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Definition: parental control software


A special browser or filtering program designed to reject websites not suited for children. Such programs may screen pages by word content, site rating or by URL, using an updated database of objectionable sites, or any combination of these techniques. Parental control software is also built into Windows and Mac computers, as well as smartphones and tablets. However, third-party apps are also available that offer more flexibility, such as Cyber Patrol, CYBERsitter, Net Nanny and SurfControl See PICS, ICRA and Internet filtering.




Time Restrictions in Windows
On Windows PCs, parents can set up a separate account for each child and allow or block every hour of the week. When a blocked hour is reached, all access to that account is shut off.






Who Knows More
The kid or the parent? Children often know more about how to configure software than their parents. (Cartoon courtesy of Robert Schelling.)