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allowance, a weekly matrix of permissible times, or a
combination of the two. Some let you set an allowance
in minutes, and others use half-hour or hour blocks.
And some let you separately schedule overall computer
usage, Internet usage, and individual programs. Of
course, if a program lets the kids change the system
clock, all bets are off; the best products defend against
such chicanery.
Look for a solution that supports multiple users so
you don’t have to put the same restrictions on a teenager
that you do on a preschooler. User accounts may
be tied to Windows accounts, or they may require a
separate log-on; the best products give you both options.
And of course, anything designed for parental
control should log users off automatically when there’s
no activity.
Invade Their Privacy
Activity logging may feel a bit like reading your child’s
diary, but virtually all parental-control programs do it
to some degree. They’ll at least log Web sites visited
and any attempts to reach blocked Web sites. They
may also log the time spent using specific programs,
record both sides of IM or e-mail conversations, or
even record every keystroke typed, along with which
program it was typed in. If you opt for activity logging,
make sure the logs are stored where kids can’t modify
or delete them.
If the content filter mistakenly blocks a site needed
for research, or if your child runs out of computer time
before running out of homework, remote management
can be a lifesaver. Many modern parental-control systems
let you view reports and change settings from any
browser. They may even notify you by e-mail, phone,
or text message when specific events occur, such as
multiple attempts to reach blocked sites.
Of course, none of the restrictions mean squat if
the kids can break the parental-control system. Firewalls
and antimalware programs have to resist attack
by hackers and viruses—parental controls need to be
just as tough. Your kids may know more about computers
than you do, so you’ll want a product that’s hardened
against meddling.—NJR
STAY AWAY!
OTHER
OPTIONS
CONTENT FILTERING
ContentProtect
This full-featured parental-control
app analyzes
Web-page text in real
time and applies categories
on a per-page basis.
$39.99 per year
go.pcmag.com/
contentprotect
CyberSitter 9.0
Un changed for years, this former Editors’ Choice no longer measures up.
$39.95 direct. go.pcmag.com/cybersitter90 lllmm
NetNanny 5
No Web filtering by category, no improvements in years—no thanks.
$39.95 direct. go.pcmag.com/netnanny5 llhmm
Chaperone Pro 5
What’s worse—that it lacks many common features, or that it’s easy to hack?
$59.95 direct. go.pcmag.com/chaperonepro5 lhmmm
ANALYST’S VIEW
BY NEIL J. RUBENKING
IDON’T KNOW HOW LONG MY KIDS
would stay on the computer if I let them—
I’ve never waited long enough to find out!
I’ve tried all sorts of techniques for anchoring
them in the real world: changing their
passwords, rewarding good behavior with
“computer time tokens,” and limiting nonhomework
computer use to weekends.
One thing I haven’t done is automate the limits, because
I can see their computer from my home-office
desk. If I didn’t have the luxury of direct supervision,
however, I’d consider a time-limiting utility.
lllhm
As for where they go on the Internet, I’m reluctant
to apply filtering software. Site-category databases
GRAPHICS BLOCKER
iShield
can lag behind reality, so a new site or one that has
Blocks pornographic changed from kiddie games to kiddie porn might not
images rather than be blocked.
pornographic text. Use
And these utilities can err the other way, too, preventing
acces to perfectly innocent sites. Some have
it with a text-based or
URL-based Web filter.
$24.95
even been accused of promoting their own agendas,
go.pcmag.com/ishield inappropriately blocking topics such as feminism, gay
lllhm
rights, or progressive politics.
ACCESS CONTROL
The real-time approach, categorizing pages by
PC Moderator
analyzing text, may be more timely, though sites with
This gadget is the best text in images can fool it. And it’s only useful when the
way we’ve found to control
time spent on the
software analyzes entire pages to derive meaning from
PC, but that’s all it does. words in context.
Still, it accom plishes I have no patience for applications that block
its mission well, and pages because they contain keywords—and those
that earns it an Editors’ that find keywords within other words are even worse.
Choice.
$79.95 analog, $89.95 To illustrate, here’s an example using a nonoffensive
digital
word: Put the term “reside” on the keyword list, and
go.pcmag.com/
the software might block sites containing “president.”
pcmoderator
Pointless!
llllh
I’m on the fence about activity logging. If I were
an employer, I’d have to notify employees they were
being logged, and there still could be ethical issues if I
recorded private e-mail and IM conversations. Perhaps
the situation’s different for my preteen kids, but what
about when they get older?
There’s no substitute for actually paying attention
to what your children are doing. But when you can’t
be there to cast a watchful eye, software can control
how and when they use their computers and can track
what they do.
Still, don’t forget this one important fact: Your
kids are smart. You need to talk with them about
their favorite Web sites, and you should ask what
they’ve discovered each day. Explain why you’re
imposing restrictions. Let them know if their IM
conversations aren’t private. And hope they’re
not so smart that they can hack whatever parental-control
software you do decide to use.
Neil J. Rubenking is a lead analyst at PC Magazine.
YYePG Proudly Presents, Thx for Support
MAY 9, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 45