Control your child's cellphone use with Bemilo
How would you want to:
- Schedule when your child can use her cellphone
- Block contacts or callers
- Read text messages – even deleted ones
- Put a cap on monthly mobile expenses
- Disallow picture and video messages
- Have access to these features through your computer or mobile phone
Why would you want to do this?
- To prevent your child from using her phone while in class or late at night
- To prevent unwanted calls
- To prevent bullies for texting your child
- To control monthly cellphone expenses
- To prevent inappropriate pictures and videos from being accessed
- Ease and convenience
If this is something you want, and you’re based in the UK, Bemilo is for you.
What is it? It’s a sim card that you pay for monthly which gives you full control over your child’s mobile use.
Not from the UK? Don’t go…
I know most of you are located outside the UK, but it doesn’t mean this service won’t impact you. Who knows? Perhaps in a year or two it will be available in other countries.
An important question is… do you think this service okay to use?
Sure it’s great to set a cap on mobile use and spending, as well as preventing access to inappropriate websites. The ability to block any contact is great too especially if you’re in a situation wherein you want to control who your child communicates with, for safety concerns.
What I can’t get over, though, is being able to access text messages.
While The Verge says here that the service is focused on preventing sexting and bullying, it feels like it’s a complete invasion of privacy. The question that keeps popping in my head is: Is this the new way of reading your child’s diary?
Question: Would you use this if it became available in your country?
Don’t keep the answer to yourself; please hit the comment button.
About Anne Mercado
I am unsure what I will do when my kids are teens, or even young kids, but for now I use “Zoodles” Its very great for young kids. And they can’t get into parts of my phone I don’t want them to. Like call my mom at 6 am. haha THAT did happen once.
I also let my oldest watch Netflix on his own. But I monitor what he watches on my comp. (I also have netflix set to G only shows) but some shows aren’t so great to me, so I just tell him not to watch them. He actually doesn’t watch them then. Course that took a little work to get to THAT point.
I use Zoodles sometimes too. Wait, how do you set security measures on your phone? Through Zoodles?!?
You can put all the apps you have on your phone that would allow your child to play with onto zoodles (you would do this through you phone). Set it to child lock, and they will only be able to stay on zoodles.
How to take a vacation on budget
Hmmm, I’ll have to play around with zoodles then
We pay for our kids’ cell phones and told them BEFORE they ever got them that cell phone use is a privilege not a right. We explained that if we ever think there’s an issue, we CAN and WILL search their phones. I have great kids… but sometimes, texting at 2:00 a.m. is uncool. Like on a school night. I have teen boys… their word — especially as shared with girls — matters. Yes, we check phones when warranted. We have suspended service for misuse of the phones. It’s our responsibility to teach them right from wrong, even in today’s market. Texting and diaries are NOT the same thing! Texting involves others. Every time!
Paid in full
Twitter: karen_dawkins
Thanks for clearing up that diaries and texting are different. It totally makes sense that the latter involves other people and that can sometimes be dangerous.
Anne… my daughter (5) is just getting into answering my cell… I dread the day I have to get her one!
Day 356 ~ "Marriage"
Twitter: cali_gal63
I dread it too. I actually didn’t have a cellphone until I was done with highschool so I’m thinking that it might be a good age to give my kiddo (who is 5 now) a phone. He’s going to hate me for the rules I’ll be laying down! I just know it.
That is neat but at the same point terribly invasive… my thoughts are really mixed on this one. I love it for the restricted use, but the texting can be an issue. Though it can also be a big help on keeping tabs on a wayward child who keeps getting into trouble
Wordless Wednesday ~~~~ Macro
That may be the exception – if you suspect your child is in trouble, you can check emails, but other than that, I wouldn’t.
I have learned something, non of our kids have cell phones yet, in our house its 16, because its too much stuff going on with cell phones involved, and my boys ride the bus to school, they cant bring cell phons to school, they dont have a PT job, they dont drive so they dont need one yet, but Jeremiah will be getting on next year, so when that happens we will sit him down and give him the rules, dont think we need to monitor in that way, unless he disregards our rules. Thanks so much for sharing Anne
Nutella Creations
Before you know it, next year has arrived and you’ll need to have that talk! I wish you the best of luck
I think I would simply not let Samantha have a phone until she is old enough to be trusted with privacy. Even then, it will probably be just a prepaid phone to call us with (unless she is paying for it). No idea if I will use the software or not – it will be a while before she gets a phone.
Twitter: yourchildsfood
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Claire. I would totally use the service for the restriction function. Would love to have Bemilo extend services to other countries.
I would definitely like to be able to read those deleted messages but then again I guess that’s where trust comes in. Too bad I live in the US.
Twitter: shanmilholland
I’ll be honest too that I would probably want to read my son’s text messages in the future buuuut, I wouldn’t feel right doing it – unless he’s in some sort of trouble, of course. Which I hope never happens.
This is great. I think mine are the only preteens in the area without cell phones. We have a pre-paid “emergency” phone we give them when they are going somewhere and need it. But we might put them on a plan soon as they are getting older. Really love these ideas and sharing this across my networks because I know others will benefit.
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Hi Lisa! Thank you sooo much for sharing this with your network. I’m guessing you’re from the UK?
Nope. I’m in the US.
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I have lots of UK friends and followers though.
Video Games Can Actually Be Good for People
Ahhh, I thought for a second you’re based in the UK. Bemilo is making quite a debut since there are a few more articles about them online.
