With the development of new technology comes the problem of a lack of control. This is particularly the case where children are concerned.

If you are a parent and at a loss as to how to take control of who your children text or speak to on their mobile phone, there is an answer.

Developed by a rather unknown company in the mobile phone world, Bemilo, the new handset is aimed at parents who worry about who their children are in contact with. One of the features enables parents to control who their offspring can add as a friend to their contact book. Parents can even decide when the phone should be switched off.

Simon Goff, founder of Bemilo, said: “Unlike an app, Bemilo’s SIM will work on any mobile device or tablet, and most importantly cannot be bypassed by the child.”

Welcoming this, Katherine Rake, chief executive of the Family and Parenting Institute said that parents had wanted “something like this for a very long time.”

She added: “Parents being able to read texts means if bullying is going on they will be alerted straight off and can deal with it straight away.”

If you fancy getting your hands on this new device, it is currently only available on the Vodafone network. It is on pay as you go, with a monthly subscription of £2.95 for the parental control service.

This new idea has not been welcomed by everyone, however. Nick Pickles of Big Brother Watch believes that while the protection of children is obviously important, this maybe a step too far.