Disney offers kid-tracking via mobile

Disney will offer a new mobile phone service this summer that allows parents to track their child's movements and decide who they call.

The service will allow parents to track their child at any time using GPS technology built into the handsets, as well limiting when the phone can receive calls and how much is spent, and prioritising messages that reach the phone.

"Disney Mobile uses sophisticated technology to make family communication better and easier to manage than ever before," said Steve Wadsworth, president of Walt Disney Internet Group.

"We have addressed what parents are looking for in a comprehensive mobile service, while also balancing the needs of what kids want in a cellphone. Never before has a mobile service offered such a feature-rich, customisable experience for both parents and kids."

The service will be available in June throughout the US as part of Disney's attempt to build a new mobile network for its customers. If successful it will be extended worldwide where possible.

Parents will be able to set monthly allowances for each child covering key aspects of mobile phone use, including voice minutes, text and picture messages, and downloadable content such as ring-tones, wallpapers and background themes.

Summary usage for the entire family and each kid's individual usage can be tracked, and both the parent and the child receive an alert on their phone once a monthly allowance is reached.

"Parents told us that they value the convenience and security a cellphone provides, but they also expressed a desire to be able to supervise their children's cellphone use and avoid the horror stories about excessive mobile bills," said George Grobar, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Mobile.