The service comes with an app and a physical device for monitoring online activity.
Business Wire/T-MobileIt's hard enough for a parent to keep track of what their kids do on their phones in the house, but it gets even harder 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 kids do online with cellular data in or out of the house, and it lets them controls kids' Wi-Fi-connected devices like phones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, and Smart TVs.
The service costs $20 upfront and then $10 per month. That includes the home Wi-Fi device that monitors all sorts of internet-connected devices (it sits between your regular router and devices) and the FamilyMode app that lets you control internet usage.
PCMag reports that FamilyMode is a rebrand of Circle with Disney, a feature you can also find on some Netgear Orbi and Nighthawk routers -- but Circle only works on your home network.
Some things you can do with the FamilyMode app, according to T-Mobile:
- Set daily internet limits on certain apps or platforms
- Choose what apps, platforms and sites your kids can access on their phones or tablets
- Pause and resume mobile internet access
- Filter inappropriate content
- Reward kids with bonus screen time
- See which sites and apps your kids use
- Track your kids' location
FamilyMode will be available starting June 29.
Other carriers (like Verizon) offer similar parental control services. T-Mobile created a chart to show how its service compares to the others (see below) which might be handy, though the company's naturally a little biased.
Which family control plan is right for you?
Business Wire/T-Mobile
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