Mom Develops app to force her Kids to call back

For parents of teenagers, not knowing where your child is can be frustrating, even frightening. But giving them a cell phone doesn't always mean they’ll answer.

That’s why a Texas mom took control and invented an app that her kids — and yours — can’t ignore.

Sharon Standifird was livid the day she called and texted her teenage children and they didn't respond. Once she knew they were safe, but ignoring her calls, she got an idea.

“We need to develop an app that just shuts their phone completely down and they can’t even use it,” she said. “And I started, literally just started researching how to develop an app.”

Her husband, William, says he wasn't surprised. “Anything she’s ever really set her mind to, she’s done,” he said.

Standifird has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and served in the gulf war. “In Iraq we did patrolling as military police. That was the unit that I was assigned to,” she said.

So becoming an app developer was just one more challenge for this mom on a mission.

After months of design and working with developers, Ignore No More was born.

“As a parent, all I have to do is touch the app, tap his name,” Standifird explained. “To lock Bradley’s device, enter at least a 4-digit unlock code.  And now I’m going to press ‘lock Bradley’s phone.’ And if you watch Bradley’s phone, it’s going to go blank. Bradley needs to call me because I’m the person that has the unlock password.”

With one tap, a list of only parent-selected contacts comes up. The child can call, get the password and unlock the phone.

“It takes away texting, it takes away the gaming, it takes away calling their friends. The child will always be able to call 911,” Standifird said.

So how does her son, Bradley, feel about the idea?

“Um, well I thought it was a good idea, but for other people, not me,” he replied.

“I do have to say that he responds to my texts and my calls a whole lot quicker than he used to,” Standifird said.

Here’s how it works:

1. Download the app and create an account.

The app will ask for your basic information. This will be the only account you need to use across the family. Don’t share your login information with your teens, as they will swiftly find a way to disable the app.

2. Find your kids’ phones and download Ignore No More once again.

Yes, this means the app will cost $1.99 per phone you want to use it on. Not the cheapest solution, but a solid one! Launch it and log in with the same information you used to create the original account. You’ll get a screen that asks if you’re setting it up for a parent or a child. Unless you’re imposing parental lock authority on your spouse, you should selectChild.

3. Enter your child’s name.

4. A screen full of permissions will pop up. Select Activate.

5. Here’s the tricky part: You’ll need to exit the app and open up your Contacts folder. Under the Groups section, you’ll want to scroll down until you see ICE - emergency contacts.

6. Select that category. The only number it contains may very well be 911. Add your number and email, along with any other contact you’d like your child to try when her phone is locked.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed this very invasive app onto your likely-bitter child’s phone. 

7. The next time you’d like to use it to track down your little one, open the app on your phone and select the name of your AWOL kin. 

8. Create a pass-code and then select the option to lock your kid’s phone. Then call your teen. If she doesn't pick up, her phone will be immediately locked. 

It’s important to note that if you don’t immediately call your child after locking his phone, the app will kick in at an unspecified time and you may have to wait an hour or two for him to desperately call.

9. Bask in the glory of outsmarting your Millennial. Tell him you don’t want him hanging out with that Brian anymore.