Read Mumsnetters’ thoughts on Kaspersky Lab’s Safe Kids service - £300 voucher prize draw for feedback!NOW CLOSED

[ZaneMumsnet]

This thread is for the Mumsnetters who tried out Kaspersky Safe Kids software.

Here’s what Kaspersky Lab say “The Internet can be a powerful education tool for your children – but only if you can protect them from digital dangers. Kaspersky Safe Kids helps you find safer ways for your children to explore the digital world. With device usage scheduling, automatic notifications about suspicious activities, GPS safe zones and summaries of what they’re searching, seeing and sharing… you can stay connected with your kids and help keep them safe”

Testers, please answer the following few questions below on your impressions of Kaspersky Safe Kids. Please feel free to add any other comments you may have, we’d love to hear them:

1. How easy did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids easy to set up/install?
   
   
2. How helpful did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids in terms of monitoring your DCs online activity?
   
   
3. Did you feel Kaspersky Safe Kids made exploring the internet safer for your DC? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   
4. What was your overall impression of Kaspersky Safe Kids?
   
   
5. Would you recommend Kaspersky Safe Kids to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   
6. Do you intend on continuing to use Kaspersky Safe Kids? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   Each tester who adds feedback will be entered into a prize draw, where one lucky Mumsnetter will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!
   
   Thanks and good luck!
   MNHQ

[purplepandas]

Place marking. I will install tomorrow. Looking forward to trying this out. Thanks.

[Shiraznowplease]

1. Kaspersky wasn't easy to set up for us as we already had a previous kapersky product on there. We need to uninstall that before we could install this but it was definitely worth it 😀
   
   
2. we were absolutely amazed by how great it was. It flashed up warnings and sent us emails of things they had attempted to see. We are beyond impressed with this product
   
   
3. it was a great help and it definitely made us more relaxed about the children using the Internet. It felt safer as it monitored usage including use of Facebook. It allowed us to block certain sites as well as age restricted sites. It reported back to us which breaches had occurred and which child had done it. It also reported on pop ups so made us feel it was safer to use internet so nothing unsuitable would pop up
   
   
4. I just think this is an amazing product and definitely think we will carry on with this service when we need to pay for it after a month. Loved the fact that it could be installed on smart phone to monitor sms usage and also that we could track where dc are with this
   
   
5. yes definitely recommend to everyone I know. Will ease the worry about dc using the Internet
   
   
6. as mentioned in a previous answer we will continue using this product as we are really happy with it.

[MrsJuice]

Can I start?
I know it's early days, but I'm about to tear my eyeballs out with shards of salt. For pleasure.
I will hopefully return with more later. Nicer stuff.

1. How easy did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids easy to set up/install?
   Absolute bloody nightmare. I'm using various iOS platforms. My nice new iPhone as the parent device was OK.
   The instructions were rather confusing. It was a listing of: you can do a), or a) or perhaps a). You may want to do a). Or log in and do a).
   I read it a few times to determine the differences. It was rather over complicating the boiling of an egg.
   It should have told you where to click to install which element, and which operation corresponded to the 'parent' and 'child' functions.
   After the initial install, I returned to the main site to add the child information, and it turned into a mad chaos of automatic redirects that made me believe that Safe Kids was a virus. I spent an hour of frustration before finding that the first child's device was incompatible due to age of device.
   Second child's device wouldn't work because she'd forgotten her iCloud password (you can't do this covertly)!
   Third child's device finally did work, and I collapsed into a heap, before almost slipping into a stress induced coma.
   
   
   
2. How helpful did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids in terms of monitoring your DCs online activity?
   Um, well. Frankly a bit crap.
   My 8 year old found that all of her favourite Apps had disappeared, because Safe Kids had determined that they were only appropriate for 9 yr olds. We're talking Minecraft etc. She didn't use her iPad for these reasons.
   Safe Kids also automatically blocked the location services, which meant that I couldn't possibly track her. Please continue.............
   
