EmailExperts say to look for the following when choosing Internet-filtering software:
- Look for user-selectable access levels and customizable website lists. This will let you tweak lists of blocked sites, as well as adjust the level of restriction as kids mature. Also, look for packages that allow for multiple users at differing levels of filtering. Younger children need more protection; older children need less interference. Most Internet filters allow installation on only one computer, or require you to purchase additional licenses for additional computers. Others, such as Safe Eyes, do allow owners to install the product on up to three systems. Net Nanny discounts its additional licenses to half the cost of the original program.
- Look for filtering of instant messaging and social networking sites. Some of the most insidious online threats are rooted in instant messaging and social networking sites. Predators aim to identify and contact kids, prompting them to divulge phone numbers and addresses. The best Internet filters can block instant messaging entirely or filter chat conversations, alerting parents if suspicious keywords are logged. Most can also record chat conversations for review. Some prevent divulging phone numbers, credit card numbers and addresses. Social networking sites are a concern because of the potential for identifying details to be discovered as well as often-inappropriate content.
- Look for a package that's easy to maintain and update. As your child matures and can handle increasingly sophisticated content on the web, you'll want to keep abreast of product updates. All programs rely on an online database of offensive websites, but the better ones can also intelligently filter content that isn't in its database.
You'll find, as reviewers did, that no parental controls are perfect. While reviews say most do a very good job blocking pornographic websites, they can be less successful at blocking sites involving violence, illegal drugs or hate. Over-blocking, or the blocking of innocuous websites, occurs with every available Internet filter. Under-blocking (when a program misses a website that should have been filtered) is also still a problem, although overall, experts say this has been significantly reduced.
Choice magazine advises parents that over time, programs "learn" what content you want them to block and become more effective, so bear that in mind when you first install software. A tech-savvy teen is unlikely to be able to thwart most current parental control programs, says PC Magazine editor Neil Rubenking. He advises parents to be sure that the software is independent of the web browser; otherwise teens can simply download a new browser and use that instead. Another feature to check is that the software doesn't allow kids to kill a process in Task Manager.