Parental Control Software

We use noodlenet which awesome! The kids cannot get out of it without you entering a password. They also have so many websites that are already preloaded it makes it awesome! I highly recommmend it!

You didn't say how old your kids are, but the ones that I am going to suggest are effective even with sneaky teenagers. The first one is free. It is called K9 Web Protection. http://www1.k9webprotection.com/ It is user friendly. It allows you to set times, specific sites and types of sites to avoid and to allow. When it blocks a site, it makes a dog barking sound and allows you as the parent to either allow the site or they have to to an allowed site. It allows me to see where they have been and what time. We have used this one for several years with success. The only time I had a problem was with our boys and not with the filter. They decided that they could figure out what the password was. We had a long discussion on hacking and then they were grounded for a long time.
The second filter that I really like is called SnoopStick. http://snoopstick.com/ This one does cost about $60 but depending on your situation, it is really worth it. This one works by installing the program (via a thumb drive) onto up to 3 computers. In my situation, 2 of the computers are the teen's computers and one is mine. The program runs in stealth mode on the teens computers. The thumb drive stays on my computer. From my desk, I am able to log into Snoopstick and "look" into thier computer and "see" what they are doing real time. If I don't like what site they are on, I have the ability from my desk, to shut them down. They never know what hit them. :) You can also send them a message like "You know you aren't supposed to be on this site". It really freaks them out, because they don't know it's you sending the message. I also have the ability to read thier IMs, emails etc. I can see what sites they have been on and when. This program also allows you to set times that they are allowed on.
We homeschooled for several years using an online charter school. It was very difficult to screen the sites with some of the other filters out there. Also, with the boys being older (early teens), I wasn't in the room the whole time like I would have been when they were younger.
Both filters are great and I use them both. I wish you luck.

I use Cyberpatrol and have used it for about 4 or 5 years. It costs $39.99 a year but it upgrades itself automatically. I have an older computer and it does not slow it down at all. I tried several free programs and several free trials of other programs and as an adult was able to get around all of them except Cyberpatrol. It is still not a perfect system but I believe it is the best of those I tried.
One of the best features is that it logs all the web pages everyone visits or tries to visit. My teens know it does this and they know I look at these regularly. Just the fact that I can see what pages they have been viewing has been enough.
Even if you don't use Cyberpatrol use something. The internet is a wonderful tool but we are responsible for protecting our children from the harm that is out there.
I have three kids, 22, 18 and 15. The 18 year old still has Cyberpatrol on his own computer by his own choice; he says it keeps him accountable.

Another to add to the list is Childsafe by webroot. We have been using it for years with great success, to our teenager's dismay. You can purchase it online or at places like Best Buy. It costs around 39.99. It also comes bundled with a great virus scan product or a spy sweeper, if you need.

We like the K9 web protection, too!

If what you are using now doesn't work out, or you need a supplement that helps you log every key stroke, we are using Family Keylogger, v. 2.8 and its free to try out, and relatively inepensive to buy. You can log every keystroke. It shows you where they've gone and who is logged in if you have set up seperate accounts for each person with their own password. It has a stealth mode so that they don't know they are being watched and a code only you would know in order to view the log. Go to spyarsenal.com to download a trial version.

I researched this topic fully - I selected a fantastic product called Safe eyes. Here's the link: http://www.internetsafety.com/safe-eyes/

It is fabulous - It gives you control over so many areas, I can't take the time to list them!! It is good for up to 3 computers in your home for one price (49.95 yearly), and you can set different control levels for every family member!! I can even control how much time different family members get on line - for internet and e-mail etc. I have NOT noticed a slow down of the computer at all.
There is a 30 day money back guarantee. I cannot recommend it more highly. It is worth more than it costs to make sure you have the safety you want!!
C.

My husband and I are getting ready to install spyware on our mac COMPUTER.

I have AOL and I love it. You can set up Parental Controls with it. You put in a specific time and how long you want your kids on the computer. Once they reach that limit it lets you know how man seconds you have so you can save your and it shuts down and it does not allow the child back on the computer unless they know the parents password. So I suggest that you change your password and don't give it to them. Anyways, it also has an option on there we can deny to open any attachments or have any pictures sent to them. It also allows you to block websites.