Parental Control Software - Find the Best Parental Controls

Parental Control Software

Parental Control Software Reviews

What is Parental Control Software?

When you are a parent, keeping your child safe and secure is a top priority especially in a world which continually changes. Our world is also becoming smaller in many ways, and our children are learning the power of the information they can access on a computer. The Internet puts this information at their finger tips. There are all kinds of distractions on a computer such as games and social networking websites. It is a constant challenge to keep them focused on completing homework instead of playing games or chatting with a friend and this can leave you feeling helpless and frustrated.

A useful tool that will give you more security when it comes to your child's computer time is parental control software. This type of software gives a parent the ability to monitor their child’s computer time. There are a variety of different kinds with many features allowing parents to find just the right fit for their family. There are so many options it can be a little overwhelming if you do not know where to begin. This is where Parental Control Software Reviews will help you by providing information about the different programs and features available. You can learn more about the different types of Parental Control Software features by reading below or using the link above for more details.

The Features of Parental Control Software

Do you wonder what your child is doing on the computer when you are not around? Well, with an activity report you can find out what websites your child is viewing as well as many other activities. Another great tool for reporting activities is email alerts which send an email whenever your child is engaged in preset activity you want know about. However, now you wonder what to do when you are not there, but your child is at home on the computer and the settings need to be changed? Remote access will allow for changes to be made to settings from another location.

Children thrive when there is structure in their life and time limits on a computer provides a child with this structure. Computer time limits can be used to schedule your child's computer time so they are not spending too much of their free time on the computer.

There are some websites you do not want a child to access. This may be because of their adult content or for another reason. However, you cannot be looking over their shoulder each time they are on the computer. By utilizing an Internet block, you will have peace of mind knowing your child is viewing sights appropriate for them. Web filters will take Internet blocking one step farther by blocking Internet ads and other content not appropriate for a child's eyes.

Social networking websites are exploding in growth and children are just as interested in them as some adults, but places like online chat rooms need to be monitored carefully. Parental controls provides two ways for you to monitor online chatting. There is software that records keystrokes and then there is software that searches for certain keywords within the chat session. Key stroke logging is much more intensive approach and will require you to read anything that is typed into the computer. Keyword detection is a less intensive approach because it will only look for words you program it to recognize.

Computer downloads, although useful for some things, can cause a multitude of problems; however, most children do not understand their potential harm. They do not understand that downloads can harbor a virus, nor do they realize that a parent is responsible for what is on their computer. If they mistakenly or purposely download illegal files, then you are legally responsible. However, you can stop this by blocking downloads, and even prevent your child from accessing certain programs on your computer.

Perhaps the most frightening threat to children is sexual predators. Predator alerts will give you the ability to learn their name and crimes committed as well s see a picture of them and where they live. It is certainly not a comfort to know these predators exist, but knowing who and where they are provides you a certain amount of security.

Tips for How to Choose the Parental Software that is Right for Your Family

Research various kinds of parental control software.

Make a list of why you need parental controls of your computer. This list will help you figure out the feature you need.

Ask yourself how you would use each feature and this will help you decide if you need that feature.

Decide the level of control you would like ahead of time in order to help you determine the features you want.

Consider the age of your child because this may affect your decision. For example, if your child is younger they may need time limits, but if they are older chat monitoring may be more appropriate.

Parental Control Software Reviews Will Increase Valuable Family Time

As a parent, you are busy and constantly looking for ways to maximize time with your family because too often life's challenges get in the way. The reviews on this site will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision. What is more, unlike other sites selling parental software, you can find all the information you need all in one place which gives you more time and energy spent on the things you care about.

KidsWatch- KidsWatch contains more features than any other type of parental controls program. It includes an application that allows you to set specific time controls, as well as blocking any website you do not wish your child to visit. This software gives you the option of setting specific log-out times and allows you to customize these by child. It also has the additional features of predator alerts, as well as the ability to monitor all email and chat. It can be operated remotely, for additional security, when you have to be away from home.

WebWatcher- WebWatcher is a keystroke monitoring program. It allows you to monitor every word typed into the computer. In addition, you can also read each email your children both send and receive, block access to websites, block file-to-file sharing, gain access to screenshots of your children's Internet usage. WebWatcher does not contain time-limit controls.

Spector Pro- Spector Pro monitors keystrokes, allows for video playback of Internet activity, records social network activity, and makes copies of chats and IMs. It also allows you to block websites you do not want your children to visit. Spector Pro does not allow you to set time limits on the computer, nor does it allow for web filtering. It has about half the features of KidsWatch for almost double the price.

SpyAgent- SpyAgent does not allow for the setting of specific time controls, however, it does allow for the scheduling of lock-down hours such as meals, homework time, and bedtime. SpyAgent can monitor chat conversations from both sides and allows for Internet blocking and web filtering. It also contains keystroke logging features and remote access.

