Do You Think Your Child is Too Young For You To Need Parental Controls?

[Tee2072]

My nephew was 7 in February. So was his twin sister.

They live in the United States, so he and his sister are just finishing 1st grade.

Anyway, one day last week he was playing some game on the family computer. Which is in the main family area. Somehow he found himself on YouTube. He knew he wanted to watch videos of the Power Rangers but he also knew he didn't know how to spell Power or Rangers.

So what did he do? He went to the DVD holder across the room, grabbed one of his Power Ranger DVDs, trotted back over the the computer and copied the title, letter by letter.

Luckily, all he found were Power Ranger videos before my sister noticed what was going on.

Their computer is now locked down tight.

Don't assume your kids are safe just because they can't read or write well yet.

You're welcome.

Duh! Of course 7 is old enough to need controls! I thought you were going to Post about an 18mo or something!

And what else is he going to find under 'Power Rangers' on you tube?

Or is the concern that he will then toddle off and find one of his dads porn dvds anf start typing in the titles of those too?

You'd be surprised what they turn into porn. Every major film and TV show usually has a porn version somewhere.

DH's porn-mad ex-friend swore he had a DVD called "Harry's Potting Shed and the Philosopher's Bone" :o

Occasionally we like making up porn title versions of films. Actually I really need cheering up right now so I'm going to start a thread on it!

I'd have thought that as soon as a child is able to work a computer you need parental controls!

Totally agree with Empusa. Kids are going on the internet earlier and earlier so you need to be prepared. My son started at 3!

Leaving the internet open is just a bad idea. It's a scary place...even for us. It's also not about being big brother. That enrages me. Find a software that works for your family. It should help you communicate, not turn you into the enemy. I used to use Norton family, but I recently found Iglu (iceio.com).

Utube is a real pain. As others have said perfectly sensible searches lead to dubious parodies and worse.
I am a bad Mother, I don't filter. DDs are simply told if you don't trust it don't click on it and if you don't like it don't watch it.
No FB and no chat other than Moshie Monsters to people you know in RL.
I'm not convinced about filters. Yes we could filter the house network, but the Web is every where, even DDs £15 phone has some web access.

They have to learn to be sensible, I know my 10 yearold plays on friends FB occasionally, banning her wouldn't stop her she'd just lie and I'd much rather she told me.

They are never too young to need internet controls. I use this product ... tiny.cc/SafeBrowser ... because it allows me to set up different logons with different restrictions for my different aged children.

I have to admit I don't, but DS uses the internet in the kitchen when I'm cooking
I left him watching the trailer for Cars2 when he was about 3, and when he'd finished he clicked on the ones down the side, and he got one of these non official trailers iyswim. He ended up discovering some music that I thought DH would love and so DS "got" him for Father's Day. Still shook me up a bit though - that he'd strayed away from "safety" in such a small window of time.

Have a look at www.Childrenswebsiteguide.com . I have just found it and it has been really brilliant, cause I can log Jack on and know that he can play on there and look for things to help him with his homework

Hey thanks for the tip, I tried www.childrenswebsiteguide.com and I think its great, my 5 year old was straight in there, whilst his brother was nagging me for his turn!

Thanks for the recommendation, we've just had a look and I'm totally impressed. I did a quick and easy free trial. As a teacher and a Mum I am constantly searching for suitable sites for the children to use that are safe for them to use. On www.childrenswebsiteguide.com its just all there, with huge variety of websites specific for different age groups. I've signed up already!!!! Benjamin loved it and it was tricky getting him off. :) Thanks for the tip.