Digi has introduced a new Family Safety app that allows parents to use mobile technology to better watch over their families. The app covers seven different aspects – both online and offline.
The Digi Family Safety app provides parent’s with the ability to track the location of their childrens’ mobile devices using GPS signals (provided those phones also have the app installed). Family members can also check in using the app, making it easier for everyone to keep track of the other’s whereabouts.
This GPS tracking also allows the app to perform a geo-fencing function, and will alert the parental account if the device leaves the designated area. The geo-fence works across the globe, ensuring that parents can still keep an eye on family members who are overseas. The geo-fenced area has a a minimum size of 150m from a designated central point, but can be expanded to any size.
Each app is also equipped with a panic button, allowing individuals to quickly alert family members in the case that they are in trouble. The panic button has a short countdown before sending the alert, in case that the sender hit the rather prominent button by accident.
Digi’s Chief Marketing Officer, Loh Keh Jiat said, “today’s announcement is taking our cyber safety advocacy effort to a whole new level. This is the first step for Digi to take on a holistic approach to safeguard our customer’s digital life. We are making a promise of a safer mobile experience to our customers by offering end-to-end safety digital solutions together with relevant learning tools to further encourage capacity building among their children.”
Aside from physical safety, the Digi Family Safety app also includes parental controls for mobile devices. It include the usual options like blocking selected apps and websites; as well as setting time limits for internet use. There is also a phone security feature that will allow missing devices to be forced to ring (even if it is set to silent mode) or remotely wiped in the event that the device cannot be recovered.
Interestingly, the Digi Family Safety service comes in two flavours. The free version only allows for two children to be added to the app, and only includes the basic location tracking functions. The full suite of options requires an RM5 per month subscription from the parent.
Smartphone users on other mobile network providers will only be limited to the free usage as well, as the subscription is dependent on Digi’s own billing system. Also, the app stops working if the smartphone owner runs out of data or is otherwise unable to connect to the network.
The Digi Family Safety app is currently available on Google Play, while the iOS version will be made available in August. Digi is also providing its subscribers with a 30-day free trial of the premium version of Digi Family Safety.