IAmBigBrother- IAmBigBrother is a good control program for those who don't have a lot of cash to spend. it is inexpensive and does a good job for the money. It does allow parents the ability monitor all websites visited by children and allows for the monitoring of social network sites and IMs and chat. For this parental control review, IAmBigBrother rates high in affordability, however, it is missing key features. It does not allow for the blockage of particular sites. For some reason, this software is missing a blocking feature. Also, if your children know how to delete their search engine history, it will not be able to capture and record the search engine information.

Nature Health Children's Care- In terms of parental control software reviews, Nature Health Children's Care is best suited for smaller children. it uses cute cartoon icons to remind children to take a break from the pc, to use proper posture, and to be sure and drink water. It does allow for time limit controls and chat monitoring. It does not keystroke log, block Internet sites, or web filter. For these reasons, it should be rated high for smaller children under the age of six, but it should not be used with older children who have the ability to surf the Internet.

CyberSitter- CyberSitter also works well for younger children, but among leading parental control reviews, it is not recommended for teens. While CyberSitter will allow for Internet blocking, web filtering, and chat monitoring, it does not permit the blocking of downloads.

Net Nanny- In a parental control review, Net Nanny came in just behind KidsWatch. Net Nanny contains all the features found in the top-rated software with the exception of predator alerts. Net Nanny also does not contain a 100% guarantee. However, if you need to save a little bit of money, it can be a very useful tool.

CyberPatrol- Basically, CyberPatrol blocks Internet sites. It also has a time restriction. However, it does not allow for chat, email, or IM blocking, nor does it filter web content. If all you want to do is block certain sites from your computer, then this is the software for you.

SocialShield- SocialShield is a different type of software. SocialShield was created to simply monitor you children's behavior on social networking sites. It can search all databases to see if photos of your child have been uploaded and it can look for words that raise red flag such as drug, alcohol, and sex terms. However, your children will know it is running, as there is no stealth mode.

PC Tattletale- PC Tattletale blocks and filters Internet and web content. It does not prevent downloads nor does it have time limit controls. PC Tattletale ranks high in parental control reviews.

Time Sheriff- Exactly as it's name implies, Time Sheriff is a software program designed to limit the amount of time children spend on the computer.

SniperSpy- SniperSpy merely monitors the websites your children visit. It does not allow for blocking or filtering. SniperSpy secretly attaches itself, so your children will never know it is being run. It's advanced features are able to monitor every site visited, even those visited via a proxy address.

SentryPC- SentryPC blocks and filters websites. It has the capability to do everything except download blocking and predator alerts. SentryPC can be installed remotely and features stealth running.

Online Family- Online Family is unique in that it allows children to give feedback and explain why they need access to certain sites. Online Family does not allow for download blocking, predator alerts, and keystroke logging.

Safe Eyes- Safe Eyes allows for both Internet and web blocking and filtering. It does not allow for the blocking of downloads, with the exception of iTunes. Considering the low cost, and relatively inexpensive ading of additional licenses, Safe Eyes is recommended for families with multiple children on multiple computers.

K9 Parental Control- K9 Parental Control features one of the most up-to-date programs for filtering out new web content as it is posted on the Internet. K9 Parental Control also uses less storage space than many of the other programs.

Silent Loggger- Just as the name implies, Silent Logger allows for the silent logging of all keystrokes on the computer. It has the ability to detect usernames and passwords you may not even be aware your children have.

PureSight- PureSight falls in the mid-range price of other parental control programs. PureSight has the ability to block, filter, and limit time spent on the computer. PureSight does not allow for predator alerts.

Family Protection- Designed by McAfee, Family Protection limits time and blocks Internet sites and filters web content. However, it does not allow for predator alerts, keystroke logging, nor can it be operated remotely.

Windows 7- Windows 7 comes free with Windows 7 and Vista. It can block websites and it filters web content, but that is about all this particular freeware program does. It does have the added bonus of limiting time spent online.

PC Pandora- PC Pandora operates in live mode, so you will know what your children are viewing as they view it. PC Pandora does not contain time limit capabilities nor does it prevent downloads or allow for predator alerts. However, if you wish to know what your children are accessing as they access it, this is the software for you.

CyberFence- CyberFence is the top-rated software for operatig remotely. It does not have predator alerts nor does it block downloads. However, CyberFence can be checked remotely via a mobile phone.

Bsecure- Bsecure is a complete package and one of three control applications that offers predator alerts. Bsecure does not have keystroke logging capabilities, but makes up for it with the remote access features and website filtering applications. It is also one of the three programs that allows for blocking and filtering by age.

SafeGuard- Designed by the makers of McGruff, SafeGuard also features predator alerts, blocks and filters content, and imposes time limits. It is more expensive than many other parental control programs, but it is the only program that was created with the input of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Optenert PC- Optenert blocks Internet access to sites, filters web sites, and imposes time limits. While it does not allow for predator alerts, remote access, or download blocking, Optenert is the only multi-lingual software that allows itself to be set to English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese.