Seriously, I'll check back later because I'd like to know as well. Currently we do not permit our children access.
Posted on 01/02/2006 9:59:49 PM PST by BulletBobCo
I'm searching for a good parental control for the computer. I finally switch to cable from dial up and the free software that the company provides doesn't appear to be user friendly (I haven't had a chance to really sit down and play with it yet). I researched the web to see what's out there and would like some Freeper input as well. Happy New Year.
I've been using CyberSitter, and have been satisfied with it.
Here is AFA's filter--one of the best.
http://www.afafilter.com/default.asp?13850
But thats not what your asking =o)
Bsafe.com which is the filter used by AFA (American Family Association) but can be used with any service.
Looks like a good product. Does it also filter out Rat sites? ;)
BTTT for tomorrow. Thanks for the link!
they all work fairly well, and are about the same across the board.
Other possible solutions:
Put a sniffer on your network, and have that pick up any traffic with certain keywords.
Put a keylogger on the child's machine, and randomly see what is being typed.
If you have a firewall for your router, you can deny IPs at that point.
Also, do not give your kid's computer accounts admin access. That way they are unable to install new things without your approval.
There's all sorts of tricky things that you can do with computers to monitor what's being done with one. But even with all of those things, they can be gotten around. Surfing through some anonymizers will bypass some filters as the browser request is to the anonymizer, which then makes a request to the denied site.
The most surefire way to know what's ahppening on the PC is the same as knowing what your kids are watching on TV. Limit access to those electronic devices to just the ones in the family room. It's hard to be doing something you're not suppose to while other people are in the room, potentially watching over your shoulder.
Good advice, thanks.
Virtually everything that has been listed as a way of "protecting" your children can be easily evaded.
The best advice I have ever seen is to place the computer in a high-traffic area - like the family room.
You kids will not even try to go to unacceptable sites if there's a chance mum or dad will wander past at any time.
And if they are inadvertantly taken to an unacceptable site, they are more likely to call for help immediately than if they are in their room (where they might try to fix it themselves).
My kids were under 10 when we first went online about 20 years ago, back in the BBS days - so I've seen the 'net change from a text-based medium to the multimedia extravaganza it is today.
The only time I ever had to run a keylogger (or anything similar) was when my dauighter was going thru her 'rebellious' phase in her early teens.
Regards
Sadim
Use a laptop. Only allow the kids to use it supervised, and lock it in a safe when you're not home.
No computer. No worries.
What...no computer....no Free Republic!
Seriously, I'll check back later because I'd like to know as well. Currently we do not permit our children access.
The software programs are OK, but the best "parental control" available is the parent. Place the PC in a room where your family gathers, and control its use to times when someone is there to supervise.
Communication is also excellent parental control. Talk to your kid about the internet and tell him or her about your expectations of how it will be used.
Parental control also includes guiding the child to sites where the information needed is available, but not information you do not wish them to see. Again, having the computer in an area that is usually occupied by an adult is ideal.
"Currently we do not permit our children access."
Good for you.
Just curious.
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