Kids on the net

  • Thread starter Thread starter miskairal
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miskairal

Hi all
A friend of a friend has 6 kids (whew, not my cup of tea) and is not so
good on computers and the internet ie. the oldest kids are way ahead of
her. She also doesn't have the time for 100% supervision because of the
younger kids (feeding, nappy changing etc).

Can anyone recommend any software that gives a parent fairly non
technical control over what the child can access on the net. The oldest
child is a boy aged 16 so let your minds wander especially with the 14
year old egging him on :). Actually come to think of it, it's probably
too late for them - let's try and save the younger ones!

Thanks in advance
miskairal
 
miskairal said:
Hi all
A friend of a friend has 6 kids (whew, not my cup of tea) and is not so
good on computers and the internet ie. the oldest kids are way ahead of
her. She also doesn't have the time for 100% supervision because of the
younger kids (feeding, nappy changing etc).

Can anyone recommend any software that gives a parent fairly non
technical control over what the child can access on the net. The oldest
child is a boy aged 16 so let your minds wander especially with the 14
year old egging him on :). Actually come to think of it, it's probably
too late for them - let's try and save the younger ones!

Thanks in advance
miskairal
Click to expand...

I cannot comment on any apps that are available to restrict site viewed,
however I will share what we did,
we put the kids computer in the family room /kitchen area. We can view what
the kids are viewing/doing at any time.
YMMV
Lou
 
Lou W said:
I cannot comment on any apps that are available to restrict site viewed,
however I will share what we did,
we put the kids computer in the family room /kitchen area. We can view what
the kids are viewing/doing at any time.
YMMV
Lou
Click to expand...

May want to add the following (this combo worked for me)

Ad-aware
Spybot S&D
Spyware Blaster
Spyware Guard
Terabrowser (no longer supported but still functional)

there is also kid rocket (another web browser) and kiddonet (combo web
browser internet site)

and I think k-meleon can also be configured (someone correct me if i am
wrong)
 
Lou W wrote:
I cannot comment on any apps that are available to restrict site
viewed, however I will share what we did,
we put the kids computer in the family room /kitchen area. We can
view what the kids are viewing/doing at any time.
YMMV
Lou
Click to expand...

I agree with Lou W on the do not restrict part, as this will prbably make
them more egear to hack it.

My experience tells me
- Regular talk about where they surf to, and insdeed placing the PC in a
very public area will be the best filter.
- Mommy's eyes are far more accurate as any parental filter.
- parential filters only stop parents browsing the net

On the other hand, *Protean Thread* is right with installing
- Spyware scanner (Ad-aware)
- firewall (kerio or zone alarm - personally I find the later easier on non
techies)
- Spamfilter (I use K9, but I'm not too sure I still like it. Has some
strange habbits)
- Antivirus! I recommand to buy such a package, but AVG or any other free
antivirus if money is a big issue

If ther is still need for a parental filter (Again, I do not recommand it)
you could use parental filter < http://users.tpg.com.au/adslgoej/ >


MightyKitten
 
Lou W said:
I cannot comment on any apps that are available to restrict site
viewed, however I will share what we did,
we put the kids computer in the family room /kitchen area. We can view
what the kids are viewing/doing at any time.
Click to expand...

That sounds like the best solution.

Learning them to use anti-malware (like ProteanThread says) and learning
them to use safe programs (i.e.: not IE, OE & MSN Messenger) would help
too.

And it would be even better if she would learn to use the computer &
internet better herself...
 
Thanks for all your replies.

The pc is located in the family room apparently BUT bathing and putting
babies to bed and nappy changing takes Mum away. Dad works evenings.
With so many kids and one pc to share I guess it's hard to stop them
using it while other jobs are done and still give them a decent amount
of time on it.

I advised my friend to install AVG. spybot and Ad-aware a few weeks back
and he said 23 viruses were found. Horror!! It never ceases to amaze me
how many people have no idea about computer security.

<snip>
And it would be even better if she would learn to use the computer &
internet better herself...
</snip>
I couldn't agree more!

I will forward on all the other advice
Thanks again
miskairal
 
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