Vodafone - can I restrict access to mobile data for children?

Forums › Vodafone New Zealand › Vodafone - can I restrict access to mobile data for children?

dafman

1799 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 773

Trusted

Subscriber

Topic # 180964 28-Sep-2015 10:21

Looking at options to restrict access to mobile data for children when away from home (android handset)?

Does the Vodafone Guardian app allow parents to turn off mobile data?

Reason I ask, we are happy for use of wifi in supervised environments, but don't want unsupervised access to the net outside of this.

From what I can see, there is the ability to turn off wifi access, but not mobile data?

Also looking at $9 prepaid option for txt/phone - but since minimum top up is $20, still no way to prevent access to mobile data for remaining credit?

dylanp

697 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 318

Trusted

Reply # 1395595 28-Sep-2015 10:48

I understand Vodafone Guardian lets you control the internet connection overall, but I'm not sure if it differentiates between cellular and wifi. If you're using mobile data at all it would probably be better to be on the Prepay $19 plan. Would definitely recommend Vodafone Guardian.

johnr

19290 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2600
Inactive user

Reply # 1395600 28-Sep-2015 10:52

I can disable mobile data on the network side and no way kids can turn it back on

John

muppet

1806 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 562

Trusted

Reply # 1395700 28-Sep-2015 12:29

Kids these days are smart.
If you disable mobile data, aren't they just going to use Wifi where available?
And if at school and no Wifi's available, get their mate to turn on his Mobile Hotspot and off they go?

I would suggest some sort of device based app (i.e. Vodafone Guardian) would be better suited to what you're trying to do, but even those are probably fairly easily circumvented if the child knows what they're doing.

scuwp

2637 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1110

Reply # 1395725 28-Sep-2015 13:06

Mobile data on the handset turned off, with accompanying threat to loose use of [insert favorite device here] for given period?

I prefer my kids to have cell data turned on. One of the main reasons we got them smart phones was for safety...and we can track there whereabouts.

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

n4

953 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 73

Reply # 1395729 28-Sep-2015 13:12

Have a look at Mobile Fence - beta app on Android, not sure about iOS.

Huawei Mate 7, on 2degrees

dylanp

697 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 318

Trusted

Reply # 1395732 28-Sep-2015 13:18

muppet: Kids these days are smart.
If you disable mobile data, aren't they just going to use Wifi where available?
And if at school and no Wifi's available, get their mate to turn on his Mobile Hotspot and off they go?

I would suggest some sort of device based app (i.e. Vodafone Guardian) would be better suited to what you're trying to do, but even those are probably fairly easily circumvented if the child knows what they're doing.

Many of these types of services teach lateral thinking and technical problem solving. :)

In all seriousness Vodafone Guardian is good and well worth looking into.

dafman

1799 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 773

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 1395754 28-Sep-2015 13:42

VodafoneDylan:
muppet: Kids these days are smart.
If you disable mobile data, aren't they just going to use Wifi where available?
And if at school and no Wifi's available, get their mate to turn on his Mobile Hotspot and off they go?

I would suggest some sort of device based app (i.e. Vodafone Guardian) would be better suited to what you're trying to do, but even those are probably fairly easily circumvented if the child knows what they're doing.

Many of these types of services teach lateral thinking and technical problem solving. :)

In all seriousness Vodafone Guardian is good and well worth looking into.

Hi Dylan - I don't think Guardian will be able to help me.

I want to restrict access to mobile data. If I can't do this, then website filtering on the phone may be another option. As far as I see it, Guardian does neither of these.