Safety Night From http://www.onguardonline.gov/

Parental Controls

If you're concerned about what your kids — especially elementary school kids — see when they the internet, there are tools to consider. Keep in mind that while parental controls work well for young children, teens who've been online for years probably won't have much trouble working around them or finding other computers to use.

What can you do? Parental control options include:

 Filtering and blocking. These tools limit access to certain sites, words, or images. Some products decide what's filtered; others leave that to parents. Some filters apply to websites; others to email, chat, and instant messaging.  Blocking outgoing content. This software prevents kids from sharing personal information online, in chat rooms, or via email.  Limiting time. This software allows you to limit your kid's time online and set the time of day they can access the internet.  Browsers for kids. These browsers filter words or images deemed inappropriate for kids.  Kid-oriented search engines. These perform limited searches or screen search results for sites and material appropriate for kids.  Monitoring tools. This software alerts parents to online activity without blocking access. Some tools record the addresses of websites a child has visited; others provide a warning message when a kid visits certain sites. Monitoring tools can be used with or without a kid's knowledge.  The best way to protect your kids online is to talk to them. When children want important information, most rely on their parents. Children value the opinions of their peers, but tend to rely on their parents for help on the issues that matter most.  Stay visible / Keep use Visible! Keep computers out of bedrooms – take a look over shoulder at what your kids are doing while online.

Possible Ways to Implement Parental Controls $25 Gift Card from South Hanover Store!

1. Hardware – Your Wireless Router Protects all devices in your household - nothing to install on devices. Provide wireless internet access to all devices in home. Make sure you secure your wireless network with a WEP (ok) or WPA (better) password – see the router user guide manual or call the 1-800 number on the box! Can be “invisible” to kids. More proactive in blocking sites. Customizable web filters – takes time to manage. Costs $.

. Live Parental Controls on Netgear Routers!

• $39 Netgear WGR614 Wireless-G 54Mbps Broadband Router (54 Mbps speed, avg. range) http://www.walmart.com/ip/NETGEAR-WGR614-Wireless-G-54Mbps-Broadband-Router/2304416

• $59 Netgear WNR2000 Wireless-N Router (15x faster, 5x farther range) http://www.walmart.com/ip/Netgear-WNR2000-Wireless-N-Router/10928683

2. Internet Service Provider (ISP) Protects all devices in your household - nothing to install on devices. Can be “invisible” to kids. More effective at monitoring and reacting than preventing. Does provide some category filtering.

. Comcast Cable Internet (Norton Security Suite w/ Online Family - $160 dollar software FREE) ://onlinefamily.norton.com/ $30 year for premium features.

. Verizon Internet (Verizon Internet Security Suite Powered by McAfee - $6/month) http://www22.verizon.com/Residential/Services/SecuritySuite/SecuritySuite.htm

3. Operating System Control access to computer, computer settings, files, applications & programs, internet, mail, etc. Very basic web filtering by major categories. Ways to hide Internet use such as a session. May sometimes make using computer frustrating by blocking legitimate uses of computer.

. Apple (Apple menu  System Preferences Parental Controls) http://gigaom.com/apple/kid-proofing-a-mac-with-parental-controls/

. Windows Vista & 7 (Start  Control Panel  User Accounts and Family Safety  Parental Controls) http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Set-up-Parental-Controls 4. Internet Browser Software (, Windows , Apple , etc.) Provide kid-friendly interface, can protect computer files and programs from “curious” kids. Must be installed on each individual internet device. Only provides online protection – no control over software on computer.

. Firefox Browser Add Ons (Firefox  Tools  Add Ons  Get Add Ons) http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/firefox.html

Price: Features: Zoodles Free – “Basic Playground” – provides a kid friendly, - Helps them find Free, Fun, Educational content online safe web browsing experience. Reports on what they - Filter content to include games appropriate to their age Link: do online. 7 day history of art work, books, & video - Updates with new games as they get older http://www.zoodles.com/ messages - Keep them safe while playing games online - Keep your computer safe while they play $6 month or $60/year – more parental controls like - Games, Books, Art, and Video Mail Email: promote subjects and time limits. More content [email protected] customization – edit block/allow list from default Family members can: settings, adjust violence limits - Record themselves reading classic stories - See Josie's best drawings from the Zoodles Art Studio Available for: http://www.zoodles.com/home/marketing/pricing - Send Josie fun video messages saying Hello! - PC - Mac - Firefox Browser Note: - iPhone/iPad Keyboard hotkeys (Windows key on PC or Alt-Tab on Mac) will - Andriod Smartphones work to exit Zoodle!

Log into parent site (http://www.zoodles.com/parent) for detailed reports.

KidZui K2 Price: Features: Free - provides a kid friendly, safe web browsing - run full screen on start up experience. Reports on what they do online (weekly - protect computer Link: email). - password needed to exit http://www.kidzui.com/ - Auto-launch program when computer starts http://help.kidzui.com/ Note: Available for: Select Full Screen Mode AND Password needed on exit - disables - PC hot keys (Windows key on PC or Alt-Tab on Mac) on computer - Mac Valid email account needed to sign up (confirmation email is sent to activate account)