Having been a kid myself once, I'm going to start out by saying kids will find ways around just about anything.  Nothing is going to be foolproof.

T-Mobile can help manage access to the T-Mobile network (as does any parental controls across carriers).  T-Mobile's isn't flexible, and doesn't fit in everyone's needs (this is me still saying it needs to be revamped), but it "works".

But, no carrier will basically completely disable all features of a device with their parental controls.  It's not feasible.  A carrier network cannot control what happens on WiFi, nor vice-versa.  Your two options in this case are:

  - Get a home WiFi Router that has proper parental controls (I heard about one on the radio some time last year -- something tells me Disney may have been somehow affiliated with it? I don't recall the details, but there are several routers nowadays that will let you have restricted times per device).  Use this in addition to T-Mobile's Parental Controls (T-Mobile controls their network, you control yours) -- This doesn't stop them from getting on the neighbor's WiFi.

  - Actually be a parent and let there be consequences of the child not putting their device down when instructed to (this is hard to do, I know, but, back in my day, if I was up late playing my Nintendo, it was removed from me for a while.  There are things called "Feature Phones" or "Dumb Phones" that you can swap their device out for and give them an actual alarm clock if they're not properly obeying).

There's probably apps out there that will help you restrict.  But, apps are easily uninstallable (although, probably not easily reinstalled with the same parameters you set).  Nothing beats being a properly involved parent who follows through with consequences.

I agree with you they are a joke! If they can find a way to shut a phone down for non-payment, and immediately bareconnect upon payment, they sure as hell could manage this very basic control. They want our kids addicted, the jerks.

I agree that T-Mobile Family Allowances is a joke... I have tried it twice on my son's phone and both times it did not work for what i wanted to do: stop his ability to download data to his phone at specified times or all together stop. Even if one set the data allowance to "0 MB" or "1 MB", the system will tell you that this line is over the limit, but it does not stop the download.

I've also tested the time restrictions on messaging and calls. The interface only allows preset time periods such as 9 am to 2 pm or 4-9 pm or 9-11 pm or 11 pm to 6 am... IN THEORY. In practice, i've found that after i set the limits, my son reported that his phone was not working then it was supposed to work, and sometimes working when it was not supposed to work... Let alone the issue that we'd like to be able to select the times ourselves, rather than having preset times...

Then i also tested the "Always allowed numbers" : phone numbers that would not be blocked such as being able to call your family... It did not work, according to my son. He could not call me, even after the numbers had been set up as "Always allowed".

So twice i had to ask T-Mobile to remove Family Allowances from my account, and get me a refund, which they gladly did with an apology...

What works to restrict kids time on phone is to install an app called " Our Pact"on your phone and your child's phone. See www.OurPact.com. Friends use it, and it does the job nicely...  provided your kid lets you install this app on his/her phone. Once it's on, i heard it cannot be removed without parental permission.

Good luck!

yes. I'm in the same situation. Called T mobile N+1 times and they can never resolve this issue.

Hey, all! We're going through older posts with this feedback and making sure that everyone gets a chance to take a peek at our new family program, FamilyMode, launching 6/29. You can read our blog about it here and learn more in the Resources list at the bottom: Meet the digital ally parents need -- thank you for sharing your opinions with us!

I have said the very same thing, some have voice their opposition to my suggestion. I replied back stating, how I thought it was funny how they could stand up to me using a keyboard, but not their own children. I'm like you, when I disobeyed my parents I learned real quick there was consequences for my actions. They do make dumb phones, I'm willing to bet after a few times of using a "dumb" phone they will think twice about using their phones during times they are not supposed to.  A point of note none of my children started out with I-phones or A-Droids they all started out with a Bar(dumb)phone and had to earn getting a touchscreen or what the latest and greatest was during that time period. .

Marissa (I can't tag you)

Personalizing and Controlling Your Home Network with Xfinity xFi -- that's Comcast's options.  It's built into their router.  The same functionality is available in my Google WiFi router, along with many other newer routers.  The logic is to start controlling screen time, which the app T-Mobile is providing can do as long as it's still properly parented.  I do agree that one shouldn't 100% rely on technology to parent (even though the television was my babysitter growing up).

When it's built in to the system, it's harder to circumvent.  When it's an app, kids will circumvent.  It's a start, but not the best.  But, with it being an app, I don't know how T-Mobile's solution is any better than the other apps out there that offer similar results.

I'm not in a position to debate the options (I'm not the target consumer), but I would have thought T-Mobile would have come up with a network-side solution before (what appears to be) re-branding a third party software-based solution (that is a one-time cost of hardware vs a monthly fee).

Yes. Family allowance is a joke. I was controlling phone calls, text, and internet with AT&T. It was free with account with their interface before I switched. I was controlling WIFI through my router. TMobile charges $5 per month for something totally useless. The only option is to take the SIM card off, I guess. Guys provide a total solution for something you are charging as a service.

2 year old thread, problem still exists. What’s the latest there tmo?

Mark this as not resolved.  Family allowances doesn’t block anything.  I have the Wi-Fi well managed to shut off completely on demand.  However, the internet still works for the phone via T-Mobile’s network. Also, the tethering of said data to downstream PCs that would not work otherwise, because the WI-FI is shut off.  

Turning the line off via Family allowances only operates on the calls and texting.  The internet access achieved though T-Mobile’s network is NOT disabled, despite what they say here and what the buttons & documentation say.   Doesn’t matter if it is Apple or Android.  It shouldn't matter.  The data should be stoppable at the T-Mobile server end.  Otherwise, the phone user can download a free phone app (Snapchat for example) and continue on as if nothing happened.  

It would be better if the phone and text messages still worked, but the Data shutoff did not.   At least we can track phone calls and text messages. 

Being a single parent, I need to be able to locate and communicate with my teens.  

Please stop advertising that the Family allowances provides any kind of useful service.  

I just got a phone a couple of weeks ago for my 12 year old grandson.  When I asked them at the store how to set up the parental controls they told me to just google it.  I have set up family mode which I have to pay 10.00 a month for and then I had to call them to add family allowances.  I kept getting an error message every time I tried to put the times to limit the device.  I tried both the app and the website.  I called back several times and they could not figure it out.  It would not save the changes for them either.  I finally got someone that was able to get the times put in and save it.  They told me the app would not work with that feature.  I can look on the website and my app and see that the times have been saved but it is still allowing calls and texts to come through during the blocked times.  I still get an error when I try to set up the web guard.  I was on hold for almost an hour this morning before I was able to talk to someone and then after they still could not figure it out they were going to send me to tech but disconnected me instead.  I have probably spent over 6 hours on the phone in the last two trying to get this resolved.