Intro to PC Parental Controls

Lately my strong-willed 4-year-old has been driving me crazy over using the internet. She’s had her own educational software (a discontinued product by Sesame Street) since she was a toddler, so she’s really good with a mouse. Then last summer I introduced her to Tumblebooks to which she immediately became addicted. Then a couple of weeks ago Elmo or Curious George let it slip that there are cool games for preschoolers available at PBSkids.org. Now, she – the same child who forgets what she’s supposed to be doing almost as soon as I’ve told her – is badgering me with perfectly recalled web addresses. But Nick.com is a can of worms I’m not ready to click on yet.

So, I need to set up some Parental Control software for Windows XP (no, I haven’t upgraded to Vista – still waiting for more of the bugs to be resolved). I found a really useful site that describes how to set the Content Advisor (for Internet Explorer only) that comes with Windows (Note: the appearance of the icons has changed but the names are the same). So that would take care of light web usage, but would be cumbersome for managing heavy online browsing and completely useless for limiting computer time. For that, I plan to try Kids PC Time Administrator, one of several free 30-day downloads ($18.95 to keep after the trail period) available from PC Home Software. It claims that I can specify the times my child can use the computer, which is just what I need to end school-morning and bedtime battles. I know: keeping firm boundaries and a close watch does the same thing, but I’m tired of the arguments and grief.

Anyway, if the (free!) Windows’ Content Advisor and relatively inexpensive Kids PC Time software work well together, I should be all set to manage a preschooler’s blossoming internet habit (assuming I set a password on my grown-up no-restrictions user account! More on that later.). But if they don’t give me the control I need then I may have to shell out more cash for something more powerful like Net Nanny (a free 14-day trial is available, $39.99 after that) or BSafe Online ($49.95 for basic protection).

However, my plan is to wait until my child’s online skills are more developed before purchasing a more sophisticated internet filter. By the time I’ll need all the features included with those more expensive software suites, the same money will be able to buy a product that has evolved to handle whatever online dangers exist at that time. At least when it comes to software, I believe it’s better to save the money and buy only what you really need. Otherwise you waste money, disk space and start-up time. Just my 2 cents.

OK, I wish you and your family happy (and safe!) surfing until next time!

Tara