Pay as you Go - Limit calls + texts to a select group of numbers

[chris_uk]

Hi,

 

I've been asked to set up an old iphone for a friends daughter. One request is that the phone can only text & ring a group of 5 numbers. Does anybody know if this is possible to do?

 

Thanks

 

Chris

[elsiegee40]

I have no idea if it's posiible, sorry. However, it seems a little pointless if said iphone will have the ability to connect to web services either through mobile data, or wifi, or both. You have more chance with a cheapy basic phone.

[chris_uk]

yes, unfortunately (or fortunately) it is not my child who is getting the device. It is the usual "My husband works in IT, he can help" comment from my wife. It is also not something I've come up against before. I do know that problems in the past dictates this requirements.

[elsiegee40]

In which case, a discussion needs to be had. This is a Safeguarding timebomb. A child with issues is to be given a phone with the potential to contact anyone, anywhere in the world. I could not bring myself to pretend to the parents that having blocked access to all but 5 numbers that the phone was safe for a vulnerable individual to use.

 

Your answer is simple. Due to the data capabilities of the phone it is not possible to restrict access to just 5 numbers.

 

Would you do it with your own child if they were as vulnerable? Or a vulnerable child in your school? I suspect that you would be explaining the risks and refusing... you need to do the same here.

Edited December 23, 2014 by elsiegee40

[StevieM]

There'll be whitelisting apps that can limit the incoming calls to specific numbers, but whether the same would apply to outgoing calls is another matter. I assume the phone is intended to be used only to phone family members. If in the past they've spent all their credit (or run up a huge bill on a contract phone!), I would suggest giving her an old brick so she wouldn't want to get it out in front of her mates.

[rad]

But with apps like Skype, FaceTime, what's app, facebook and others surely this will be pointless.

 

If they want this set up then there is no point having a phone. I recall this being possible on old brick nokia so but not with new phones.

 

This would be a setup with the phone carrier but what happens if said daughter can't ring parent and needs to ring AN OtherFriend for help etc

[IrritableTech]

Our daughter has an iPhone, but doesn't have an iTunes account. Any apps are put on there by us.

 

There doesn't seem to have been any suggestion why the girl can only contact five people, the girls age or any further info. Phones are not inherently bad!

 

The most important thing here are some simple, but reasonable ground rules with the device, and a long conversation about the reasons for the rules.

 

You can set rules on which apps can be run without a parental pin. So you can stop access to safari for instance - as well as pretty much everything else.

 

Trust will go a long way, and when the rules are pushed a little, new rules or sanctions can be set in place.

[elsiegee40]

Even without the ability to add apps, there is still the ability to use the browser which cannot be removed.

 

The phone isn't bad. The idea that it can only be used to contact restricted number of people is.

[IrritableTech]

See what you are saying about the idea, but I've found a bit of trust and an open conversation can go a long way.

 

You can restrict apps like safari as I explained in my earlier post.

 

Edited December 23, 2014 by IrritableTech

[elsiegee40]

I agree in most cases. However, some vulnerable people are not suited to reasoned explanation. The fact that such severe restrictions are required suggests that this girl is perhaps in that camp.