(Source: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
McAfee Family Protection, a new program designed to stop children from visiting off-limits Web sites, protect them from cyber bullying and help them avoid risky behavior on social networking sites, is now available for $39.95.
The software lets parents track their children's online activities and share the information to show them the error of their ways. It includes several features "appropriate for certain age groups" to help parents keep their children safe online. These high-tech handcuffs include getting text or e-mail alerts when a child tries to access a banned Web site, filtering naughty YouTube videos and blocking IM, peer-to-peer or e-mail programs or Web sites offering similar services. The security software can be adjusted remotely by logging into a McAfee Web site and changing the family's account settings.
Other features include:
_ Web Blocking: Up to 35 categories of inappropriate content can be locked out, including pornography, hate sites and school cheating.
_ Program Blocking: Chokes off peer to peer file sharing programs, stopping children from downloading illegal or virus-laden files.
_ E-mail management: Lets parents pre-approve e-mail addresses of their children's friends and block mail from unknown coming through programs such as Microsoft Outlook. Web-based e-mail including Yahoo or Gmail can banned.
_ Social Networking: Acts on sites such as MySpace or Facebook can be recorded with alerts transmitted to parents when "inappropriate" or personal information is posted.
_ Instant Messaging: Parents can monitor and record IM chats held through programs such as AOL, ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo!
_ Time Limits: Parents can limit the amount of time their children are on the Internet, with the software automatically pulling the plug when the meter runs out.
_ Reports: The software compiles a list of all the Web sites visited, including banned sites, and recorded instant message conversations.
___
(c) 2009, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Visit JSOnline, the Journal Sentinel's World Wide Web site, at http://www.jsonline.com/
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
_____
TO SUBSCRIBE TO MOMS
Items in the MOMS package are not included in your MCT News Service subscription. You can subscribe to the MOMS package or purchase the items a la carte on MCT Direct at www.mctdirect.com. To subscribe, please call Rick DeChantal at Tribune Media Services at (800) 245-6536 or rdechantal@tribune.com. Outside the United States, call Tribune Media Services International at +1-213-237-7987 or e-mail tmsi@tribune.com
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
A service of YellowBrix, Inc.
