New Parental Controls Nix the Fear, Up the Features
From simple content filters to robust home network solutions, new parental controls offer a range of media-management options.
February 10, 2014 
Many parents subscribe to the "cross your fingers and hope for the
best" philosophy of managing their kids' online access. But even if
you've had the conversations around screen-time limits, responsible online behavior,
and safety precautions, it's still really tough to manage what kids do
when you're not there (and even when you are). Parental controls -- the
real, technical kind -- can support you in your efforts to keep your
kids' Internet experiences safe, fun, and productive. They work best
when used openly and honestly in partnership with your kids.
Thankfully, a new crop of parental controls offers a lot more features and flexibility than previous versions that were overly restrictive and too easy to defeat and that preyed on parents' fears about online risks. These updated solutions also reflect a new, more progressive philosophy about parental controls: They're way more pro-Internet and less fear-mongering. Of course, nothing is entirely fail-safe -- and you'll still want to have conversations about making good choices.
Only you can determine the level of protection you need for your family. Here's a primer:
Thankfully, a new crop of parental controls offers a lot more features and flexibility than previous versions that were overly restrictive and too easy to defeat and that preyed on parents' fears about online risks. These updated solutions also reflect a new, more progressive philosophy about parental controls: They're way more pro-Internet and less fear-mongering. Of course, nothing is entirely fail-safe -- and you'll still want to have conversations about making good choices.
Only you can determine the level of protection you need for your family. Here's a primer:
- Operating systems: Both Microsoft's Windows and
Apple's Mac OS come with built-in parental controls. When you create
user accounts, you can select different protections for different users.
To get the most benefits, you need to use the most updated version of
the operating system. The Android operating system doesn't have built-in
controls -- but there are many parental-control apps for Android.
Good to know: Operating-system parental controls work well because they apply globally to everything the computer accesses.
Good for: All ages.
- Web browsers: Browsers -- that software you use to
go online -- offer different ways of filtering out websites you don't
want your kids to visit. Safari, Chrome, and Internet Explorer all allow
you to type in specific websites and domains (which apply to whole
categories of sites, such as porn) that you want to block. If you use
Firefox, you need to download an add-on, because the basic browser does
not offer content filters.
Good to know: Browser-specific solutions don't carry over to other browsers. So if you have more than one browser on your machine, you need to enable filters on all of them.
Good for: Younger kids. Older kids -- especially very determined ones -- can easily defeat browser restrictions either by figuring out your password or simply downloading a new browser.
- Kids' browsers: Sometimes called "walled gardens,"
these are protected environments that fill up your entire screen (so
kids can't click out of them). They're sort of a cross between an
operating system and a browser designed specifically for kids with
games, preapproved websites, email, and various activities. Examples
include Zoodles, Kido'z, and Kidzui.
Good to know: Kids' browsers are typically free for the basic version, but they cost money (usually a monthly subscription fee) for a premium upgrade. The ones that are entirely free usually offer content that the company has licensed from a kid-friendly provider -- and may display ads or promotional content.
Good for: Younger kids. Walled gardens are too limiting for older kids who need (or are allowed) greater access to the wider Web.
- Computer-software controls: These are the classic,
full-featured parental-control programs that let you block websites,
impose screen-time limits, and monitor online activity (for example,
which sites your kid visits). Many of these programs also offer added
security against malware and viruses and will send you a summary of what
your kid did online. Products in this category include NetNanny, Qustodio, Safe Eyes, and BSecure.
Good to know: Because they are so full-featured, computer-software-controls programs carry a high initial cost plus a monthly subscription fee.
Good for: Kids of all ages -- and especially kids who need a lot of support in following your rules.
- Mobile devices: Some mobile devices have
rudimentary parental controls -- but the options vary a lot depending on
what you have. At the very least, without downloading anything extra,
you may be able to prevent unwanted purchases (including in-app
purchases), restrict what kind of content can be downloaded (M-rated
games, for example), and delete or hide apps and functions you don't
want your kid to use (such as video chatting). Amazon's growing family
of Kindle Fire tablets come preloaded with Kindle FreeTime parental
controls.
Good to know: To add content filters to your kids' mobile device, you'll need to disable its existing browser and download a kid-friendly browser or a content-filtering app such as Mobicip (Apple), AVG Family Safety (Windows), or Kid Mode: Kids Games and Videos (Android).
Good for: Younger kids. Once kids get older, they will either resist any attempt to limit their access or simply figure out a way to defeat what you've restricted.
- Home networking: Having trouble managing what kids
access on their mobile devices? Are Internet-enabled devices mushrooming
throughout your house? If so, you may want a more robust solution. Take
a look at your Internet router -- that thing that brings the Internet
into your house. You can get a software program such as OpenDNS, which works with your existing router to filter Internet content. Or consider a hardware/software solution such as Skydog,
which lets you manage Internet access and usage for every networked
device and every user. Skydog incorporates Common Sense Media's website
reviews to make it easy for kids stay on age-appropriate sites.
Good to know: These router-based solutions apply to an unlimited number of devices in the house connected by WiFi (including smartphones), and they prevent unwanted content from entering your home.
Good for: All ages.