Parental Controls for computers....

[Dennis Peacock]

I have decided to leave their computer covered by CyberPatrol AND OpenDNS. I have my computer covered by OpenDNS and I like the way it works.

Thanks for all your input and advice.

[Eric DeSilva]

While I have no experience with filtering, I ran across this today and thought it might be of interest--they arrive at the same OpenDNS solution. It is an article from GeekDad, a subset of Wired's website for fathers, and the authors typically know their tech:

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/09...rnet-filtering

[Darius Ferlas]

I'm one of those Dennis did not want to hear from, but since he seems to have found what he was looking for I'll throw in my whatever it's worth the old $0.02 in today's economy.

I think I can also consider myself a geek dad but it seems like I have violated each and every rule in the article. My daughter has had her own computer in her bedroom since she was 8 and her own laptop when she was 14. She's 21 now.

We are a small family of 3, each of us has a personal laptop and there is a computer pretty much in every room. We have used the same approach as Dan, a few posts above, and I have never used any content filtering as I don't believe censorship. I am not into porn and I consider it a waste of time, but then is pornography the worst a child can experience on the net (or TV). How about war victims shown all over the place, idiotic so called "reality" shows, or even some verses for various religious writings. Now that is some scary stuff. How does one decide which is more harmful to a young mind? I recognize that each parent is in a position to set moral standards for their kids. I just never found a standard that would lend itself to having children baby-sat by a machine or by a piece of software.

The time that kids spend at home is only a part of their day. I much preferred to discuss issues with my daughter, instead of blocking a part of reality from her. In short, I use HER as the content filter, and it has worked beautifully. She's grown to be a responsible and hard working young lady. Just a few weeks ago she came back from Europe where she was on a scholarship. She left when she was 19 so it would have been pretty silly of me to censor her internet access. At 19 she could vote in the federal elections so censoring her would be kinda iffy? Besides, how would I do that when she's in England next summer for her master degree?

As for the OpenDNS, while it's not 100% bullet proof it can work quite well in organizations such as schools or libraries etc. In a home environment it is an completely different matter. CyberPatrol is even less secure. For a motivated kid, content filtering software if a minor obstacle. I'd say the main value is for the parents who, unfortunately, achieve a false sense of security for their kids.

[Rod Sheridan]

Dennis, I think you've already done one of the most important things, you've put the computer in the common room.

I have two daughters 25 and 23, so they were coming of age during the Internet revolution.

I didn't use any blocking methods, just a bit of random observation and many discussions about what's out there and why some of it's not appropriate.

As others have said, your children will access it at other locations if they want to.

I'm sure you've instilled a great set of values in your children, now you have to sit back and watch the results of your efforts. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how great your children are, and what a great job you've done as a father.

regards, Rod.

[Dennis Peacock]

Rod,
Thanks for your kind words. The LOML and I have always taken our roles as parents very seriously. We strive to always be a part of our kids lives. To love them no matter what and to encourage them to always do the best they can, tell the truth no matter what, and to love and serve others as best they know how.

Some may say that I'm a bit strict and that my kids will see what they want to see...when they want to see it when they are away from my house. I say fine then....but at least they won't have free reign to look at "that stuff" in my house and on my dollar. We talk with our kids, we hold family meetings to discuss any and every topic. We even create tests to give our kids to see what they think about things such as "how would you make our family better?" or something like "what could dad do to be a better dad to you?" and we talk things out. We strive to be open and honest on every topic.

My feelings are that they will be "exposed" to the "world" at some point in their lives....they just don't need over exposure while they are young and developing into their own person and adults.

I stand by my kids....I walk with my kids....and I give them all the love and encouragement I can possibly give them. They may fall....but by every ounce in me....I'll be there to catch them and help them recover from their fall.

Thanks for your attention, feedback, and opinions. I now consider this topic closed. Much appreciated.

[Phyllis Meyer]

Like Rod, our two daughters ages 22 & 24 did not have all the stuff on the computer that is on there today. They used the computer to type out school work (oh where did those days go)?

Parents, please watch your children and do put the computer in a common room and teach them the do's and don'ts. Technology is wonderful but unfortunately it can also be so harmful at the same time!

Sincerely,
Phyllis

[Jim Becker]

Now that the girls have their own computers, I use K9 (free) for parental controls. (It's not a good choice for a shared machine if you want different settings for different users, however) I also have the parental controls turned on in ZoneAlarm. So far, K9 has been rock-solid and since it's a managed product, any attempts to circumvent or remove it result in an email to the parental-units from the nice folks at K9...

We also use Zoobuh.com for the girls' email and have access to other email, including web-mail, turned off in the parental control products. Zoobuh provides various limits and controls, including transparent copies of all email in and out sent to the parental-units if desired and control of who the child(ren) can sent and receive email from.

The older daughter's iPod Touch is covered by MobiCIP to provide parental control restrictions similar to K9. It completely replaces the browser.

While I use OpenDNS for, well...DNS...I have not implemented their content controls, largely because of potential interference with Professor Dr. SWMBO's research needs while working at home. But it's a good system for adding yet another layer of "protection".