Parental Control Software?

[nath]

Does anyone have any experience with any sort of parental control software? Are they all pretty shit as I expect? I've got a client who's been asking about it and I've no idea what's good/effective. Clearly the best method is just to supervise your kid while they're online but are there any reliable programs out there?

Ta in advance.

 

[nath]

Should anyone be interested, I went with the free K9 Web Protection.

K9 Web Protection - Free Internet Filtering and Parental Controls Software

Seems to do a reasonable job - I was at a client and tested it briefly but didn't really want to test it *too* thoroughly and display my intimate knowledge of obscene websites. It knows about tube8 and forces Google on to strict search mode so pretty solid.

 

[phlash]

Given the usual assumption that any PC-based solution won't work for very long when those being 'protected' discover live cd linux distro's... I'd suggest configuring one's broadband access point / router to use this DNS service:

OpenDNS > Solutions > Home Network > Parental Controls

..then of course not revealing the admin password for the router

Having done this, you will find that the 'protected' people quickly learn to go to someone else's house, or start borrowing next doors unencrypted wireless via their lappy (if you've educated them properly!)

My personal experience is that putting the PC in the living area and not allowing them in bedrooms until they are of a sensible age (typically 16+) has worked well.

 

[Yaka]

i went thru this few years back,ended up looking at the chritian edition of ubuntu which had dans guardian and something else running to keep things tight. but keeping pc in living room preety much beats most things safe specialy if its got a case thats lockable