Latest news with #parentalcontrol
The Sun
18-07-2025
- The Sun
New kids-only iPhone launches that's perfect for worried parents – it has NO social media & all internet apps blocked
A SPECIAL iPhone designed to stop kids from downloading social media apps and accessing an internet browser has been launched in the UK. Sage Mobile has modified the popular Apple device to tightly restrict the apps and services a child can access for the parents' peace of mind. 1 Only pre-vetted apps deemed safe for children can be used on the handset. And "sketchy workarounds" such as VPNs and backdoors are blocked too, the company claims. By default, the service has no social media, internet browser, or app store access. The Sage software is part of a subscription bundle, which provides buyers with an iPhone 16e or iPhone 16 Pro with the added protections. "We didn't want to build a 'parental control' phone,' explained Chris Kaspar, CEO of Techless, the company behind Sage Mobile. "We wanted to build a device that's safe by design, not safe by surveillance. "With Sage, we've created a smartphone that helps people reconnect with real life, not just reduce screen time." But it doesn't come cheap, starting from £119 a month. And not everyone is convinced it's a good idea. Professor Sonia Livingstone, a Social Psychologist at LSE says the price tag is "beyond the means of most parents, so if it does bring benefits, they can only be at the cost of increased social inequalities". "More importantly, it is hard to see how this phone will solve the problem," she told ITV News. "Research shows that young people gain many benefits from both social media and web browsing, though of course efforts to prevent the risks are important. "Research shows that only a minority of young people have problematic internet use, and that many are learning the skills to become resilient and able to manage their own phone use in the future, which is also important." Techless first launched a version for the US market called Wisephone. The company claims it has sold out four times consecutively, "demonstrating the rising global demand for screen-safe smartphone solutions". It comes just days before new online safety law comes into effect forcing websites to make sweeping changes so adult and inappropriate content isn't easily accessible to children. A number of porn sites such as PornHub, as well as social platforms like Reddit, have started adding new stricter age checks. iPhone tricks to try today Here are some of the best... Typing cursor – When typing, hold down the space bar to turn your keyboard into a trackpad, letting you move around words and sentences more easily Close all Safari tabs – To do this in one go, simply hold the overlapped squares in the bottom right-hand corner, and press close all tabs Delete lots of photos quickly – Hold down on a photo and then drag your finger diagonally in Photos to select lots of images at once, then hit delete Convert currency quickly – Swipe down from the top of your Home screen (or swipe left to right on an iPhone X or later model), then tap in the bar and type a currency (like $200) and it will automatically covert to your local currency Check if you're due a battery upgrade – Batteries inside smartphones degrade over time. Just go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health, and check out the Maximum Capacity reading. Generally a battery is considered worn when you're down to 80% capacity. If you're below, you can buy a battery swap from Apple Move apps around faster – Hold an app until it starts wiggling, then (while still holding) tap other apps, causing them to stack so you can move them around easier
Phone Arena
11-07-2025
- Phone Arena
Hackers below 18 have extra difficulty cracking the parental control app, Verizon claims
Growing up with a screen in front of you could be really damaging to your life as a whole, many psychologists argue – and that's why carrier parental control apps are indispensable. Verizon's app offers an extra layer of security on the two major mobile operating systems, the carrier claims. Verizon Family Plus is "tamper-resistant" on Android and Apple phones and tablets: Android : Protections remain active even after a restart, thanks to secure background processes. With a PIN-based system, only you have the ability to modify the app. : Protections remain active even after a restart, thanks to secure background processes. With a PIN-based system, only you have the ability to modify the app. iOS : You'll receive an alert if your child attempts to disable any settings, eliminating the need for manual checks. Unlike many so-called advanced protection features, these tools run silently in the background without affecting battery life. But hardware and software limitations are just one part of the equation here. No app can prevent every possible workaround, but having reliable tools gives you more opportunities to connect with your child rather than constantly correcting them. Image by Verizon That's because even if the parental control app appears to be secure, kids nowadays find workarounds more often than not. As the Verizon blog piece points out, even seasoned tech professionals have admitted that their children have discovered ways to sidestep parental controls. Technology is complex, and kids are naturally curious, resourceful, and often a few steps ahead. Parents also need to talk with their children and explain why phones and tablets are not to be used 24/7 unrestricted. Instead of battling for control, focus on building communication. For kids, parental controls might seem unnecessary or excessive. But this isn't about locking down their phone – it's about creating a shared understanding that the rules are part of how technology is used in the might explain it by saying that having a phone is a responsibility, and part of that responsibility includes keeping the parental controls active. It isn't meant as a punishment – it's simply the way your family chooses to manage technology. The phone remains available as long as the controls remain in might still look for ways to bypass parental controls, and that's worth discussing as well. They may be curious about what happens if they delete the app, or they might feel they deserve more privacy. Sometimes, they're just bored and exploring the settings. When you receive an alert that the app has been disabled, it's a good chance to start a conversation. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Meta supports Alabama bill that would split apps into age categories
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, is speaking in favor of a bill in one Alabama House committee. 'We make them wear helmets. We make them do … everything. We protect them physically in all kinds of ways,' said state Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville. 'But when it comes to the internet and cell phones, we don't protect them at all, and this is what this is about.' That bill is about splitting apps into age categories for minor and requiring age verification for children who download them. That's from ages 13 and below all the way to 18 years old. 'Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their teen's age and grant permission for them to download apps in a privacy preserving way,' Meta said in a statement. But Justin Hill with NetChoice, an association advocating for free speech on the internet, argued that permission should start with education, not limitation. 'So we all agree on why, but we disagree on the how,' Hill said. 'NetChoice takes a position to protect the internet — also to be a place of free speech and free enterprise.' Judge denies city's request to stop Alabama from signing Birmingham Water Works Board bill, at least for now Hill said the bill takes parents out of the conversation. 'We won't see the results that we need to see, and I just need to remind you, many of our members, like Apple and Meta and Google, they are actively doing upgrades,' Hill said. If those members offer apps to minors without parental consent, the state could sue them under the bill. Melea Stephens, marriage and family therapist in Birmingham, said it's not about free speech. Children are exploited through some apps. Stephens is also a part of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. 'I work with local law enforcement on these cases, and they're very heartbreaking,' Stephens said. 'So that's one reason I'm so passionate about this measure because it would go a long way to changing the atmosphere of the digital landscape that our children are growing up in in Alabama.' The bill did not receive a vote in committee Tuesday. Lawmakers said they want to keep working together on the effort and figure out what is best for the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
