IRISH-BASED software firm MM Technologies has signed a deal with Carphone Warehouse in Ireland that will see its child-safety software available throughout its network of stores.

Mobile Minder is a software application for smartphones that helps identify potential child-safety issues for parents such as inappropriate messages and photographs being sent to a child’s smartphone, and cyber-bullying.

The application teams with an online platform that allows parents to monitor their child’s activity when necessary, including length of calls and texts, website history and app usage. It cannot be disabled by the child, and its presence is flagged by an icon on the screen.

“It’s an Irish solution to a global programme,” said MM Technologies chief executive Don Corbett. “It’s great that Carphone Warehouse has seen that.”

The deal with Carphone Warehouse will see vouchers for the application available through the network of almost 100 stores, and also from the retailer’s website. Two new price options have been brought out for the Carphone Warehouse launch, with a six-month subscription costing €19.99 and €39.99 for a year-long subscription.

The product will be available in the next couple of days.

The retailer will get a share of the revenue, but exact figures have not been disclosed.

“Carphone Warehouse is a real success story in the Irish telecommunications sector,” said Mr Corbett. “We would very much like to emulate the success of Carphone Warehouse. We see this partnership as the first step of the upward trajectory of the business here.”

The company is targeting 1,000 sign-ups per month, but Mr Corbett said he was expecting more, given the surge in smartphone usage.

Mobile Minder is also targeting partners in Asia and the US.