Kid Safe Internet Guide

Windows Computer Setup -- You can create a password protected "limited" user account for each child. If adults are not sharing the computer with their kids, permanently remove any software that the children will not or should not use. If you are using Windows Vista, see How-To Set-Up Parental Controls for web restrictions, time limits, games and to allow or block specific programs. Microsoft Windows SteadyState is a free of charge download for Windows XP and Vista that can help protect your family from inappropriate Web content and contact on the Web; protects your computer settings from unwelcome changes by your children; and can return your family computer and hard disk to the condition it was before your children changed it... just restart your computer.

ISP Features -- Does your Internet service provider (ISP) offer features like filters for web content, email viruses and spam? You should compare their content filter (if any) with free online services and content filtering software (see below). You can use their email spam/virus filtering in addition to filters installed on your computer. For better protection, use software from a different vendor on your computer than the one being used by your ISP.

Search Engines -- You can set up a kid's computer to use child safe search engines like Kids Click! Ask for Kids, and Google (use safe search filtering & save preferences).

Free Online Content Filtering Services -- Take a look at Open DNS and Blue Cost's K9 Web Protection for free online content filters.

• K9 Web Protection 4.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, May 27, 2009
• Blue Coat's Software Products Add Link Analysis, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, April 21, 2009
• When Blocking Porn Isn't Enough, Brian Krebs, Security Fix, Washington Post, February 26, 2008
• A Software-Free Approach to Blocking Online Porn, Brian Krebs, Security Fix, Washington Post, June 15, 2007

Install a Content Filter

• Spector Pro 2009 [parental], Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, July 6, 2009
• How to Buy Parental-Control Software, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, May 14, 2009
• OnlineFamily.Norton, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, May 1, 2009
• Net Nanny 6.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, November 24, 2008 -- editor's choice
• CyberPatrol Parental Controls 7.7, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, November 5, 2008
• 12 Tools to Keep Kids Safe Online, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, March 4, 2008 -- Bsafe Online, iShield 2.0, iShield Plus 2.0, Kidswatch Parental Computer Control, Net Nanny 5.6 (editor's choice), NoodleNet, PC Pandora, Safe Chat Universal Messenger with Parental Controls, Safe Eyes 5.0 (editor's choice), Sentry At Home, SnoopStick & Webroot Parental Controls.
• Parental Control Software Reviews, Consumer Search, February 2008.
• Macintosh, see Intego -- NetBarrier (firewall+), Virus Barrier, Personal AntiSpam, Chat Barrier, Content Barrier, DiskGuard, FileGuard, Personal Backup and Internet Security Barrier (several suites).

Internet Security Suites -- Many of these products include content filters. See our Internet Security & Utility Suites page for links to vendors and reviews of more than 20 products. Using a Broadband Gateway (hardware & software combo) with security features is another option.

Articles & Resources

• Web-monitoring tool gathers data on kid chats, Deborah Yao, AP, MSNBC, September 4, 2009
• Tech Firms Report on How to Keep Kids Safe Online, Chloe Albanesius, PC Magazine, July 8, 2009; and the Point smart Click Safe report July 2009
• Most Parents Ignore Parental Controls for Kids, Carrie-Ann Skinner, PC Advisor, PC World, June 27, 2009
• What Parents Should Know about Safe Console Gaming, Matthew Sarrel, PC Magazine, January 5, 2009
• Security Tips and Tricks for Everyone, Matthew Sarrel, PC Magazine, November 18, 2008
• A Parent's Guide to Safe, Simple Kid-Friendly E-Mail, Rick Broida, PC World, November 5, 2008
• Beyond Parental Controls, Christopher Breen, MacWorld, October 24, 2008
• Child-Safe Browsers, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, July 15, 2008
• 7 Rules for MySpace Parents, Lance Ulanoff, PC Magazine, June 25, 2008
• Tech Firms focus on cyberbullying, Robert Lemos, Security Focus, June 4, 2008
• Facebook, states set predator safeguards, Stephenie Reitz, AP, MSNBC, May 8, 2008
• Stupid hacker tricks, part two: The folly of youth, Andrew Brandt, Computerworld, May 6, 2008
• Virginia Tries to Ensure Students' Safety in Cyberspace, Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, May 3, 2008
• Protect Your Family, Microsoft
• Computers & the Internet: Privacy & Security, US FTC
• A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety, US FBI