C Spire Announces More Parental Controls for Mobile Phone Child Safety Initiative

C Spire, Mississippi’s largest telecommunications company, is expanding its initiative to give parents control over their children’s cell phones.

Called “Connect & Protect,” the initiative by C Spire aims to connect families and protect children, and it’s now being expanded to include new features. In addition to allowing parents to already track their child’s phone location and restrict internet and social media usage when their kids aren’t connected to Wi-Fi, the new safeguards include the ability to restrict all cellular data, block certain apps, and filter adult content – all with nationwide talk and text options.

“At C Spire, we are aware of the digital threats posed by social media and excessive screen time on children,” said Suzy Hays, president and CEO of C Spire, according to a press release. “The impact on children since 2010 is well documented, with alarming increases in mental health disorders, self-harm and even suicide as teens now spend over seven hours a day on their devices. Our goal at C Spire is for our Connect & Protect suite of parenting solutions to provide tools and peace of mind as parents navigate the digital world with their children.”

C Spire made the changes to its Connect & Protect initiative after conducting a survey of parents in Mississippi, where the national company was founded and is headquartered. The survey found that two-thirds of those considering buying their child a cell phone want them to have access to the internet and social media, but with personalized parental monitoring.

Additionally, 35% of parents surveyed said content restrictions and personalization of accessible content were the most important factors when considering purchasing a phone or device for their child. In response, C Spire hopes the new Connect & Protect features will enable parents to set reasonable limits while helping their children develop healthy digital media habits.

“Connect & Protect allows us to address parents’ concerns about technology use and provide them with the tools and technology to help them make informed decisions,” said Lee J. Webb, SVP of Strategy at C Spire. “Ultimately, we want to help families and children develop healthy technology habits.”

C Spire’s Connect & Protect plans start at $30 per month and include guided parental controls setup. The telco also offers a parent resource center that provides information and tips to help parents decide on their children’s first phone, set screen time limits, and educate on cyberbullying. Learn more here.