBC's social platforms. The TV highlights, presented by Sarah Mulkerrins, will showcase the best of the championship each day on BBC Two and iPlayer. Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport says, 'This deal is another great addition to BBC Sport's portfolio of women's sport. The Women's Open is a standout event in the golfing calendar, and we're bringing the action direct to audiences with coverage across TV, 5 Live and the BBC Sport website/app and socials. It's a chance to showcase not just a world-class competition, but the players and stories that make this event so compelling.' Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, 'Millions of viewers will be able to enjoy the BBC's excellent coverage of the AIG Women's Open and watch and listen to the world's best women's players in action. We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with the BBC and to be working with them to promote women's golf to a wider audience.' The announcement follows last week's news that BBC Sport has also secured rights to broadcast The Open, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to showcasing the very best of golf to UK audiences. BBC Sport's summer of women's sport has been bigger than ever, featuring the Women's Rugby World Cup, UEFA Women's Euro 2025, Wimbledon, The Hundred, international women's cricket highlights, the World Athletics Championships. BBC Sounds (Sports Extra 3) Schedule: Thursday 31 July – 7am-7pm Friday 1 August – 7am-7pm Saturday 2 August – 11am-close of play Sunday 3 August – 11am-close of play CF Follow For More
BBC News
18 minutes ago
- BBC News
Cambridge driverless bus trial given £1m extra funding boost
An extra £1m has been secured to expand the operations of a city's driverless bus trial. launched in Cambridge in June and so far nearly 200 passengers have taken up the free travel. Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has received the extra funds from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles to extend trials of its 'Connector' project. Brian Milnes, chair of GCP's executive board, said the aim was to "make our public transport network more efficient, more inclusive, and better connected". "Securing this additional funding is a major vote of confidence in the work we're doing to shape the future of transport in Greater Cambridge," he added."We're not just trialling new vehicles, we're building the evidence base for a smarter, greener transport system that works for everyone." The current driverless bus trial runs from Madingley Road Park & Ride around the University of Cambridge's Eddington neighbourhood and into the Cambridge West Innovation offers four 18-minute loop services, which run in the mornings and afternoons, Monday to Friday, and has covered more than 700 miles (1,126km) so far, according to the also plans to trial self-driving passenger transport at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The additional investment means the trials will continue until at least next March. It will also fund an accessibility and inclusivity study to ensure the service meets the needs of all people, including disabled and older residents and parents of young children. The project is part of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles' CAM Pathfinder Programme and has been funded by the has so far cost £7.8m, of which £5.3m is a government grant and this includes the latest £1m. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
