Mumsnet Talk

We have recently bought our son (aged 12) a laptop for his birthday. He was complaining that loads of his friends at school had one and it’s what he really wanted. The problem is, I think he knows more about it than I do! I know, or I hope, that it’s not a major issue now, but I’m sure that as he progresses through his teenage years he’s going to be trying to use the laptop to see things that I would rather he didn’t. My husband has had a chat with him about what he should and shouldn’t be doing online, but I’m worried this isn’t going to be enough. I want to trust him, but he’s a young boy, and I know what young boys can be like! We previously only had the desktop so we could keep an eye on him but he uses the laptop in his bedroom.

There are so many products out there that claim to protect children online that I’m a bit baffled by it all to be honest. I don’t use the computer very often but am trying to get up to speed in the hope that I can stay ahead of him! In the meantime, does anyone have anything they would recommend for limiting what children can access online?

Just looked into this myself. Have a look at K9 which is free I think and easily downloadable. Google K9 and parental software. Good luck!

Thanks BonAppetit. Had a look and it certainly sounds ideal. I am a complete technical dunce though! Do you use it? Is it easy to use? I like the idea that I can control what websites are blocked, although it would be nice to be able to have them blocked sometimes and not at others (i.e. blocked for the kids and not for me!) Perhaps I'm asking for something that just doesn't exist!

Hi DiWilliams, if you're still looking for a solution 'Net Nanny' can help - you as administator can simply turn it off and on with your password. It also monitors instant messaging/chat as well as filtering websites - check it out on google.

Google the vodafone parents guide, it talks about what might be appropriate (or not) at different age ranges. Clearly what is ok for a 12 year may not be for an 8 year old and if you are too restrictive your ds may just use methods to get round the programme - none of them are foolproof.

I had posted on here a site my DC use called www.dizeo.com for talking to friends and doing homework. They like it and its seems very safe.

I have just downloaded NetNanny and feel so much better. You have no idea the things my 9 year old daughter has ended up on by looking for 'Girls dressing up games'. I was horrified and I thought I had been pretty good with the security on our PC. It's a total minefield. Recommend googlesafe settings and net nanny, pretty good so far.

I tried both Cyberpatrol and NetNanny.

Cyberpatrol kept crashing our computer systems and, horror of horror, when I forgot to renew at one point, instead of blocking everything then allowing me to unload it using the master password, it just allowed everything!

Downloaded netnanny and I've not had the same issue. The admin side of it is simple when setting up, but when it flags an issue, ie when they are IMing and it says there was dodgy content, if you want to check you have to do it post by post and it's not quick!

HOwever, I would say that NO software can replace good parenting and teaching them the do's and don'ts just like stranger danger etc, is the key.

Trouble is, now we live in the age of the smart phone, when are they going to produce parental software for them?

we use kiddiesurfsafe which is dead easy, no software to install, and using default settings protects our kids online.
you'll find it here www.kiddiedurfsafe.com

I just found a safe software on the channel 5 milkshake website called magic desktop which is free.

It has safe internet and loads of fun and educational content. My 3 and 5 years old boys are keen on it and it's easy for them to use. it has safe email and internet.