How to Use the Verizon Wireless Content Filters on a Child's Mobile Phone

Verizon Wireless offers a parental control feature that can inhibit your child from accessing features that are not age appropriate. Downloads, and mobile web information can all be retrieved by your child via their mobile handset, and you can control just how much they are exposed to by using the content filter option. The content filter is a free service that is offered by Verizon Wireless to allow parents to control the content that their children may encounter while using their mobile phones. The service is one of many that can give parents peace of mind when it comes to their child’s mobile abilities.

Instructions

1. Create an account to access the Verizon Wireless content filters. To do this, go to Verizon website (see Resources) and create a user ID and password. You will then be able to use the parental control features for your child’s mobile phone.

2. 

   Input your user ID and password at the prompt that is located on the Verizon Wireless home screen. The input box can be found in the upper area on the right hand side of the screen. Click the Sign In button.

3. 

   Click the button that reads User Controls, under the Quick Links heading to the right, middle of the screen. This takes you to a new screen that allows you to set the content filters that you feel are appropriate for your child’s mobile phone.

4. 

   Choose the Content Filters tab by clicking it with your mouse. You will be taken to another screen which lists all of the phone numbers on your account. On this screen Verizon offers you a content filtering feature that corresponds with your child’s age level.

5. 

   Click the Edit Filters button, and proceed to the next page. You will be prompted to fill in the bubble that corresponds with the content filters that you would like to choose for your child’s mobile phone. To do this, click on the bubble that denotes the content filter that you would like to choose, and click "Submit" to verify the changes. Exit the Edit Filters option, and Verizon will notify you on screen that the changes have been made.

Tips & Warnings

• Verizon Wireless also offers a few other parental control features that can be very useful in restricting your child’s mobile access. Features such as Usage allowance, time restrictions, blocked numbers, trusted numbers, and profiles can be invaluable when safety and billing are of issue. All of these features can be accessed for a fee of $4.99 a month per phone. But the content filter feature is completely free. These services can all be accessed by speaking to a Verizon Wireless representative by dialing 611 from your mobile handset.

• Although the content filters and other parental controls are convenient, they can not be a substitute for parental supervision. Personally monitoring who your child talks to and how he uses his mobile phone is the best means of protection for your child.

Resources

• Verizon Wireless