New Software Enables Access to Kids' Handsets

A revolutionary new piece of mobile phone software which can give parents control over what photographs and videos their children can download to their handsets is being launched by a Glasgow-based web security firm.

Netintelligence, has created Netintelligence Mobile - a world-first handset-based program allowing parents to set detailed parameters on their children's phone use.

Netintelligence Mobile is installed on the handset via GPRS or PC download, and parents are then able to specify which content is allowed.

Website addresses can be blocked and filtered - i.e. parents can see what sites children are accessing from their phones - and GPRS access can also be blocked and logged by parents.

The software would also benefit from the Netintelligence database of more than 30 million internet files flagged as inappropriate, immediately blocking access to these files.

Among the other features of Netintelligence Mobile are call restriction and logging, premium rate blocking, SIM card lock, instant messenger filtering, and anti-virus.

Phil Worms, director of products and marketing at Netintelligence, said: "As well as protecting kids from some of the more harmful aspects associated with owning a mobile, Netintelligence Mobile also provides parents with a practical solution for ensuring that their children's phone top ups are used on legitimate calls rather than being wasted on expensive premium rate numbers."

The product is currently completing final testing but it is expected that it will be commercially available in spring 2007.