Ongoing Use & Management Support Other/Misc

 

Account creation and Set up

 

Do I need to create an account before using SchoolsMobile?

You would have likely been sent a communication from your school with a link. This will bring you to your school’s landing page where you can set up your account. We promise the process is simple.

 

What do I need to have at hand when setting the service up?

We promise the set up process is super simple. Please be ready with the following:
1.    Your personal details for account set up
2.    Payment details
3.    Your child’s device – unlocked and not blocked by screen time (iOS)
4.    Your operating system log in details and any family sharing account details and passwords (Family link on android, screen time or family sharing on iOS)

 

What devices does SchoolsMobile support?

SchoolsMobile works on iOS, Android, Chromebook, Mac and Windows. The parent’s dashboard is a web based app and accessible on any browser.

 

Do I need physical access to my child’s device to use SchoolsMobile?

Yes A Connector app will need to be downloaded onto your child’s device for the service to work. We promise, it’s simple, install, turn on and you never really need to touch that app again.

 

I am having issues approving app install on my child’s iOS device?

It is worth having all Apple ID and family sharing credentials with you before you start. See the following links for hints on iOS
How to set up and approve ask to buy/download : Follow this link
If ask to buy is not working : Follow this link

 

How do I install SchoolsMobile app?

When your child is set up on your account, you will be provided a QR code or link that takes you to the required application. Download it, set up as per instructions and turn it on.

 

How do I know the service is working?

Once you have completed the set up steps on our partner app on the child device, you are ready to go you can navigate away. Try a website category such as gambling and you should be blocked. A website that is blocked will simply not connect or look as though your browser has stopped.

 

How do I set up everything on my child’s device?

Schools mobile is designed to be simple and flexible. Simply choose in the drop down menu the school policy you wish to adopt. That policy is then applied to the child’s device.

 

Will SchoolsMobile work on my older phone?

We suggest you run the latest operating system and access the applications via the link or QR code. If you have any issues, please feel free to get in touch.

 

What happens if I forget my password?

It happens! Simply go onto the Schools mobile login page and request a password reset.

 

How do I add more children to an existing account?

In the dashboard simply click “add child”. 

 

What happens if I change or use a new smartphone?

Any new device will need the app downloaded. Simply scan the QR code from your dashboard.

 

Ongoing use and management

 

Will SchoolsMobile block pornographic images from a Google image search?

Depending on your choice of policy, SchoolsMobile deploys “safe search”. This will block explicit results and content from google searches.

 
Can my child bypass/uninstall SchoolsMobile?

Kids are clever these days, if they are capable of working out how to bypass schoolsmobile then threat protection only might be the right policy. Otherwise your dashboard will show a device no longer covered. Then it is over to you as a parent!!

 

Will SchoolsMobile monitor text messages?

Text messages are not monitored. We think certain messaging platforms such as Whatsapp have become ubiquitous and important comms mediums. What SchoolsMobile will do however, if WhatsApp is restricted, is that any attachments will be blocked preventing potentially harmful attachments being accessed.

 

Can I set app limits for games on devices?

Controls over games, apps, websites, categories are all applied and the level of access will vary depending on the policy from the school. It is likely any game, app,, website or category considered inappropriate will have some kind of policy managing its access.

 

Is there a maximum number of devices for my child's account?

No, SchoolsMobile covers unlimited devices per child.

 

If my child loses their phone can I wipe it remotely?

Unfortunately, SchoolsMobile isn’t a device management application.

 

Will SchoolsMobile use affect my data plan?

Using SchoolsMobile does not add incremental data usage, except for the few times you may choose to access the dashboard. The Child’s data usage is unaffected.

 

What kind of reports can I access?

We intend the service to be simple to deploy and use, we hope that detailed reporting will not be of interest to busy parents. However if you want insights, our reporting feature will provide insights on what’s been blocked or accessed.

 

Will using SchoolsMobile effect battery life on a device?

All applications use battery power, however we do not expect any significant incremental use of battery life.

 

Can I check the location of my child’s device?

Location monitoring is not part of SchoolsMobile service.

 

Can I block my child’s phone at bedtime?

SchoolsMobile doesn’t block usage, we think tech is good, however there are appropriate times for usage, It is likely your school policy applies time restrictions on access to certain apps, games, websites and categories. Some may be blocked at all times, some are allowable only during certain hours. All other phone functions such as calls and texts will continue to function normally.

 

When my child’s device is blocked, can I contact him/her?

SchoolsMobile doesn’t block usage, we think tech is good, however there are appropriate times for usage, It is likely your school policy applies time restrictions on access to certain apps, games, websites and categories. Some may be blocked at all times, some are allowable only during certain hours. All other phone functions such as calls and texts will continue to function normally.

 

After I make a change how long until my child's device is updated?

Updates to policies are near instant, however we ask that you allow up to 60 minutes for certain updates. It is worth knowing that some applications store past content to appear to be working. You will notice that updates will not be flowing through and the usage experience will degrade over time.

 

How do I know the service is working?

Once you have completed the set up steps on our partner app on the child device, you are ready to go and you can navigate away. Try a website category such as gambling and you will see that access will be denied to that website. How you see this depends on your browser.

 

What material or content is blocked and what should I expect?

By default, adult, gambling and piracy is blocked, safe search is enabled and depending on your policy, YouTube restricted mode is on. It is worth noting that the definition of adult is broad and may fall into areas of interpretation. You should not see search results that are adult/explicit which is generally content such as explicit nudity, pornography and sexually explicit material. Explicit images should be blocked, however some images that are sexual but not explicit or considered pornography may display, however these are no different to adverts you may see in public spaces.

 

Why can I still see Facebook posts after allowed time?

Some applications store past content to appear to be working. In our experience, with Facebook in particular, while content appears, it is older content the app has stored, no fresh content will display and over time the certain content will fail to load. The experience will then degrade and the child will not be interested.

 

Are there limits for screen usage?

Schools mobile will not lock a phone or prevent access to the internet however, screen time limits are applied to certain applications in line with school policy. There are “Chill times” that align to school policy where children are able to access certain applications at certain times. We aren’t about blocking, rather responsible usage. See your schools policy description or get in touch if you need to know more.

 

Can more than one parent monitor the same child’s device?

Yes - once you have created your account you can add another email address by clicking on Profile, then Settings.

 

Support

Does SchoolsMobile offer live Call or Chat Support?

If you need anything please call us on 0333 242 3163 or email us on info@schoolsmobile.com

 

What should I do when I need tech support?

If you need anything please call us on 0333 242 3163 or email us on info@schoolsmobile.com

 

Other

Will SchoolsMobile share my data?

We operate SchoolsMobile wholly compliant with the law, and we ensure we use and keep your information safe and only for good reason. Any data or information collected will only be used to help protect children. If we decide to change the way we use the data we will only do so if it is compatible with its original purpose or if we ask for consent from parents. Please see our privacy notice on schoolsmobile.com/privacy.