Verizon to Launch Mobile 'Chaperone' Service

Billosaur writes "CNET is reporting that Verizon will soon be offering a service (branded "Chaperone") which will allow parents to keep track of their cell phone-carrying children. Following on the heels of a similar service started by Sprint in April, the system will allow parents 'to set up geographic limits and receive text alerts if their children, who also carry phones, go too far from home. The service also lets parents check where their offspring are via a map on their cell phone or computer.' Disney will purportedly be offering a similar service when it begins selling mobile phones sometime this summer. It's 10pm -- do you know where you child's cell phone is?"

Comments

Big Daddy

[Kaa]

which will allow parents to keep track of their cell phone-carrying children

We are all NSA's children...

Re:Big Daddy

[eln]

If Law and Order has taught me anything, it's that this capability can be easily defeated simlpy by uploading a virus to the phone company's switches to make them think I'm coming in from different towers every time they check.

Unfortunately, the cops will figure this out and disable the software after I bury my victim alive, but not before she actually dies, and my whole operation will be foiled.

Re:Big Daddy

[supremebob]

True, but if 24 has taught us anything, we all now know that the phone companies are protect by Phoenix poison pill firewalls that cause everything to self-destruct when you try to break in. Not that it matters, though, because Jack Bauer's cell phone has pre-programmed backdoors to every computer system and can make flash memory cards self-destruct on command.

Re:Big Daddy

[cmdr_beeftaco]

Do not post information like this. You are endangering Jack Bauer's critical mission. I am going to upload your position into his PDA so he can take you out.

This ought to make dating easier.

[Trigun]

Where can I check the maps?

This brings a whole new meaning to those "find available women in your area" banner ads.

Re:It's 10pm...

[dr_dank]

I can't wait for the new Verizon commercials.

Annoying Kid: Can you molest me now? Good.

What's to worry..

[Presidential]

Considering Verizon's crappy coverage in my area, I think the young delinquents here are perfectly invisible.

Re:No idea where the child actually is

[smooth wombat]

Can anyone think of anymore ways?

3/Sorry mom, the dog ate my phone. I had to wait to retrieve it.

Re:Who will think this will work?

[students]

6) Get better parents.

Parent 95 and Parent 98 crash all the time because they drink too much. Parent ME is terrible in every way. Parent NT is always in the hospital with the flu. Parent XP is somewhat better, but still has viruses and crashes. Parent Vista will never be released and has even worse DRM. Also, it constantly annoys people with safety warnings. MacParent Pro is too expensive. It wants to eat caviar and drive a Porsche. MacParent Mini looks stupid - I'm taller than it is!

So, when does OpenParent come out? I want a parent I can modify to say "Hi honey, where are you? In a bar? Great! Don't forget to pick up some X on the way home. Bye." when it calls me on my nefarious cell phone.

Re:Steps for Workaround

[nightsweat]

You can't do this with a cat.

My god, according to GPS, Johnny hasn't moved in hours. I think he's dead!

Re:This seems like a violation of privacy rights..

[cyngus]

Somehow, recently, we decided an individual is too stupid to think for themselves until they turn 18.

Most, unfortunately, are still too stupid to think for themselves at this age and much older.