Perhaps the word “control” sounds a bit strong, but we all know very well that the little ones at home need to keep some distance from certain places on the web. Depending on the platform, there are dozens of solutions focused on parental control, and although in each case it makes sense to make a compromise, the peace of mind that a father or mother might gain in return should not be taken lightly.
It is one of the most important dilemmas every parent will face. Do we let curiosity and creativity expand without limits, or do we place small dams in the way to redirect all that energy toward a good destination? The first mistake many parents make with parental control is that they interpret it as some kind of “definitive replacement” for “their” supervision, and nothing could be further from the truth. Parental control makes mistakes. Sometimes it lets things slip that should be restricted, and at other times it blocks safe content. Today we are going to make some suggestions about parental control tools, but we must not lose sight of the underlying truth: Parental control is a parental “complement”, and it needs help.
It all starts with Windows...
Few users know this, mostly due to communication problems from Redmond, but the major versions of Windows already have a built-in parental control solution. Session time limits, blocks on specific programs, and game restrictions are the main parameters to manage, and they are applied “by profile”, meaning the child in question must have their own user account. Remember to protect each profile with a password; otherwise, switching to a less protected account will be very easy...
KidFox
Matías recently told us about KidFox, but this is an excellent opportunity to review what it's about. KidFox is Mozilla's native parental control solution for its Firefox 42 browser. If your household uses an Android 4.3 tablet, KidFox will rely on the so-called “restricted profiles” to implement a series of limits on the browser. We're not yet sure if KidFox will make it to desktop versions, and the build 42 of Firefox for Android isn't on the store yet, but it's an option to consider in the short term.
K9 Web Protection
**K9 Web Protection** has been around for a while and hasn't lost its good reputation. The most important difference compared to other products is that it doesn't apply blocks on profiles, but on content. Its online database helps filter items divided into more than seventy categories, blocks offensive searches, applies time limits, and keeps a detailed log of all activity. K9 Web Protection doesn't impact system performance, has versions compatible with mobile devices, and is also free.
Avira Social Network Protection
Many parental control tools focus on limiting access to web content in general, but what about social networks? Facebook and Twitter can be particularly toxic places, courtesy of the traditional troll. Avira Social Network Protection is the successor to the old SocialShield, and its main goal is to present a complete summary of our child's activities on social networks. Comments, posts, chats, photos, and new friends are all recorded. The catch here is that you'll need to get your child's approval to install the module on Facebook... or do it without them knowing. It's a delicate point; don't get into trouble.
LeechBlock
In addition to offering several functions to block access to certain sites, LeechBlock adds a twist to parental control, acting as an anti-procrastination system. If your children are supposed to study at the computer but end up killing zombies in some Flash game, LeechBlock will show the corresponding warning. It's probably the solution that requires the most effort from a parent when configuring it, but that translates into greater flexibility. Compatible only with Firefox.
And we're just getting started. Many computer security companies have also created their own parental control tools, so don't be surprised to find resources from ESET or Symantec. To close this section, we must not forget this: It's an arms race. I was once a kid, and if my parents tried to impose a block, my mission would be nothing other than to find a way around it. Back then, my mom simply used to steal my keyboard. Today I don't think it's that simple. Good luck!
