Sexperience - Protect Kids from !!!!!!

chunter

http://sexperienceuk.channel4.com/protect-from-!!!!!!
Just caught the tail end of this and was wondering if anybody had any new tips on this.

• EG new settings in the new version of IE8,
• Firefox plugins
• Free and paid for software

Stuff which does the very difficult job of letting parents control what their chidren can see and do on the internet..

spaceraiders

You're better off teaching kids to avoid bad stuff themselves than relying on a computer. If kids really really want to see something, they'll find a way, so software like this isn't very useful. Explain to them what they should and shouldn't do online and why. They're going to run into things like this eventually so there's no point pretending like it doesn't exist. Maybe keep the home PC in the living room for a while, browse the internet with your kids and get involved with what they're doing.

elvch01

I agree 100% with spaceraiders here, good parental guidance is the first resort.

Being a techie, I have set up a proxy server at home and all web access is done through the proxy. I don't actually block sites, but always look through the logs to see what my 14 year old has been up to. The occasional question by me about what this or that web site about reminds her that I can see what she is doing online I use Thinkertec Spypal http://www.thinkertec.com/ which records MSN/AOL chat conversations on her PC & will also record all keystrokes & take screenshots if required.

I have installed Bluecoat K9 http://www1.k9webprotection.com/ for my sister's kids. Its free & it works very well for web protection

butterbeanmash

Oh, that's brilliant from Channel 4! How commendably socially responsible!
Perhaps they might consider their marketing tactics regarding 'Adult Content' rated programs; 'Skins' contains drug abuse, sex, alcohol and strong language, yet the trailers are on before the watershed, there is no age check on the (18s only) website (it takes seconds to check the electoral roll-ask the cc companies), it can be watched 24/7 by anyone online, and the 'skins messenger buddy' can only be aimed at younger teens.
I'm no prude, but I think that their direct targetting of an inappropriate audience borders on the criminal.