Vodafone launches content filtering app

Voda Guardian Android app protects young people from inappropriate calls, messages and online content.

The app was launched today in Egypt, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and the UK with other markets to follow next year. It is available free of charge.

Specifically it enables parents to configure their children's smartphones to:

* block specific contacts or numbers
* transfer 'cyber-bullying' text messages to a secure folder in the smartphone's onboard memory
* restrict outgoing calls to individual contacts only
* specify times during which calls can be made or received. Also applies to app use.
* block access to the mobile internet at specific times via 3G, wi-fo or BlueTooth
* deactivate the smartphone's camera at specific times

The following functions are set by default:

*  a text message is sent to the parent or carer's mobile phone if the child calls the emergency services
*  calls made by the child to specific counselling hotlines for children are not recorded, ensuring full confidentiality for the child at all times.