Canadian-developed app Kytetime has been released to assist parents in monitoring teen access to the internet through smartphones.
Access to apps and websites, as well as ability to interact with selected contacts through text and call, are adjustable through the app developed by software company Net Nanny.
Kytetime follows the release of Kytephone, a similar app for the protection of children between two and 13 years. Kytephone includes the additional ability to block calls.
Russ Warner, chief executive at Net Nanny, said: “Smartphones and tablets have added new technology, with new challenges,” Reuters reported.
Warner regards the following as potential risky features: “Full web browsing capability, unlimited texting, access to hundreds of thousands of good, bad and malicious apps.”
According to a Pew Research Center study, younger generation smartphone use is increasing as the main means for gaining access online.
Aimed at parents of 13 to 17 year-olds, the software functions on both the Android and iOS platforms for US$12.99 and US$4.99 respectively.
The reduced cost of the Apple device version of Net Nanny is due to less applications in comparison to the Android app.
Net Nanny is also available online as a subscription service for US$19.99 per year.
The web software also allows parents to protect their children from cyberbullying, sexual assault and identity theft on social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook.
