Thread: Controlling interest

Advice is all very well, but what about practical steps? Those of us who have children will have to let them use a computer alone at some point, so it's vital to take some practical measures to ensure they're protected.

One good solution is to use software that can keep an eye on what kids are doing on the computer, block certain actions and report back to you on what's been going on. This kind of program is generally called parental control software.

There's a wide range of programs available ranging from simple monitoring, which just lets you know what kids were doing and which websites they've been visiting, to more intrusive ones that can actively block them from doing certain things
with the computer. Ultimately, which approach is best is a matter of personal preference: some adults might like to see what's going and will sit children down and explain why certain sites are bad; others may prefer it if children never visit certain types of sites in the first place.



Remember that the internet isn't just the web; there's chat and email, too, and some parental control systems can restrict access to those. There are programs that keep a database of key information, such as your address and phone number, then block any attempt to send it out via email or Instant message. Other systems, ideal for computers located in children's bedrooms, can limit whether the computer can access the internet - or even whether the computer can do anything at all- between certain hours.

And whether it's viruses, games or file sharing you're worried about, parental controls can stop that too; many of the packages available can be set up so that children can has a second, but extremely handy, advantage: by limiting access to certain programs you can prevent children from accidentally damaging your work in an accounts program, for example.