Parental Control Software
It can't replace you, but parental control software can be an important feature of your family's plan to manage Internet use in your home.
What parental control programs can do
These programs have a variety of features, depending on which program you choose, that will capture screen shots, record sites visited, even log chat room conversations, and capture every keystroke made by your child. Some have the additional capability to specifically allow or disallow certain activities and sites (filtering and blocking). There is even, in some programs, the capacity to schedule times when each member is allowed access to the Internet and will grant access at a scheduled time and shut them out at the scheduled end of the session.
The downside
Some parents depend on these utilities, but you need to be aware of their limitations when evaluating a solution that is right for their family. A few things to keep in mind:
What parental control programs can do
These programs have a variety of features, depending on which program you choose, that will capture screen shots, record sites visited, even log chat room conversations, and capture every keystroke made by your child. Some have the additional capability to specifically allow or disallow certain activities and sites (filtering and blocking). There is even, in some programs, the capacity to schedule times when each member is allowed access to the Internet and will grant access at a scheduled time and shut them out at the scheduled end of the session.
The downside
Some parents depend on these utilities, but you need to be aware of their limitations when evaluating a solution that is right for their family. A few things to keep in mind:
- Users with a minimal amount of Internet experience can search for tools and or instructions to deactivate or circumvent the tools you install.
- Most filtering programs filter based on context and keywords, but legitimate sites are still sometimes blocked, and objectional sites do get through.
- Lack of flexibility- younger children need more protection than older children, but not all programs give you the flexibility to handle both.
