Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

[Replies: 29]
I have two teenage children and we recently had an issue with one of them accessing some unacceptable websites. I have been researching filtering and monitoring software and had a question or two.

1) Is Spector Pro simply a monitoring software? Does it also provide filtering and blocking. I have been doing some reading but am not completely clear on the capabilities.

2)If the answer to #1 is monitoring only...is it worth putting filter/blocking software on as well

3) Is the software stealthy? Will they know they are being any monitered?

4) Any other advice on products or parental controls you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Brian
Last Post Dec 30, 2011 8:05 AM by: allissa
allissa
Posts: 2
From: ina
Registered: 12/30/11
(30 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Dec 30, 2011 8:05 AM
you can try website filtering software like a cyberpatrol or k9webprotection.
This software can help you to monitoring to your children, or you can see their log activity on their browser.
or you can block specific IP address that harm for your children.

this is just my opinion, hopefully can help :-D
moorechips
Posts: 2
Registered: 12/26/11
(29 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Dec 26, 2011 7:07 AM
I am having same dilemma, can anyone help to recommend a good tools to block the internet content?
kirannair2006
Posts: 1
From: Canada
Registered: 12/23/11
(28 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Dec 23, 2011 8:03 PM
I have tried many different software products to monitor my children to make sure they are being safe online, but came none of that Internet filters or tools provide me a satisfactory sense of security. Some of the monitoring utilities were easily detected by our children; weather some slowed down our computer too much, or just didn't provide much useful security and information.
A few months ago, i read an article some monitoring tools; I decided to try some of them. Some was not so effective ultimately i got a tool that was really very impressive and from now I am using that tool. This tool named Parental Control Software is effective and works well.
Parental Control Software, Website blocking software that secretly blocks access to harmful sites on your system. A complete parental control software that blocks undesired web sites and offers healthy and secure internet platform for your children. Let’s check this Parental Control Software out.
Claire Green
Posts: 4
From: London
Registered: 12/5/11
(27 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Dec 11, 2011 6:02 PM
You can try Aobo Internet Filter for Mac. It is an Internet filter specially designed for Mac OS X users. It possesses both filtering and monitoring features. The internet filter for Mac can block unwanted sites as well as certain games or applications from running on your Mac. It also records the websites visited even in Private browsing Mode of the browser. Aobo Internet Filter for Mac runs in stealth and undetectable mode so it cannot be detected by the user.
jay19871229
Posts: 5
From: USA
Registered: 8/1/11
(26 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Aug 7, 2011 7:43 PM
filtering and blocking, running in stealthy mode, these are the the features any parental control possessed. However, I suggest you talk with your children first before you install parental control software onto their computer, trying to make them understand you and solve the problem, telling the potential danger of the internet. If you still concern the Internet security of your children, you may install parental control software onto their computers.
ShanEll
Posts: 3
Registered: 7/29/11
(25 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Jul 29, 2011 8:27 AM
I've never used Spector Pro, so I can't really speak to that. Plus, my kids are only 4 and 5 so they aren't really online too much, and never unmonitored.
However, I did sign up for beta for Iglu awhile ago, which I love and want to continue to use. I think it's really something that will grow with my kids (that's the hope anyways - fingers crossed)
They also have webspaces.kiwicommons.com that you can just check out that could help you with the whole monitoring vs. filtering part of your questions (super awesome resources)
Let us know how Spector Pro goes though, I am always curious about what's out there, and if I should be using something different!
Anthony-G
Posts: 1
Registered: 7/2/11
(24 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Jul 2, 2011 10:29 PM
As a kid, I would be pretty mad at my parents if they installed spy software on my computer. I think that talking with your kids and trying to educate them is the best way to go.

It's impossible to spy on every laptop, iPad, cell phone, etc. Wouldn't it be better to teach your kids what to look out for?

Just my thoughts.

