AT&T is launching a replacement parental control app for all the smartphones and tablets your family members use. It's called Secure Family, and AT&T says it's both cheaper and more feature rich than the Smart Limits app it replaces.
Parents allowing a child access to a connected device without any form of content controls in place will always be a risk. AT&T catered to this by offering the Smart Limits app, which allowed internet content to be filtered, calls to be managed, and TV time to be limited. But on Nov. 26, Smart Limits will cease to function as AT&T is replacing it with the Secure Family app.
Secure Family promises to offer more protection and control in return for $7.99 a month with the ability to monitor up to 10 lines. The app allows you to track the location of family members, access location history, filter and block innapropriate content based on age, block app purchases, set time limits, and pause access to the internet. There's also an alerts system built-in, complete with arrival and departure alerts for when family members enter or leave key locations such as their home, school, or place of work.
Comparing it to Smart Limits, AT&T states Secure Family costs 20 percent less than monitoring 10 lines with Smart Limits. There's also additional features available in Secure Family spread across location tracking, content filtering, alerts, and time limits. Some features are being lost, however, with number blocking and reminders to use Wi-Fi not making the jump from Smart Limits. Number blocking can be achieved separately using the AT&T Call Protect app instead.
If you're an AT&T customer and would like to try Secure Family, the first 30 days are free. After that, it's $7.99 a month which auto-renews and gets billed to your wireless account.