This post was submitted sometime back, but never made the list as it was lost
in the shuffle by moderator.  Although the response is not timely to the
questions raised, the information might still be useful to parents (and
spouses?) on the list.

The question of tracking a child's online activities was raised awhile back.
For those on AOL, they have parental controls under SETTINGS/PARENTAL
CONTROLS.  The problem seems to be that they will only allow access to sites
they have rated.  It's a blunt tool, blocking even search engines, but it
limits access.

I.E. also has controls under TOOLS/INTERNET OPTIONS/CONTENT.  It is password
controlled by level of sex, violence, language, nudity.  Not sure how many
sites are accessible.  I know it is excellent at blocking most anything in
the lowest risk level.  Not the best option, but better to be too limiting
than too permissive.  It can be turned on and off via password, so you can
permit access when you can supervise, and shut if off when you can't.  There
is an option to override the blocking mechanism, via password, including
allowing sites to be viewed every time, not just the current visit.  Even if
your AOL parental controls are turned off, the I.E. controls are in effect.
Not sure if it is as effective on other ISP's or browsers.

What prompted this post was information available at http://www.oprah.com/
from the February 7, 2002
show.

Because I don't know how long this page will be available on Oprah.com, the
following sites are referenced, the first and last being McAfee products:

http://www.neoworx.com
http://www.bpssoft.com/PowerTools/pt_comp.htm
http://www.securitysoft.com
http://www.webroot.com/childsafe1.htm
http://kids.mcafee.com

Whether you tell your kid what you're doing upfront, or do it
surreptitiously, as a parent you have a responsibility to protect them from
predators.  I would no longer let my son tour the Internet alone than let him
walk through a red-light district, or a bar or a casino unsupervised, if at
all.

William Closure

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