Blocking teenagers from certain internet sites?

Katgoddess

A work collegue of mine is having problems with his children playing RuneScape when they are meant to be using the computer for homework.

Parenting issues aside (i told him to ban them from the computer and send them to the library for homework), is there any decent programme that will block unsuitable websites esp specific ones. The teenagers are more web savvy than the parents.

TIA

nickmack

There are quite a few programs such as Net Nanny etc, someone may be able to recommend one.

If a proxy server isn't used then a simple way is to edit the hosts file. Do a file search for a file named hosts (no extension) on your C drive, open it with notepad, after the last line in the file add:

127.0.0.1 https://www.runescape.com

and save it. This will redirect the page to the local computer. Not 100% foolproof but likely to stop pesky kids! Useful if you don't want to install blocking applications.

thewizard

If you have a Wi-Fi router then you can block the URL using that aswell.

albertross_2

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=138709&highlight=%7E%7E%7E%7E%7E%40

opportunity_cost

I think they'll be fighting a losing battle if they go down that route. The kids will eventually find out about proxies or methods to disable the protection. Banning them from the computer would only make them rebel and hate their parents and it could break down essential communication lines in the family.

There's nothing wrong with the kids playing a game on the computer. They're just kids after all and times are changing. Computer games are part of modern society and are no less valid than dolls, action man figures or board games.

Introducing play time slots and the parents taking an interest in the kids hobbies and helping out with homework would be a much more sensible option.

Katgoddess

albertross wrote:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=138709&highlight=%7E%7E%7E%7E%7E%40

Thanks for the link. That's the sort of software he needs.

Thanks for your help everyone :beer: