Parental Control Software Information

Many education, privacy, first amendment, library and civil liberties organizations argue against filtering and monitoring software. Many recommend parental guidance as an alternative. Other alternative strategies mentioned in reviews include keeping your computer in public view (rather than in a child's bedroom), setting up family rules for web usage and talking openly with your children about what they're doing online.

Router-based filtering and stealth monitoring programs are becoming increasingly popular. Most wireless routers, especially those from Linksys, come with some parental controls. You need to activate this feature and renew the subscription each year, but if you already own a wireless router (or plan to buy one), you might check for this feature.

Most Internet security suites also include parental control software. Reviews say these modules are not as effective as standalone programs, but if you plan to buy other security software, you might check out the suites' parental filters before investing in additional software. Unfortunately, reviews of Internet security suites do not usually include detailed reviews of the parental control modules, so it can be hard to find good information on their strengths and weaknesses compared to standalone programs. Some Internet service providers offer Internet security suites as part of their subscription package.

The newest operating systems for Macintosh and PC computers, Leopard and Vista respectively, now come with parental controls integrated into the system software. If you're buying an upgrade to your OS or a new computer, you might want to try the integrated parental control features before purchasing a standalone program. Still, standalone programs may offer some features that these operating systems do not.

The Buzz

The popularity of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook present new challenges to parents of teens and tweens. MySpace does not offer age verification, which would prevent access by those under age 14, MySpace's stated age limit. In January 2008, MySpace signed an agreement with the attorneys general of 49 states to provide better management of underage users on the site. It remains to be seen how this will play out in coming months, but CYBERsitter's CEO, who developed a V-Token technology that would make age verification possible, says he presented the software to MySpace and they weren't interested. (See Best Research below for the news story.)

GetNetWise.org has explanations of the various kinds of blocking software. It also has a complete feature-by-feature breakdown of dozens of web filters, but no critical reviews.

CyberAngels.org assists parents with information and additional resources to keep kids safe while surfing.

ProtectKids.com offers information and tips to keep kids safe while surfing, as well as links to information regarding recent legislation pertaining to online protections.

Peacefire is devoted to a universal filtering-software blocker, thus allowing the free browsing of the Internet by machines with installed filtering applications. You can find information here regarding the status of the law and available software.

ConnectSafely offers tips and information for parents and teens about safety on the Internet. It also offers forums for discussing Internet safety. Information on MySpace and other social networking sites is included. The focus is on information and communication.

The article, "Guards for the cyber playground," from Australia's The Age newspaper offers advice and discusses solutions provided by the Australian government.

The American Library Association has information and links to resources.

This news article discusses the new agreement between the attorneys general and MySpace where the social networking site agrees to implement better controls for underage users. CYBERsitter's CEO is skeptical, saying he has developed the technology to make this feasible but MySpace and other similar sites were not interested.

Software developers' websites:

Blue Coat (K9 Web Protection)

Bsafe Online

Crawler Parental Control

CyberPatrol

Integard

Leopard parental controls

Net Nanny

Parental Control Bar

Safe Eyes

Solid Oak Software (CYBERsitter)

Vista parental controls