Kids and computers

Jennie@ifish · 01-22-2003, 08:24 AM

I still am shocked at what I find on the computer, even by accident. I did a google search on a recipe for something, it listed it... I clicked, and they had turned that domain into a p o r n site.

Net Nanny, and other programs? Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with them?

I feel I have a responsibility to protect my kids from seeing things like this, let alone save myself from the shock factor.

However, I don't want a program that accidently restricts me from sites that are not bad. Does that happen?

I'd like to hear experience, if you have any.
Thanks,
Jen

[ 01-22-2003, 09:24 AM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

Lured In · 01-22-2003, 08:34 AM

Jen I think there is more in this topic than just getting some software to help. In answer to your question, there are some good applications that can help MINIMIZE accidental exposure to explicit sites or other inappropriate material. Generally there are two types, sometimes combined. Those that are subscription based and do URL blocking. Basically a company is constantly updating a databased of sites to be blocked and gets uploaded to your computer. (similar to virus software). Another type does content/lexicon (word) scanning for words that indicate an inappropriate site. Last I heard they were even working on one that would do content scanning for things like percentage of 'flesh tones' being downloaded.

If you have set up user accounts on your computer, (at least in W2K or NT) you can set permissions on IE by user login and can control some of the sites that way.

My kids aren't old enough yet to be on the computer unsupervised, so I have yet to install one of these. One that I did work with in the commercial sector was called 'Web Sense'. I don't know if they make a residential product though.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

lost_sailor · 01-22-2003, 09:54 AM

Here is some information . I downloaded a product called "Window Watcher" - it takes snapshots of the screen while the computer is active. I want to see if there is anything objectionable happening before I have to implement restrictive software (what a pain). This is shareware, costs $25 to register, it seems to have trouble with screen savers ...

01-22-2003, 10:08 AM

The * * * * industry should be forced to use ".* * * : and software should be made to block them.

Why did it *** out P O R N and .X X X?

[ 01-22-2003, 11:10 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

Jennie@ifish · 01-22-2003, 10:17 AM

I'll say it again.
I used a canned word filter, and sometimes it has words that we don't need to be filtered.
It works somewhat like I'm afraid net nanny or the likes, will.

I'll type in "How to get rid of **** " on google, and it will block me out! :smile:

Argh.

Jen

01-22-2003, 10:20 AM

I know Jen :smile: It's just that these words should never have been in there.

Jennie@ifish · 01-23-2003, 04:18 AM

Well... Yes they should have Keta. For some sites. Perhaps not ifish, but I didn't have the time or money to create, or to buy a list specifically designed for ifish.
I change them as I go.
Jen