Over the last few years, we’ve seen examples of companies getting it wrong when it comes to consumer safety, especially as it relates to children. Google, Craigslist and even Match.com have all been in the news for lackadaisical policies regarding child privacy and safety.

As technology evolves, the way in which predators prey on children evolves
with it. And with more and more kids and teens using cell phones these days, it’s no surprise attempts are being made to contact them at every turn. Cell phone technology is remarkable as compared to only five years ago (think iPhone vs. a standard cell phone at the time). Most phones today have Internet capability, advanced applications and high definition video recording equipment.

Unfortunately, like most advanced technologies, people have learned how to exploit users on such devices, and cell phones are no different. Technology makes it easier to do and say things we might not do in person, which is why cases of cyber harassment are at an all- time high. Child predators randomly text unsuspecting teens in an attempt to groom their next victim, and bullies use cell phones to insult and harass their peers, without much fear of consequence. Simple firewalls and safety nets are no longer sufficient from protecting children from these dangers.

Thanks to a new caller-ID function, however, parents can feel better about giving their children cell phones. We had the opportunity to talk to the founder of Prologue’s AngelGuard™ service, which represents a game-changing advance in telephone privacy and security. By basing it upon a patented FollowME-ID™ technology instead of the outdated and easy circumvented Caller-ID, AngelGuard™ will provide parents with an unparalleled degree of control over the people with whom their children communicate by mobile phone.

Prologue’s patented caller identification system is a vast improvement for privacy and security services reliant upon the decades-old Caller-ID technology for several reasons:

1) Identifies the call initiator, not the instrument being used (voice recognition). An unwanted caller will not get through regardless of the phone they’re using.

2) Compatible with a range of identification systems, even those still in development.

3) Provides a complete list of authorized callers instead of a partial list of blocked telephones, a “positive” list in that it contains the identities of callers who will be accepted.

4) Whether or not a specific caller can get through can be managed according to the time and day the call is received.

While FollowME-ID™ is a brand-new technology and still needs to be rolled out to consumers, it appears to be effective at protecting kids from whose who wish to do them harm.The best feature is that parents are in control of who their kids talk to and when they do so, whether the calls are incoming or outgoing. And that should provide some relief to parents, especially now that school’s out and teens have more free time on their hands.

In a world where technologies are constantly evolving, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve, especially when child safety is on the line. And thankfully, companies like Angel-Guard are working to improve safety measures for our most vulnerable population.

For more information about emerging technologies and keeping your children safe online, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Stop Child Predators Team

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