A device and method for controlling the use of a telephone make a determination as to whether a telephone call may proceed. The determination may be based upon a time reference, such as a total amount of time that a call may proceed or an interval of time when a call is not permitted. The determination may alternatively be based upon whether the user is authorized by entry of a personal identification number prior to placing the phone call. Various other considerations may be accounted for including whether the call is to a particular telephone number and/or whether the call is long distance. If the call may not proceed, then the circuit between a telephone and the telephone network is obstructed to terminate the telephone call.