EmailBest Reviewed
Parental Control Software
- Best parental control software CyberPatrol 7.6 *Est. $40
- Best for multiple computers Safe Eyes 5.0 *Est. $50
- Easiest parental filter to use Net Nanny 5.6 *Est. $50
- Integrated parental controls Windows Vista Parental Controls *Est. $100
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Best for multiple computers
- Can be installed on up to three computers
- Remote changes become effective immediately
- Available for Mac users
- Not the most versatile
- Does not analyze data in real time
A few expert sources say Safe Eyes 5.0 parental control software is the best program of its kind, and it is also one of the few programs available for Mac users. The main advantage of Safe Eyes over the similarly well-rated CyberPatrol 7.6 (*est. $40 per year) is that this program can be controlled from a remote location, and remote changes become effective immediately -- which is helpful if you're at work and your child needs access to a blocked site or some extra time online. It's also a good choice if you need to block content on more than one computer (the license allows you to install it on up to three computers at the same time.) You can also create up to 10 user profiles. If you need to block access to hard-drive content as well as websites, reviewers recommend CyberPatrol.
The most thorough and convincing review of Safe Eyes 5.0 parental control software is at PC Magazine, which tests this program against others of the same kind. MoralMetric.com, a website devoted to appropriate web content for kids, also discusses Safe Eyes 5.0 in depth.
Our Sources
Neil Rubenking looks at 12 applications and devices for keeping kids safe online. He says the latest version of Safe Eyes 5.0 offers worthwhile improvements over its excellent predecessor, such as the ability to maintain profiles for up to 10 users. Most other parental control programs are not as well received.
Review: Twelve Tools to Keep Kids Safe Online, Neil J. Rubenking, Mar. 4, 2008
MoralMetric's editors test and report on a wide variety of parental control software and invite readers to submit their own comments. Safe Eyes 5.0 is described as having the best notification system, but this review appears to be of the previous version.
Review: Web Safety Product Reviews, Editors of MoralMetric.com, Jan. 25, 2007
