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Looking for advice on how to supply teenager with smart phone that has robust filters on for obvious reasons. Alternative is he gets a phone with no internet.
Is it possible to really lock down website access or is it to difficult as he is a smart cookie and can probably get round any filters.
ps the "grown up chat" about responsible use hasn't worked and I am fed up trying that route so looking for a hard wired option.
ps the "grown up chat" about responsible use hasn't worked and I am fed up trying that route so looking for a hard wired option.
No pudding.
I'd go for a non-data talk plan so he's forced to use wi-fi and then use the home router to filter web access.
Obviously he can try and hack a neighbours wi-fi or download stuff at a freinds but it gives you most control at home.
[edit] or they can only use the phone in the lounge and must leave it there.
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Problem solved, he'll never want to take it out of his pocket (the phone that is)
If they are tech savvy they're is always a way around it without going for a full Mobile Device Management solution, which you won't want to manage or pay for!
Use the networks filters, as it's better than nothing. And if possible restrict the networks that can be joined for WiFi so you can restrict at home.
If he has proven he can't be trusted, then get a dumb phone. You've spoken to him enough times by the sound of it, there are only so many chances you can give out.
Once he works out how hook up a VPN on a raspberry pi at a friends house, your control using the home router goes boom.
you can set up a separate "restrictions" passcode on an iPhone and block use of the normal web-browser. You can then download an alternative web browser with built-in filtering to use instead. The disadvantages of this are a) it would be shit/buggy compared to Safari and b) you'd have to disable the App Store as well otherwise he could just download an un-restricted browser. So he would have to go to you to download/install any apps he wanted to use. (actually you might not view b as a disadvantage at all).
Of course the above could be bypassed by Jailbreaking the phone, if he (or his mates) were that savvy.
As above, there're ways around ANY tech-based solution. If he just flat-out can't be trusted at the moment, maybe the "no pudding" solution is best!
the "grown up chat" about responsible use hasn't worked
Take it off him if he can't be trusted.
There are various security apps kicking about, but what real value they are I'm not sure. A website blocker probably isn't going to stop him sending cock shots on Snapchat / WhatsApp / a.n.other chat program you've never heard of. A voice-only plan and switching off your Wi-Fi at night might slow him down a bit though. Look into OpenDNS also.
But if he's tech-savvy then you're probably on a loser looking for technical solutions. The idea of my parents being able to lock me out of my own tech is frankly laughable, at best you're giving yourself a false sense of security. If I were your lad I'd say "sure, fill your boots" and then just factory reset it / stick a custom ROM on as soon as I was out of sight.
Punishment rather than accommodation would be my approach.
If you cant behave and be trusted, lose the privileges until you can prove you can be trusted.
OpenDNS is probably your best bet. All management is online. You will have to set up the phone to use their DNS servers (like directory services for the internet), so all traffic goes through them.
It's not as obvious as on-phone methods, so may be harder for them to circumvent easily.
If that doesn't work then loss of phone/supply of rubbish phone may be your only options.
ps the "grown up chat" about responsible use hasn't worked and I am fed up trying that route so looking for a hard wired option.
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No [s]pudding[/s] smartphone until he is ready to pay for it himself.
There is no such thing as an effective filter for any current smartphone. Teenagers will talk to each other and pass on details how to defeat any technical solution you put in place. You won’t even know…
If you’ve had the chat and it isn’t working then do as Cougar says and simply apply the only effective filter; the manual one - take it off him.
Rachel
take it off him so he needs to search the hedgerows for grot like in the olden days. Never did me any harm!
A tech solution will no doubt fail, and as said you've a false sense of security.
FWIW We've never restricted the use of phones or the internet, and my 3 sons seem fine.
[i]ps the "grown up chat" about responsible use hasn't worked and I am fed up trying that route so looking for a hard wired option. [/i]
Are we talking about use you disapprove of, or something illegal?
teenagers are generally more tech savvy than their parents IMO. Our 13 yr old would get round any filters, and if he got stuck his 9 yr old brother would sort him out 🙂
They both have older iphones, younger also an ipad mini and the older one a chromebook. We don't have any filters on at home as they could just go outside and download on 4G.....
We do have a curfew time in the evening, but that's it. With stuff like Instagram, they're going to see a load of stuff through their mates anyway..
If it's an iPhone and you have a Mac at home then you may be able to restrict things by using the server app and profiles but there's a good chance that he'll find a way to circumvent it.
Far easier to take away smartphone phone and supply basic £10 PAYG phone for emergency comms.
Don't most sim's come with a default adult content filter enabled. You have to opt-in with CC details to prove over 18.
scotabroad earlier!...
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😀
You block his phone - he'll only find another way. What is he like as a lad in general? - just looking at certain pics/vids doesn't mean he'll turn out like the Daily Mail say.
I've given up trying to manage my teenage daughters social media life - there are so many ways to communicate now, it would be a full time job for me.
Without wishing to be a pedant.... I think there's a spelling mistake on that flag 😳
How about some trust...
I feel sorry for kids these days, I could get excited over the Next catalogue
What exactly are you trying to stop him accessing? If it's porn I'm told that most networks automatically block it unless you phone up to unlock it. That would leave your weblog on your router with which to embarrass him/ blame your own surfing habits on him.
Your ilusions of control are futile.
Plus consider I took my first acid at 14, I reckon you've more than websites to be worried about! 😆
Haha the-muffin-man thats how I felt right enough. Re what im trying to do its a combination of factors that mount up to an intolerable situation without going into detail. Nothing illegal but use of internet sites that Im not going to turn a blind eye to, but its also control of use - with excessive time holed up in bedroom etc with mood changes after hours being on it etc etc, probably years now of trying the mature approach. Which leads to a while of reasonable use then a return to obsession. Im not over egging this btw. So I think comments above re-enforce what I was thinking anyway. No smart phone. and xbox locked away during school nights. I sound like a right tyrant but honestly it sucks. I have a couple of mates with lads the same age and they have had nearly identical issues. ah well, off to be the bad parent. cheers S