   
3. Did you feel Kaspersky Safe Kids made exploring the internet safer for your DC? If so, why? If not, why not?
   I always use restrictions to make sure the kids can't access anything I disagree with. No Safari, no dodgy apps or social networking. I have always controlled it, rather than monitor it.
   My thoughts were that this was a good opportunity to give my daughter access to the Internet, and see what would happen!
   Tonight, I pulled up my big girl pants and braved the 'settings update', so I could actually get the app to do what I wanted it to.
   I spent a considerable amount of time figuring out how to unblock the apps, location services (!!), and give her some internet time as promised. One thing I noted is that lots of settings are not available for iOS anyway - but I found enough to resolve the big issues.
   I then went back to her iPad to reset the thing, and get her beloved apps back.
   I followed the instructions. Put in the passwords. Refreshed the app as instructed, and......................
   there was a web screen full of coding gobbledygook!!!
   We tried about twenty times. It didn't work.
   The location services work, but the apps are all blocked. She stayed up an hour past bedtime, and I had to give her the 30 mins screen time that I promised, on another device.
   We have given up for today.
   
   
4. What was your overall impression of Kaspersky Safe Kids?
   Yesterday - pretty rubbish.
   Today - pretty rubbish.
   To be continued.......
   
   
5. Would you recommend Kaspersky Safe Kids to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
   At the moment, no. The reasons are above.
   
   
6. Do you intend on continuing to use Kaspersky Safe Kids? If so, why? If not, why not?
   Yes, because it wouldn't have got through Beta testing if it was this bad. Unless it is malware and Jeffrey is behind it?
   That was a joke. I need
   I expect more, and will return to the thread!!!

[Shiraznowplease]

I found this really good unlike Mrs juice although maybe due to the age difference in our children, my doc are 6 and nearly 4. The restrictions we placed were probably more strict than kaspersky would have. It was the first time my littlest had been allowed to use the laptop so everything for her was exciting

[Shiraznowplease]

Dc not doc.... Hate autocorrect

[Bonnemaman69]

My 6 year old loves all things digital (as they do!) so I was very happy to try out Kaspersky Safe Kids software to see if it could help us keep him safe from the many dangers of the digital world.

1. How easy was it to install? Well, I am not technically minded and I must admit I did not find it easy to install. The instructions were confusing (to me anyway), in the end I could only choose one of the two suggested methods, then I pretty much kept on pressing keys and finally, ta-dah!, it was all set up (I’m still not sure how) and I was magically able to monitor from my desktop in my office what my 6 year old was doing on his laptop in his bedroom, which I find pretty impressive.
   
2. Once installed, the software gives incredibly detailed reports on my child’s activities. He plays games and likes watching You Tube game videos and the alerts I receive and reports I get show me exactly what he has been doing. The rules are very good to ensure safe searches. I particularly like the restrictions I was able to set up to block unsuitable contents or language. The Device Usage page allows parents to set time limits per day in hours, which can be very useful.
   
3. Did Kaspersky Safe Kids made exploring the Internet safer for my DC? It did. He is only 6 so we don’t allow him to go on Social Networks, make Calls and send SMS yet but when he starts accessing these I think this software would make him safer and would certainly give us peace of mind. The website is very good - there is an excellent page on Cyberbullying and lots of detailed advice which I thought was very useful.
   
4. My overall impression is that, after the initial tricky installation stage, it is a very good software which allows parents to monitor closely their children’s activities on the Internet and does help the children stay safe.
   
5. Would I recommend it to friends and relatives? I would, but the designers should try and make the installation process less confusing.
   
6. Will I continue to use Kaspersky Safe Kids? I won’t for the time being but when my children grow up and start accessing other areas of the Internet such as Social Networks, I will definitely consider using it.

[Hopezibah]

1. How easy did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids easy to set up/install?
   Relatively straightforward.
   
   
2. How helpful did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids in terms of monitoring your DCs online activity?
   
   Loved that it was real time and that messages got pinged to our inbox telling us what they are up to. The downside was it kept asking for location to be activated which we can't to on that child's ipad so that was frustrating that it kept asking for the location.
   
   
3. Did you feel Kaspersky Safe Kids made exploring the internet safer for your DC? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   Yes because i was told exactly what they were doing. It blocked appropriately. For you tube it told them it was unwise but let them do it and notified me - which was the right thing as they needed it for their homework.
   
   
4. What was your overall impression of Kaspersky Safe Kids?
   
   a useful tool.
   
   
5. Would you recommend Kaspersky Safe Kids to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   possibly. Depends on age of child of child and what devices they are using. Becomes more useful for using phones etc too.
   