Ugh. Reading this and the comments has just made me long to get those diaper years back. I didn’t know how good I had it.
Barehanded Bravery
Twitter: 2loonsandabook
Haha I know what you mean! It’s nice to see you back here again, Pam!
How have you been?
Hi Anne. I’m going great, thank you. I need to come by here more often. Your site is so wonderful.
Barehanded Bravery
Twitter: 2loonsandabook
It’s nice to have you back here, Pam! Would love nothing more than to have you visit often. If you’d like me to deliver weekly updates of posts for your convenience, you may sign-up for the mailing list. But only if you want, of course.
We’re in Canada and had something similar launch here some years ago called Firefly. It didn’t go over so well but I think if marketed correctly, this could be an amazing tool for parents…particularly of teens.
Leftie
Twitter: avagracescloset
While I do have mixed feelings about the service, I do recognize its value, especially for parents who are in need of such a service. Hopefully Bemilo is marketed well to help other parents.
I like those, but I’m just a tad creeped out. HOWEVER! I do totally read my kids text messages on line…we have access to EVERYTHING! And they don’t know it!
I Want A Turkey/Mustard Sandwich, A Coca Cola And A Smile…Debbie
Twitter: http://sharon-moms-madhouse.com/
Sharon, what application do you use to do that? (And I hope your kids don’t find this anytime soon, haha)
I think communication plays an important role in parenting nowadays. Cellular phone usage should be kept at a minimum or not use it at all.
I suppose you’ll never know whether your kids use their phones during the times they aren’t supposed to or not.. Can see why Bemilo would be a great service to limit use.
I’m a mom to 5, and LOVE that parents (at least in the UK) have this option available to them. I’ll state this simply: some kids need more monitoring & guidance than others. It’s not said to be mean, or to discriminate against any of my own children. However, there are definitely times in my own childhood, when a little more help from my parents would have been appropriate.
I think this service offers something to parents IF/WHEN it’s needed, and is a great idea!
The Garden. Year 2.
Twitter: acountryishmom
All kids are different so I agree with what you said.
Welcome to Green Eggs & Moms, Cathy! Hope to see you more around here, and have a good weekend!
My son just got a cell phone, he is 11. I broke down after his bus driver got so sick he couldn’t drive. One kid had a cell phone and called his mom. She called the school and they got all the kids home safe. I was starting to worry when my son was running late. When he got home and told me about a friend calling his mom, I knew my son needed to have that convenience if he was in a situation like that again.
Oh wow, what a story. Glad the kids got home safe, and yes, the phone is great for emergencies.
Having had 6 kids in their teens, I would have definitely used a service like this. Parents should keep up with their kids and know where they are, what they are doing and who they are doing it with. Times are just too dangerous and their are too many bad people out there who would hurt or take advantage of our kids. I don’t think we need to police our kids but always be aware. My kids had to give me their passwords to any social media. And you know what, I only ever cked them a couple of times, but in their minds, they never knew when I would be checking!
~Erin
An Intentional Radical Life
Twitter: ErinPatrick
You know, having their social media passwords is a great way for them to be mindful of what they’ll be posting. That way, 20 years from now, they won’t be embarrassed by anything they posted.
Wow! I’m sure that in 10 years or so when my kids get old enough I will want one. I hope to be know what’s going on in their lives enough to know whether I need to invade their privacy or if I have to intervene either to defend them or to rein them in. I agree with the commenter who said that texting does not equal a diary. Although, with diaries, which should be private, hindsight is 20-20 as in troubled teens who wind up harming themselves or others. Makes me appreciate being able to run over and make sure everything’s okay at the playground!
So a Parent Walks Into a School…
Twitter: momsnewstage
Agree that things are much easier when kids are young. So I’m in no hurry to have my kiddo grow up.
This is a fabulous app. I think in today’s permissive “privacy” society keeping the reigns on your child is the ONLY way to ensure they are safe and sane!
Ditch the Can. Make Your Own V8 Juice
Twitter: cleansediva
It really depends on the child. Like someone said in a previous comment, some kids need more guidance than others. By the way, thanks for hitting the G+ button!
This sounds like an interesting app, but to me reading your child’s text messaqes is sort of like reading their diary. Of course, my girls are older now, and I trust them. THey did get their first cell phone at 13, but there was no text or mobile on it. It was strictly for calling.
Stopping by from VoiceBoks!
A cellphone for just calling is a great strategy.. Purely for emergencies. Thanks for stopping by here, Laura.
Oh my goodness, I totally dread the day I have to give my children their own cell phone. Both of my girls regularly play games on my phone and listen to music on it as well. My 7yr old has her own email account, but not her own computer, so getting online is a matter of booting me off the computer first…and well…I’m a busy blogging mama. She does get some time though. However I monitor all emails for safety and I just set my Google search settings to a strict setting to help avoid inappropriate sites or photos showing up when my daughter decides to do a Google search to learn about Mermaids or Cheerleading. I’m just not ready for my kiddos to grow up. Can’t they stay too young for technology forever? Lol!
Getting To Know Your Spouse (Again…)
Twitter: ChrstianSuprMom
She googles mermaids? How adorable!! Rosann, my son has started reading by himself, so I guess typing is next on the list of things to teach him. I don’t even know how to fix my google settings to keep anyone from accessing inappropriate photos and videos, but will have to do that soon.
Unfortunately they can’t stay young forever – neither can we haha