U.S. Cellular Introduces Family Protector Mobile App

BY Editor

U.S. Cellular Introduces Family Protector Mobile App – Jun 06, 2013– Chicago, USA  (Techreleased) – A recent survey¹ conducted by U.S. Cellular found that nearly half of their customers say their biggest cell phone concern is access or exposure to questionable content. To deliver peace of mind to these customers, U.S. Cellular is offering its new Family Protector app to help users monitor device usage.

Families are already relying on technology in their daily lives and U.S. Cellular is providing tools, such as the Family Protector app, to help people use this technology to enjoy Better Moments with family. Parents see great value in giving their children their first cell phone. In fact, 85 percent of parents say being prepared for emergency communications is a deciding factor to purchase a phone.

“Whether at home or on-the-go, families are using mobile devices to make their lives easier, more efficient and meaningful,” said Joe Settimi, vice president of products, pricing and innovation for U.S. Cellular. “However, parents can’t always be looking over their kids’ shoulders to monitor their smartphone usage. This way, parents can lay the ground rules and Family Protector can enforce them.”

U.S. Cellular’s customer survey found that 56 percent of parents say their child’s involvement in after-school activities is a deciding factor to purchase a phone for their child. To make sure that children aren’t using their phone during the school day, parents can use the Family Protector app’s Time Restrictions function to disable usage during school hours but re-enable it to coordinate after-school pick-up.

Time Restrictions is just one of many key parental control features available on the Family Protector app. Highlights include:

• Content Filters. A filter that helps parents determine what content, games, videos, apps, and websites are suitable and age-appropriate for their children to view and share on their smartphone.
• Controlled Communication. Parents can also monitor the overall communications content on smartphones – such as text messages, contact lists, photos, and call history. Access to the child’s contact list allows parents to designate trusted contacts and blacklist others.
• Location Features. A location feature allows a parent to find a child’s lost phone or monitor their child’s whereabouts. It also includes a child check-in feature.
• Secured Controls. Parents access the Family Protector dashboard through a convenient and easy-to-use website, where they can set controls and monitor their child’s smartphone usage. To make changes to the control settings, a password is required. And if a child turns off their smartphone, the parent will be notified.

U.S. Cellular’s Family Protector is available for $9.99 per line per month with a 30 day free trial.

¹Between April 1-5, 2013, a total of 527 online interviews were conducted among U.S. Cellular post-paid customers by Consumer Insights, in partnership with Directions Research Inc.