Revolutionary Software Protects Kids and Reduces Parent Liability
PhoneBeagle is changing the way parents and legal guardians deal with the serious issues of distracted drivers, 'sexting', bullying, excessive mobile phone use and other behavioral problems.
Online, August 10, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The average American teenager sends about 100 SMS text messages every day. Eighty percent of automobile accidents are caused by distracted driving - killing thousands of teens every year - yet polls show that only one-third of teens think that texting while driving is distracting. Sending sexually explicit images of underage youth is potentially a felony sex crime, yet over 20% of youth admit sending nude pictures of themselves. Forty percent of youth have experienced cyber-bullying. Legal authorities say parents are responsible for doing something about these problems.
Until now, there were few ways for parents to take responsibility to protect youth and know what is going on with smartphones, the mobile phones with computer-like capabilities.
Simple to use, yet powerful and sophisticated, PhoneBeagle has two components - software installed on Android or BlackBerry smartphones (Phone Application), and a web-based user interface (Web Application). PhoneBeagle captures events, such as, phone location using GPS or network location, call logs, MMS Multi-Media Messages (images and video), and SMS Text-Messages, stores them on the phone, and then uploads to a web account database on a regular pre-defined schedule using WiFi or other data plans such as 3G, EDGE, GPRS, etc. Events are archived in an encoded secure database and can be viewed and printed using a web browser. Encoded security means only the account owner can look at information. Nothing is installed on a computer, but files can be saved to the computer.
Multiple phone accounts (family plan) can be linked together so that all accounts are available from within the same login and user interface.
PhoneBeagle features remote control of phone settings. It is setup with sensible default settings for tasks, but it can also be configured remotely after installation by setting commands in the Web Application. Options include enabling/disabling the capture of certain events or all events if the user wishes to temporarily disable the PhoneBeagle. Battery life can also be extended by adjusting location sampling frequency and method.
Knowing who, what, when and where are now easily accessible by parents.
Is someone a bully?
Are they "sexting" inappropriate (possibly illegal) images?
Are they at risk from predators?
Are they texting when driving?
Discussing depression and suicide?
Involved with drugs or alcohol?
Mixed up in gambling?
Using phones during class?
Knowing the truth improves family communication and can actually give kids more freedom while improving their security. PhoneBeagle is not spyware, it requires permission to install it and the application is visible on the phone. It is for legitimate parental monitoring, employee monitoring and communication file back-up.