   
6. Do you intend on continuing to use Kaspersky Safe Kids? If so, why? If not, why not?
   possibly - not sure yet.

[Bouncearound]

1. How easy did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids easy to set up/install?
   A little tricky and somewhat confusing.
   
   
2. How helpful did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids in terms of monitoring your DCs online activity?
   It was more frustrating than helpful but that maybe because my dc are older and are used to using the Internet within limits given by us as parents. Eg I trust them in YouTube not to view inappropriate videos and to tell us if they do accidentally
   
   
3. Did you feel Kaspersky Safe Kids made exploring the internet safer for your DC? If so, why? If not, why not?
   Yes in principle. Just not sure I agree with the extent this makes it 'safer'
   
4. What was your overall impression of Kaspersky Safe Kids?
   Good product but not for me
   
   
5. Would you recommend Kaspersky Safe Kids to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
   No bad comments and I'd recommend it if they were looking for such a product but personally I'd like my dc to learn for themselves what's appropriate through discussion and demonstration, a 'flag it' approach and without them feeling we don't trust them and are spying on them.
   
   
6. Do you intend on continuing to use Kaspersky Safe Kids? If so, why? If not, why not? No, as above

[loosechange]

1. How easy did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids easy to set up/install?
   Straightforward
   
   
2. How helpful did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids in terms of monitoring your DCs online activity?
   
   Theoretically yes, but it didn't really help me. I received 3 emails telliung me he was trying to play the game I had allowed him to play, whihc he then couldn't access until I had installed it, as below,
   Not. DC is 8. He uses my desktop.
   
   
3. Did you feel Kaspersky Safe Kids made exploring the internet safer for your DC? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   
   He plays one game online,with my permission, but with strict rules. I had to reinstall the game on his login, the enter my password again for him to play it. The process seemed slow.
   
   My other security levels are set at high, so it made no difference.
   
   
   
4. What was your overall impression of Kaspersky Safe Kids?
   
   Useful if your child has their own device, or uses social media.
   
   
5. Would you recommend Kaspersky Safe Kids to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
   I would suggest it for older children or those with their own device, but suggest they take a look for themselves.
   
   
6. Do you intend on continuing to use Kaspersky Safe Kids? If so, why? If not, why not?
   No. It's not helpful at present. I would relook at it in a few ears though.

[dickinson13]

1. How easy did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids easy to set up/install?
   Its sounded difficult in the instuctions but it was fine when I just attempted to install it and set it up for my son.
   
   
2. How helpful did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids in terms of monitoring your DCs online activity?
   Very helpful. My son uses several different devices and therefore I installed it on all 4. I have received several emails to let me which websites he has tried to go on and I like to sign in to see the list of everything that he has been up to! I like the idea of putting a time limit on his devices as well.
   
   
3. Did you feel Kaspersky Safe Kids made exploring the internet safer for your DC? If so, why? If not, why not?
   Yes because it stopped him from going on unsafe sites, however it still allowed him to bring up search results.
   
   
4. What was your overall impression of Kaspersky Safe Kids?
   I thought that it was very good. I have previously used windows safety that comes with Windows 10 but it did not have many settings on it.
   
   
5. Would you recommend Kaspersky Safe Kids to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
   Yes I would because it stops children from being unsafe on the internet. If you had an older child you could monitor where they are using their phone.
   
   
6. Do you intend on continuing to use Kaspersky Safe Kids? If so, why? If not, why not?
   I am considering it because I think that it is a good idea and my child does use the internet a lot.

[dickinson13]

It was not compatible with my phone though which was a shame.

[regularbutpanickingabit]

I am going to half answer and then come back. It has taken me the best part of the day to install after spending two days looking at the instructions and the lack of ability to find the simple button to install and giving up.

I guess that answers question one.

I will be back with the rest but at least I don't have to worry about losing the link because this is now on my threads I'm on....

[Ebayaholic]

1. How easy did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids easy to set up/install? Easy to install but our old laptop didn't have the programmes required so it did take a long time
   
   
2. How helpful did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids in terms of monitoring your DCs online activity? My 9 yo daughter hates it so I'm going to have to say very helpful!
   
   
3. Did you feel Kaspersky Safe Kids made exploring the internet safer for your DC? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes, it does what it says on the tin.
   
