Home Internet Security for Kids

[Buckeye Jack]

So, our soon to be 9 year old will be getting our hand me down Mac mini for Christmas since she is now starting to use the computer a lot more for school work.

I need to use a web screener and logger just to make sure of whats going on and prevent the majority of the bad sites. I know from growing up in the online age that I'll never be able to prevent everything, hence the reason for a logger as well. I have begun doing research just thru google searches but would love to hear your hands on experience of what you do in this scenario.

[hotreds]

http://www.thewebblocker.com/

[dom1n8r]

Do you have a wireless router? If you do, you can set explicit rules that will deny access to the sites you want to block. Also, with a lot of the newer routers, can set "access" times for computers as well.

D

[MedicCook]

The threat of physical harm is a good tool. :r

[Buckeye Jack]

Do you have a wireless router? If you do, you can set explicit rules that will deny access to the sites you want to block. Also, with a lot of the newer routers, can set "access" times for computers as well.

D

Looking for something with updates. I'd have to filter on a lot of things if I were to do it manually, and there's always new sites popping up, no way I could handle to changes. I do plan on doing the access times though.

[Buckeye Jack]

The threat of physical harm is a good tool. :r

I've learned this doesn't mean much when a friend is staying the night......seems peer pressure sometimes avails over parental power ;)

[Bill86]

Might check this out

http://parental-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

[mosesbotbol]

You want something on the end point to block and log your use cases.

[Silound]

Unfortunately, there's no one single product, hardware or software, that can do it all. Every one has some good features and some glaring omissions, and a lot of inappropriate things pop up in the most inconspicuous ways.

Since you're giving her a Mac, here's an excellent link to set up a "Children's Account" and how to monitor it. Using this, you can set her an account and monitor what she's doing, and adjust for things she shouldn't be looking at, or programs she shouldn't be using.

http://gigaom.com/apple/kid-proofing-a-mac-with-parental-controls/

[Buckeye Jack]

Unfortunately, there's no one single product, hardware or software, that can do it all. Every one has some good features and some glaring omissions, and a lot of inappropriate things pop up in the most inconspicuous ways.

Since you're giving her a Mac, here's an excellent link to set up a "Children's Account" and how to monitor it. Using this, you can set her an account and monitor what she's doing, and adjust for things she shouldn't be looking at, or programs she shouldn't be using.

http://gigaom.com/apple/kid-proofing-a-mac-with-parental-controls/

Thanks! I know from working in IT I won't be able to find a be-all-end-all solution, just looking for something I can use to block a good portion.

I was planning on setting her up with her own account anyways just so I could control some things, I'll definitely look into doing this as well. Though, the feedback at the end of the article doesn't look too hot. Maybe apple fixed some of it with Lion since it wasn't out when the article was written. Thanks!

Net Nanny was also given to me as a solution that they use.....