Thanks,
Anthony
leilarin
Posts: 1
Registered: 6/2/11
(23 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Jun 2, 2011 9:04 PM
I am not familar with Spector Pro. But I know keyloggerand remote spy software . They are popular among my friends. Maybe you can have a look!
DavidFe
Posts: 1
Registered: 4/28/11
(22 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Apr 28, 2011 9:18 PM
I definitely like monitoring versus filtering. Its too hard to filter and kids can access sites like Facebook from nearly anywhere.

My wife and I started using SocialWebWatch.com and really like it. Neither of us have time to read everything our kids post, so its nice to get regular email updates of anything questionable.

It is a lot easier to discuss with the kids when the service reports a term or keyword issue. It also allowed us to add our own custom words.. so we added a few family terms to look for also.

I recommend monitoring.
safetyguy
Posts: 1
From: Murrieta, CA
Registered: 9/14/10
(21 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Sep 14, 2010 3:31 PM
The AOL safety toolbar works well.

--
Henry Wilter
Maureen
Posts: 666
Registered: 6/13/07
(20 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Aug 31, 2010 4:58 PM
Thanks, MariaO. Other options include new tools from AOL, Safety Toolbar and SafeSocial. Has anyone tried them? The first is free and the other is $10/mo., and they're both one of those smart new parental "control" products that require openness on everybody's part. (Kids know the software's in place - the toolbar can't be hidden - and parents know where kids have been on the Web.)

Maureen

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Maureen Kochan
ConnectSafely community manager
MariaO
Posts: 1
From: Fanwood, NJ
Registered: 8/27/10
(19 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Aug 27, 2010 1:11 PM
Hi everyone. I follow a lot of mommy blogs via facebook and just found this article that seems to address the issues that everyone has been talking about. The blog is on bloggspot http://justlikesuperheroes.blogspot.com/

I think its the same product that I saw another mom mention in another post, WebSafety - and I tried the web version and liked it. I am probably going to try the cell one too, the problem for me is that one of my kids uses an iphone which isn't supported, but I will try it with the other phone. if the controls are good and gives me flexibility I will come back and tell folks about it. I just want to make sure that the texting and driving isn't happening.

is anyone else using any of these services? how did your kids react? that's what I fear is going to be the biggest battle. they understood the controls for the home computer, but I think they want their phones to be off limits!
anthony john
Posts: 2
From: germany
Registered: 8/26/10
(18 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

Aug 26, 2010 4:01 AM
Hi, I would suggest you use mypornblocker to block internet access. Mypornblocker would filter and block ALL explicit content sites, especially porn. Also this is hidden in the system of your computer. This would help you greatly to block internet access to porn. Check this site out to help you with internet parental control
Mimmy23
Posts: 16
Registered: 4/6/10
(17 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

May 25, 2010 8:23 AM
I prefer to use ActyMac DutyWatch Remote.
DutyWatch Remote is a computer monitoring and recording program that is capable of capturing every software used, every website visited, every keystroke made, even every instant message chat.
Rita09
Posts: 5
Registered: 5/5/10
(16 of 30)

Re: Parental Software: Monitoring vs Filtering

May 14, 2010 12:07 PM
I had previously posted elsewhere on this site a new threat inviting discussion on monitoring vs privacy, as Tim Hunt addresses from his point-of-view in this thread. I think Tim raises a very good point which I have heard echoed repeatedly in different forums and when talking with other parents.

Personally, I guess I come back to the position of its all in how you choose to use the tool. I still advocate use of monitoring, but to Tim's point, with much restraint. You can generally monitor activity without reading their e-mails, etc. I use it to simply keep an eye on where they are spending their time, what new activities they seem to be getting into.

I feel I have a healthy relationship with my kids, but as teenagers, I also know i don't always get the whole story, and omission is something that come easily for them, be it intentional or unintentional.

So without too much snooping, I can have a sense of their online activity and interests, which enables me to more intelligently steer the occasional conversation to a related topic that in turn enables me to learn a bit more directly from my kids.

As someone else posted (to paraphrase a bit) our kids may know computers better than us, but we know life better than them...and they do not always appreciate the danger or risk associated with some online activities.

Just my two cents.
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