hi, as ive just recieved the little ones christmas laptop, its got windows7 on it, she’s 10 so im wanting some restrictions
Any recomendations or tips welcome as its a first for me
ta

its already a feature of w7
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/features/parental-controls.aspx

acht, thats excelent thanks, its still in the box so will have a check when theyre sleeping
🙂

the only thing you may want to add is a website black list controller.

Im sure they exist, but since Stoner Jr is only 3, I havent had to get any software yet. But if I do catch him surfing unacceptable sites like Lazytown, Ill be quick to install some.

“Put the laptop down and step away from the pron” usually works in my household.

Seriously though when our 10 year old uses the laptop he’s either in the living room or the dining room, and whilst neither wifey or myself directly observe what he is on the sounds effects are often the giveaway – the click of lego bricks on Lego Digital Designer for example, or the incessant music on Club Penguin. Homework websites are easy enough, he gets bored after 5 minutes and usually shuts the laptop down!!!

I guess what I’m saying is software is good, but equally important is keeping a kid on their toes, if they use a computer in an open access part of the house they’re less likely to access dodgy stuff than if they’re allowed to slope off into their bedrooms for hours on end.

but since Stoner Jr is only 3, I havent had to get any software yet.

you reckon?

I thought you were looking for software to control your parents 😯

I find a quick prod with a sharp stick does the trick 😉

its hard to tell where his porn stops and mine starts I ‘spose.

The glubble extension for firefox is pretty good.

We did this site for a client (launched just before Windows 7 came out).

http://www.thelearningbubble.co.uk/

It does have some benefits over the Windows standard stuff if you feel you want more comprehensive control.

I’ve not been at all impressed with Windows 7 parental control. For a start it blocked Word, unrequested. I also now get an email every day asking me, on behalf of my daughter, to unblock Facebook. Even though I removed all restrictions a week ago.

A few years ago I tried the Norton version but binned that when it blocked the CBBC site. I’d hope it would be better now.

The best parental control is having the child and computer where you can see them, and see what they’re looking at. Kids are usually smarter than their parents at hacking stuff.

Stoner – since you’re on here (or any other parents with similar aged kids), any recommendations for computer games or fun stuff for a 3 year old? Flying to Fuertaventura next week, and looking for something to keep him occupied on the flight.

The best parental control is having the child and computer where you can see them, and see what they’re looking at

Not that I’m suggesting that’s not the best thing (like Stoner I’ve yet to reach the stage where it’s a problem), but alternatively or in addition, how about some remote desktop software, so you can watch what they’re doing without having to look over their shoulder? Especially handy if they don’t know it’s there and you can make it seem like you have ESP.

Just had a look at that learning bubble, that’s more along my train of thought and looks good, she loves youtube but I only allow it on my laptop when in sight at the moment- thank the maker for earphones as I’m sick of miley sirus and charlie bit my finger, school now has a dedicated login for homework which is good- its the way the world is moving, I still mind unwrapping my zx48 and tape player……..crazy

Hi aracer.

We just use a portable DVD player and some bob the b or Thomas the t. A handful of books and some colouring in pads and crayons. Stoner Jr hasnt started on computers and computer games yet.

I might look at some of the entry level stuff for this Xmas when he turns four.

When your kids disable this software, setup their own user account which you cant access dont take it as an offense. Take it as a compliment that by placing a barrier in their way you have forced them to learn to adapt and change.

I could have taken parental control software off when I was 10 without any issues and im not some super genius 😉

http://www.opendns.com/ takes care of everything on your network.

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/ works a treat.

Just had a look at that learning bubble, that’s more along my train of thought and looks good

If you try the free trial (and/or purchase it) do email me to let me know your thoughts – it was launched by our landlord and a friend of his and we would really welcome any feedback (good or bad) that you have.

hi, as ive just recieved the little ones christmas laptop, its got windows7 on it, she’s 10 so im wanting some restrictions

Can I ask what you’re worried she might do? she is only ten after all… we’ve found trust and respect works in this household, two kids; one 15 the other 13 and no (software) parental control.

[edit] sorry, just re-read that, seems like I’m being smug but I’m not 😳 [/edit]

It’s often not about what you think they will do intentionally, but what they might “stumble across”. Google is pretty powerful but can give some interesting results. I recall some years ago looking for some camping gear and typing in www[dot]blacks[dot.com – NOT SFW!!!

As mentioned above, keep the laptop in view is the best system. We also have opendns (again, as mention above), which works well, plus if set up in the router means that it covers the whole home network (so things like DS, Wii are covered).

CountZero – Member
The best parental control is having the child and computer where you can see them, and see what they’re looking at.

+1 for this.

We trust our daughter.

@druidh, thanks for another site to, ahem, research 😉

it is a good point (apologies to the OP for my heavy handedness), although if my kids stumbled across that I’d trust them not to go any further, maybe I live in cloud cuckoo land though

+1 to OpenDNS. Set it on your router and it’ll apply to the whole network.