As cell phones become ever more an extension of kids' ears and thumbs, AT&T is helping bill-paying parents avoid the sweaty-palmed opening of the monthly bill. For $4.99 a month, Smart Limits lets parents have some say in who and when their children call, and how many texts and downloads they're allowed, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Almost a quarter of children aged 10 and 11 have cell phones, and AT&T even sees a market for the easy-to-use online interface in keeping tabs on tweens—a February survey found that 25% of parents would be willing to pay for one. The figure increases to 37% for parents of children younger than 13. (More children stories.)