Programs can block bad stuff

Mon., July 17, 2006

Jeffrey G. Ghassemi The Washington Post

Child-protection software features range from simple Web site filtering (blocking access to sites) to digital surveillance of nearly every computer activity, including e-mailing, chatting, messaging, Web surfing and file swapping, right down to the keystroke.

But Anton Trinidad, medical director of inpatient services at George Washington University Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry, says such programs should be a fallback option only. “(Spying) is never a good idea,” he said, since it represents a breakdown in trust and sends a message to your child that spying is acceptable. Only if the child is at risk of self-harm should parents rely on spy software, he warns.

Parents who prefer security features without the espionage may choose a simple Web filter or software that controls the amount of time your child spends online, says Michael Miller, a columnist for PC magazine.

Here’s a sampling of programs available to block the bad stuff:

• K9 Web Protection, by Blue Coat. Free downloadable program offers Web filtering but doesn’t let you track your kid’s online activities. www.k9webprotection.com

• CYBERsitter 9.0, by Solid Oak Software. Web filtering, online-only monitoring for $39.95. www.cybersitter.com

•Safe Eyes, by SafeBrowse.com. Web filtering, online-only monitoring, time controls for $39.95. www.safeeyes.com

• Spector Pro 5.0, by SpectorSoft. Web filtering, online and offline monitoring for $99.95. www.spectorsoft.com

These products are intended for supervising children under 18. Various local, state and federal laws prohibit employing them on adults, according to software4parents.com, a retailer of monitoring software.

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