The internet is the hotbed of information, and we all turn to it either to look for answers to some questions or to socialize with friends. At some time, whether by training or sheer interest, your child is going to learn about the internet. If you don’t want to deny them the pleasure of surfing, you can install parental controls software for Windows and Mac to keep tabs on everything they do online.
The internet is pretty scary. If adults can frown at some content they are exposed to, imagine how kids will handle such information. Since their rationale is not entirely developed, too much exposure to nasty and inappropriate content will either traumatize or degrade their morals. Kids don’t know about moderation; it’s up to you to monitor what they are doing and tell them to back off from that site.
There are parental controls for both PC and mobile phones. You need to find what is appropriate for you. Most software programs will come with a one-time free trial before you can fully subscribe. Kids are profoundly foxy, thus subscribing for limited features is never a good advice. A full subscription ensures every “blacklisted” site is never visited or an alert is issued once a child land on the page.
Installing parental controls software for Windows and Mac
Most monitoring software programs are pretty simple to install. You just purchase and download the program to the home computer, your child’s laptop, and both parents PC as well. Install the program and ensure it's working efficiently. Programs such as Easemon can provide both parents with access to the server for maximum security.
Compatibility with devices is one of the most important things one has to consider. Before picking on any parental controls software for Windows and Mac, read the features to see the devices or window versions it supports.
Common features of monitoring software for Windows and Mac
Parental time control
One of the things parents are afraid of is their kids spending unlimited time online. With extensive browsing, the chances of a child clicking on a misleading banner or landing on a scary page are high. With parental time control, you can determine how long your kid sits before the PC. Most programs can allow you to shut the system down during unsupervised hours so sneaky kids can’t use it at night or when you are away.
Blocking apps
Besides controlling the time taken on a computer, monitoring software like Easemon allows you to block some apps like games, online video players and other apps you deem less important or dangerous to kids. You can allow unlimited access to programs like word, dictionaries and several useful ones.
Website blocking
This is actually the feature most parents look for in a child monitoring software program. It allows you to block all the websites that you don’t want minors to visit. These could be social media sites like Facebook or any other site with sensual and inappropriate content. Once you feed the program with a list of blacklisted sites, content from pornographic, drugs and alcohol and violence sites will be filtered out automatically.
Real-time access to data
If the program doesn’t block a site, then it should be able to send alerts in case a site classified as “child unfriendly” is visited. This enables you to advise your child to avoid such websites. However, it’s always an advantage if the program can block access to all inappropriate website, so your child doesn’t feel he/she is being stalked.
While your job may be important, you cannot, and should never compromise the safety of your kids. By installing parental Controls Software for Windows and Mac, you can shield your adventurous kids from the seedy underbelly of the internet.