Keeping Kids Safe Online Breathe a little easier. Today’s parental-control products are more versatile.
Kids use computers for every thing these days, homework, games, chatting with friends. The computer is an invaluable tool but, like any tool, can be misused. Parental- control utilities let parents apply appropriate limits and even monitor exactly what kids are doing on their computers.
Most parental-control utilities block kids from accidentally or deliberately accessing Internet sites in age inappropriate categories- sex and violence, for example. To be effective, this feature must work at the protocol level, independent of which browser is used. Most such programs also control just when the kids can use the computer; the internet or both. Here, too the product must resist tampering, such as by kids finding ways to tweak the system clock. Many of these utilities also offer to block or control use of the instant messaging, though a clever teen will probably find ways to chat regardless.
Parental – monitoring capabilities can range from simply listening Web site visited to record every keystroke. Products that emphasize monitoring may offer an undetectable “stealth mode”. You’ll have to decide how you feel about spying on your kids.
The best products notify you if your kids go ape on the internet while you are at work, and also let you control and let you control their configuration remotely.
Of course, direct parental supervision is the surest way to keep your kids safe on line. But for the time when you can’t directly supervise their computer use, a good parental control salutation is the next best thing.
Ref: PC magazine ,Neil Rubenking