   
4. What was your overall impression of Kaspersky Safe Kids? Bit of a faff but worth it
   
   
5. Would you recommend Kaspersky Safe Kids to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes if they are technologically minded
   
   
6. Do you intend on continuing to use Kaspersky Safe Kids? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes, I was feeling a nagging guilt about not monitoring them closely enough and this gives me a sense of relief.

[purplepandas]

1. How easy did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids easy to set up/install?
   
   It was a utter nightmare. I agree with PP who commented on overly complicated instructions and a convoluted installation process. I did eventually manage it but indulged in lots of swearing.
   
   
2. How helpful did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids in terms of monitoring your DCs online activity?
   
   It was helpful and the reports were indeed detailed. DD2 is 6 so like others, she does not use social media as yet. I suspect that this will become more useful as the DDs become older and more autonomous.
   
   
3. Did you feel Kaspersky Safe Kids made exploring the internet safer for your DC? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   Yes, I felt reassured to know what they had looked at etc.
   
   
4. What was your overall impression of Kaspersky Safe Kids?
   
   THe service is great. The installation process was hideous.
   
   
5. Would you recommend Kaspersky Safe Kids to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   Yes but in terms of the service being good. I would have to mention the total pain of the installation process (especially if you have an existing related Kapersky product)
   
   
6. Do you intend on continuing to use Kaspersky Safe Kids? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   No, although that may be more related to the age of my DC (4 and 6). I would revisit this when they are older though. That is once I have got over the installation stress!

[Elfontheshelfiswatchingyou]

1. How easy did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids easy to set up/install?
   
   So far I am finding it really difficult to install and need to go to bed so will give it another try in the week. It's just time consuming and overly complicated. I will give it another go though, as it would appear to be worth it once it's up and running.

[serendipity1980]

I will be coming back later when I've got some more time to explore Kaspersky but I'm not finding the set up easy - I installed the app on my iPad easily enough. I also added the activiation code with no problems. however, when adding profiles for my DC (aged 6 and 7), it wouldn't accept that Kaspersky was already installed on the iPad. I think it thinks that my DC have their own iPad when in fact they use mine. I'm really not sure what to do but will explore the main website on my laptop somewhen this week and hope to get a better understanding of how it all works. My main concerns for my DC are using Youtube occasionally and Google searches. They don't use the internet much but are starting to and it is concerning. They definitely don't have social media accounts.

To be continued.....

[glasgowlass]

1. I found this extremely easy to install & set up on devices following the information provided & activation code sent to me.
   

1. I found this invaluable in monitoring DS1s online activity. I loved the fact I got an email when he tried to access restricted content & found the alerts very detailed indeed.
   

1. Yes, very much so. I try to give him independence whilst online but like to keep an eye on what he is doing. This enabled me to do so without hovering over him. Wonderful application.
   

1. Overall, I love this! Absolutely love it.
   

1. I would recommend without hesitating. It allows kids to feel independent but also gives peace of mind to parent.
   

1. I would like to say yes...it depends on the price though... I will definitely use once DS1 & 2 are old enough to be using social media on their own.

[zippyants]

Luckily I have a Mac which is great without software like this AND being safe on the net!

[Gazelda]

I'm struggling to install Kaspersky. The instructions are not intuitive (for me) and I think I have some hardware issues in terms of compatibility. I'll have to have another look later when my DD isn't hassling me to give her tablet back!

[Bonkerz]

1. How easy did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids easy to set up/install?
   Took me about 40 minutes in total to install on my phone and kids laptop
   
   
2. How helpful did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids in terms of monitoring your DCs online activity?
   
   Will be interested to see what my teen is doing in more detail.
   
   
3. Did you feel Kaspersky Safe Kids made exploring the internet safer for your DC? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   Not really. I'm quite involved with their internet access etc. More interested in teens phone usage
   
   
4. What was your overall impression of Kaspersky Safe Kids?
   
   Will up date in a few days
   
   
5. Would you recommend Kaspersky Safe Kids to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   
6. Do you intend on continuing to use Kaspersky Safe Kids? If so, why? If not, why not?

[anonooo]

So far have had a terrible time trying to install this. Very confusing. Have been sent in circles and frequently. Get a 'site closed for maintenance' message. Will persevere.

