My Mobile Watchdog monitors your child’s mobile phone usage and alerts you to instances of unsafe or unwanted mobile phone activity. The software provides parents access to call logs, complete text and picture messages and e-mails.

In today's society where parents are increasingly unaware of their child’s technology usage, My Mobile Watchdog helps provide visibility.

Everything accessible on the internet is now available from most mobile phone handsets. Websites, chat rooms, e-mail and instant message are just the push of a button away – anytime, anywhere.

Cyber bullying
Cyber bullying is a growing problem in Australia and a string of recent instances highlights the need for greater supervision of children’s technology use. Harassment via the internet, SMS, chat rooms and social media websites – like MySpace and Facebook – is on the rise. All of these mediums are now available on most mobile phones.

In 2007, telephone counseling service Kids Help Line released a report showing bullying is a primary concern for most children. Of those who experienced bullying, 79 per cent reported episodic or frequent abuse.

The Australian Journal of Guidance and Counseling found the consequences of cyber bullying could be more severe than those of real-life bullying and concluded that parents need to “take back the power to control the technology, as they do with other issues”.

My Mobile Watchdog alerts parents to unsafe activities and allows them to intervene and provide the necessary support and education, potentially combating cyber bullying.

Recent cases of schoolyard fights being filmed and uploaded to YouTube is another disturbing trend that causes continued humiliation for the victim and glorifies violence. My Mobile Watchdog allows parents to see the contents of videos sent, received or uploaded to the internet.

Sexting
The distribution of sexually explicit and inappropriate picture messages via mobile phone, commonly known as sexting, has received significant media attention in recent months. The act is troubling enough and in some Australian states it has led to criminal charges against those who participate in the forwarding of the lewd content.

My Mobile Watchdog allows parents to review any picture messages sent or received by their child, as well as receive instant alerts via their e-mail account.

Predators
In the United States, My Mobile Watchdog is used by law enforcement agencies to detect sexual predators. Police in Colorado used the technology for just 89 days and apprehended 40 pedophiles who had contacted children via mobile phones.

While such instances are not as highly publicised in Australia, My Mobile Watchdog could alert parents to similar unsafe activities.

My Mobile Watchdog is a monitoring service that allows parents to intervene when unsafe or inappropriate activities occur and talk to their children about the consequences. My Mobile Watchdog technology encourages open communication and education about mobile phone and cybersafety issues.

To purchase My Mobile Watchdog for your child’s phone, click here.