Verizon 'Usage Controls' sure to miff teens

Verizon Wireless

By Suzanne Choney

You'll know who Verizon's new "Usage Controls" program is geared to the moment you click on the video (below): Parents frustrated with their kids going over data limits, buying the equivalent of a semester's tuition in ringtones and games, and the all-time favorite, texting late at night "when they should be sleeping."

Usage Controls costs $4.99 a month per line. While it seems like a steep add-on, it may well be worth it for frazzled parental units trying to get a better handle on what their kids are doing before they do it ? at least when it comes to their phones.

Here are some of the program's features:

• Parents can set a megabyte allowance for data usage for activities such as Web surfing, accessing social networking sites and listening to Internet radio.
• Limits on purchases and downloads, including games, ringtones and videos, can be set.
• Once limits are reached for data allowances, or even voice minutes, parents can allow additional calls and data to go through. When the limits are reached, both parents and the person on the usage-controlled line will receive either an email or free text message alert.
• You can restrict the time of day or day of the week that the phone can be used for talking, sending or receiving text messages, or accessing and downloading data. "No more texting, talking or going on social networking sites when at school ... during study time ... or when they should be tucked away for the night," says Verizon's ad.
• Parents can block up to 20 contacts, including toll-free, private and restricted numbers. Parents can also create a list of up to 20 "trusted" contacts, including family members, who will "always" be able to reach the child.
• Perhaps most importantly, if a child makes a 911 call, a parent will be informed immediately with a text message.

You can learn more about Usage Controls here.

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Source: http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/08/10352780-verizon-usage-controls-put-parents-more-in-charge

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