So my cousin’s thinking of getting my 10yo niece internet access for the first time. EEEEEeee it’s a scary cyber world out there…she’s scared. I am scared for her. I suggested getting installed one of those programs that monitor kid’s activities on the internet. Although the computer is kept in a place where adults can keep a watch but still.
Google returns so many options it’s confusing. So can anyone suggest a tried and tested software? and does it really help?
It’s just that she keeps getting loads of homework that needs researching from the internet. I have been helping her for some time. Just yesterday she had to write down ‘3 easy poems by william wordsworth’ which I searched and explained to her word by word. Not saying she could do by herself but that’s they’ll learn right?
I think 10 year old is just too young for the internet… best would be learning the internet, terminology, risks, dangers and safety tips before opening that can of worms. Once it starts, it will never stop and if she gets on facebook, we know life as she knows it, will be over.
There are PLENTY of programs but as I said above, I won’t recommend one and help facilitate destruction of a 10 year old mind on the internet. You should invest some time in that child.
I am using http://www.gomcgruff.com/m/index.asp and netnanny.com for different reasons.
They are equally good. Any one will work. McGruff is better in the sense that you do not have to do data mining which you have to do with netnanny.
None of these family safety software is free. They give you one month free than you have to buy. But they do not provide technical support which you might need when you are configuring the software.
I have reviewed this free software it is lacking one major feature which netnanny and mcgruff offer. You cannot see what your kids are talking about on social media sites like twitter , facebook etc
This is what you need to know too , in case they are talking about some inappropriate things or some predator is trying to play with their fragile minds.
netnanny and mcgruff capture the chats and postings by your kids. which K9webprotection lacks.
You don’t need any software, just put in a few good websites in the bookmarks, change to DNS to point to OpenDNS (http://www.opendns.com/) and let them be. And then just monitor physically (just drop in in person) and guide them on what is right and what isn’t.
You are not always going to be there. Train them to judge right and wrong themselves. You can put a monitoring software on this computer then what if she’s at a different computer? She will get to all the sites that she can’t at home. I’m strictly against jailing!
PS: The Internet is not scary. Its just a part of this world.
Thank you so much for the detailed review. I have noted these two sites.
I agree with you about being against jailing but the story behind the household i’m talking about is complicated. I guess I’m more protected towards her and can’t even imagine her doing something wrong. I will be there hardly to see what I will def bookmark a couple of good websites and yes before all this…the morality lecture.
I didn’t know about the Open DNS…went to the webiste…pretty incredible stuff!! :k:
internet for research purposes is right but im afraid its swallowing away the idea of consulting books, which have more and authentic knowledge to offer. its not that you sit with her every time, but do not entertain this idea much of leaving her over to the internet for all her study purposes. do buy her some generally helpful books related to the sphere of her studies too. Let her use internet but make her aware its books that are more helpful anyway. So that she doesnt end up solely dependent on reaserch through internet (now you know sometimes cyber really acts stupid and unreasonable).
If disconnecting the person from the internet was the solution for security I don’t think we’d be where we are right now. The more you keep someone away from things the more they would go crazy when they can get their hands on it.
My suggestion is to expose them to the online world and give them proper education on what is right and wrong. So when the time comes that you’re not there they won’t go astray.
