Parental control software
January 8, 2007
PC Magazine names parental control software Chaperone Professional 5.0 one of the worst products of 2006, citing that “Chaperone is hard to set up and its protection is weak.”
Here’s PC Mag’s Parental Controls Buying Guide offering a list of software reviews.
Like television, computer use has to be supervised and limited.
Personally, I haven’t implemented any parental control software or hardware products in our home. The two computers my four children have access to are in public spaces where they can be supervised. Mainly the children run software, but I’ve setup shortcuts to a few Web sites we’ve approved or are necessary for school work assignments.
I’ve adjusted the family user privileges to prevent use of certain applications or unauthorized software installation.
I make sure all the software and operating security security patches are up-to-date.
Occasionally, we use remote viewing of the child’s computer in case we can’t be in the same room with the child. That way we can still see what the child is viewing.
Of course, as the older boys become aware of email and instant messaging, I’ll have to adjust tactics. But for now, my wife and I feel reasonably comfortable that our kids are safe.
Please comment on YOUR experience or tips. Thanks.
-Roland
Hi,
I found your blog via google by accident and have to admit that youve a really interesting blog :-)
Just saved your feed in my reader, have a nice day :)
I have four kids aged 4 to 12. They use two computers: one in the living room and another in a bedroom. They play on-line games and watch video clips for the most part, and look for “cheat codes” for their CD-driven games. I don’t use any filtering software, but we live in Saudi Arabia and the national proxies block almost all porn - which is what they’re designed to do.
I think that guidance is more important than prevention so I watch what they’re doing and intervene as necessary. Mindless violence in the vid-clips worries me and some of these clips are circulated among the kids at school on CDs too. I stopped them from playing Grand Theft Auto and tell them outright, no shooting or war games (if you want to kill people, you can join the army when you’re 16). They comply and follow the rules when they understand these come from you and not a machine.
Parental control software may convenient but it’s no substitute for involvement with your kids. Your kids need you, not software solutions.
Florian, thank you for the kind words and adding my feed to your news reader. I hope you enjoy it. -Roland
Hello Mark,
Thank you for posting your thoughts. I think you raise some good points:
- Scrutinize everything the children have access to.
- Be present as much as possible.
- Don’t be afraid to say no.
- Find out what the children are being exposed to at school or a friend’s house.
Ultimately, parents cannot be too vigilant.
We recently bought a Play Station 2 for our four sons. Right now, all the games are rated “E for Everyone”, which is light cartoon violence. For example, Lego Star Wars II, a really fun game, has characters blowing each other up with blasters and cutting each other up with light sabers. Describing it sounds horrifying, but to watch it is actually a bit funny.
There’s no blood/guts/gore. I guess since the characters are Lego people that break apart, make clinking sounds and re-assemble on the spot, it sort of softens the horror of the underlying concept. My kids laugh hysterically.
Good luck with your four children!
Roland