Parents- what child safe block do you use?

[miss missy]

I am amazed at the research I found out on the net on this subject, very minimal I would think this would be a HOT market! Don't people protect their kids anymore? jeesh

So I ask, do you have one? Does it work well?

I realize nothing beats a parent watching, that is why my family puter is in the room we are in most... but I want a time limit, a bad site blocking tool, bad words filter, private info filter... you know the best I can get.

I see Cyber Patrol is pretty good (had it years ago but not sure how it is now) and ContentProtect seems good and has a remote admin option (but take hours for change to go into effect)

Any info on other out there anyone??? TIA

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My children are young and don't use the internet without me so at this time we use nothing.

 

[miss missy]

Well maybe by the time you need one, they will be better info on them

 

[miss missy]

well since noone answered, I will go blind and try a free download...

 

[Aidensmom]

I looked at Cyber Patrol once years ago, before I had a child, just out of curiousity. At that time, it blocked all kinds of completely innocent stuff too, seemed like a pain in the rear to me. Don't know how much it has changed.

My son's computer does not have internet access at all right now. I am not sure it ever will until he is at least in high school. Until then, he can use my laptop in whatever room I am in to go online. To me, that is the best block to use.

 

[DVCLiz]

I don't use one. Our computer is in the den, so I am always available to walk in and see what my younger daughter (12) is doing. My older daughter (17) has had her own laptop since 9th grade, and I didn't monitor her use. If I'd seen a problem, I certainly would have, but she hasn't abused it in any way. I think there's a big difference between seeing what porn sites a child may have visited, and monitoring their conversations on IM or email with friends. Since DD never had any problems with unwanted sites popping up, and to my knowledge never visited any, it wasn't an issue.

I never monitored her time on the computer - again, it didn't seem excessive to me so there was no need.

 

[RobynK]

I use AOL it has all that stuff built into its Parental Controls. I get an email every day with what the kids activity was (what sites they visit how many IM's etc) I also monitor their email and read it - the 14yo doesn't always like it but I do it anyway. I also have certain emails blocked from sending to their accounts- like the person the 14yo met online while visiting relatives- needless to say that website is also blocked and if I find out he has been visiting it again he will not be allowed to go to that particular relative without me either!

 

[fabumouse]

A few months ago I listened to this great article on NPR on this subject - a father who really wanted to protect his kids and once he started delving into the subject matter, was astounded at what he found. I don't know if this is the person whom I heard interviewed but it looks similar (from Amazon.com)

Keep Your Kids Safe on the Internet (Paperback)
by Simon Johnson

Covers:
What is the Internet?
How is the Internet Regulated?
What are the threats and how serious are they?
How to Avoid and Reduce the Risks...
Content-Filtering Software
Using Filtering Software to Keep Out the Junk Mail
Internet Firewall Software
Antivirus Software
Malicious Software Detection
Putting Your Defense into Place
Spyware and Adware

Good luck! My DD is only 5, so I have a couple of years but I know my time is coming.

 

[miss missy]

Thanks everyone!

I am very computer savy, so I know what is out there on the net and the predators online are my fear. I also dont want bad pics to show up and I have had that happen every now and again on searches of my own.

I suggest anyone interested look at http://www.perverted-justice.com/ to see just how many predators are out there! It is a scary reality!

I wanted to see what the majority are doing for blocks and protection. I just don't think we can be too safe.

I do not feel the need to read emails and IM's, but if I ever do, I will.

 

[tmt martins]

I use MSN parental control for DD12 have been for 3 or 4 years . She doesn't even get on any sight unless I approve it .I get weekly reports on how long and what sights she goes on.who she IM's is also included and they have to be approved by me as well.

I have another program I'm not sure what it is but it doesn't let her download any programs either So she can't put AOL or Netscape browser ( her little sceeming friends tried to override my control { don't think so and I know what one tried it because they tried to log on their AOL account}).

I think DD knows because I explain why these things are done she knows they are on there My computer is password locked so I know she doesn't sneek on it.

I also have the GPS tracking avail at a phone call away on her cell.

 

[Hedy]

I'm not a parent, so take what I say with a grain of salt:
I've never seen a parental control program that didn't block things that were legitimate sites: be it blocking bad words (breast cancer search for a school project would be taboo) or blocking sites for having ads, even if they were legitimate sites.

 

[AC7179]

We don't use one for my 12 year old.
Her computer is in the den so we can monitor it if we feel it's needed.
Basically she just plays VMK so I don't worry too much about that.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Don't people protect their kids anymore? jeesh

This cracked me up. Makes it sound like people have been "protecting" their kids on the internet for hundreds of years and now are slacking off! Not laughing at you, it is just funny when read the wrong way.

I use the msn parental controls for the 12 year old girl, but the boys are older and if they want to look up whatever disgusting thing they're after, fine. Hate to think I had the only kid leaving for college who hadn't seen porn. I just don't want to know about it.