Vodafone UK is launching a new SIM card today aimed at parents looking to control their child’s mobile usage. The SIM, which uses software that runs on Vodafone’s servers called “the Bemilo system”, will let parents disable texting, choose which hours the phone can connect to the network, and it will even let parents read text messages. Since the software in question runs on the network, that means it’s tied to the SIM card itself, so children can’t escape their parents, unless they save up enough money to buy a prepaid device and pay for their own service. Anyway, all this Stalin-esque functionality will cost just 2.95 British pounds per month, and the SIM card is prepaid, so Mom and Dad can control little Timmy’s bill.
Why would any parent with a heart and soul want to do this? According to a survey done by the request of Bemilo, the company that writes the software that enables these “features”, 40% of kids aged 8 to 16 admit to being sleep deprived and 25% say they’ve been a victim of bullying. The hope is that kids who are bullied, or kids who enjoy bullying others, will have parents who are smart enough to curb the amount of abuse one can do with an always on mobile phone.
At the end of the day, bullies will be bullies. Take away their ability to text someone and they’ll just use Facebook or even violence. Want your kid to sleep better at night? Stop letting them drink soda, eat candy, and don’t leave them alone in a room filled with multiple entertainment options. Technology is a wonderful enabler, don’t get us wrong, but throwing technology at a problem that was caused by technology in the first place is the perfect example of fighting fire with fire.
Here’s a simpler solution: Ask your kid to password protect their phone, then take it away from them at night. Give it back in the morning, and boom, you’re done. It’s cheaper too.