[anonooo]

1. How easy did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids easy to set up/install?
   took me days and I am still somewhat confused. It seemed so straightforward but I think the installation instructions are overly simple. They don't explain the difference between downloading it, setting up an account, the activation code, the control centre where different devices can be added and so on.
   Add to that problems with receiving the activation code - had to keep retrying then got in a muddle as to which one I should activate. There were unexpected changes to the lap top that made me uncomfortable and surprised. Felt really nervous and not prepared for it.
   
   
2. How helpful did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids in terms of monitoring your DCs online activity?
   Yes, it seems to provide decent tracking functions and the alerts and warnings are helpful in certain circumstances. There is extraordinary functionality if you dig down into. I find it anthropologically useful to see what sites my children are drawn to, how long they spend there. Yes it monitors - the question is is monitoring the be all and end all. I am trying to get my children to decide for themsleves what is good and what is stupid in internet usage.
   
   
   
3. Did you feel Kaspersky Safe Kids made exploring the internet safer for your DC? If so, why? If not, why not?
   It depends how you define safe. I think it feeds into a certain paranoia about the web, which is much better served educating children honestly about what is out there. It is much better as a spyware - but then the child is totally aware of its presence, so learns to circumvent it. It makes the whole use of the internet something of a battleground.
   
   
   
4. What was your overall impression of Kaspersky Safe Kids?
   Will be the perfect product for some parents who really want to control and analyse their children's usage and monitor and shape it. You still have to have the difficult conversations though. .
   
   
5. Would you recommend Kaspersky Safe Kids to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?
   I think it works better on devices that is solely intended for children. It gets really complicated if it is a multi-user device. If your children have their own devices and are under 12 years old, yes, sure put it on.
   
   
6. Do you intend on continuing to use Kaspersky Safe Kids? If so, why? If not, why not?
   I realise that I deal differently with the perceived dangers of the internet. I would rather talk about what is out there and give them strategies to counter it, rise above it, pity it. It may be more of use in their teens - they are 8 and 10 now.

[Generation1979]

Found it really hard to install using link. Therefore found the app which is easy. However can't fatham how to get activation code to work! Not easy!

[CheeseandGherkins]

Currently installing and will report back!

[SnapCackleFlop]

1) How easy did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids easy to set up/install?

I found it really awkward. It seemed counterintuitive to install first on the iPad and not apparently be able to set up account on website via my iMac. I had to email MNHQ to get help to activate the code.

2) How helpful did you find Kaspersky Safe Kids in terms of monitoring your DCs online activity?

I thought it sounded great in theory and it is a great idea but in practice it was a real pain. As another poster said, it hid a lot of my children's favourite apps (apps for children that made no sense to not allow). It also sent me emails every time my DD tried to view an 'unauthorised' site which again was a perfectly innocent child's game. The emails seemed chaotic and not actually linked with times my daughter was online - perhaps a big time lag between sending and online activity??

3) Did you feel Kaspersky Safe Kids made exploring the internet safer for your DC? If so, why? If not, why not?

It should have but we found it so clunky that it disallowed so much good, fun, safe stuff that it became an annoyance and seemed to lack the sophistication to genuinely be a reliable help.

4) What was your overall impression of Kaspersky Safe Kids?

It's a great idea but isn't currently good enough. We also had problems with the 'tracking' function which didn't work at all and kept stating co-ordinates were unavailable. (At one point my daughter appeared to be in London when we were in Scotland!!).
It feels like a prototype which will hopefully change and end up good. It it stays as it currently is I don't think it will be very popular.

5) Would you recommend Kaspersky Safe Kids to friends or relatives? If so, why? If not, why not?

It might possibly work better for younger children? Personally it isn't something I'd recommend which is a pity as it's a good idea and I've been on the look out for something like it.

6) Do you intend on continuing to use Kaspersky Safe Kids? If so, why? If not, why not?

No. For all the above reasons it was disappointing and I won't be keeping on using it though I'm grateful for the opportunity to have tried it.

Just another small point, I was a bit put off by the language used which seemed inherently mistrustful as if children are intrinsically bad. My interest was more in a product which would help me protect my children from some of the horrible stuff online - not to help me manage bad untrustworthy delinquents which I felt the Kaspersky website implied ;)