Parental controls: Difference between revisions
Alice Wyman (talk | contribs) (replaced bad link for ZyXel HomeSafe with link to CNET review; added info on Windows Vista, added External links section) |
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== Extensions == | == Extensions == | ||
Extensions can provide content blocking | Extensions can provide content blocking but they can be easily disabled by a knowledgeable user and cannot provide filtering for other software, such as Internet Explorer or instant messaging applications. | ||
*[https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/5881 Glubble for Families] - "Family Fun Browsing" | *[https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/5881 Glubble for Families] - "Family Fun Browsing" | ||
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*[https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/4476 LeechBlock] Time limit web site usage. | *[https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/4476 LeechBlock] Time limit web site usage. | ||
You can search at [https://addons.mozilla.org addons.mozilla.org] for [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/search?q=parental+control&cat=all other parental control add-ons]. | |||
== Greasemonkey scripts == | == Greasemonkey scripts == | ||
Revision as of 11:21, 9 August 2009
Firefox and SeaMonkey do not feature built-in parental controls, content filtering, pornography blocking, or website blocking features. Thanks to the extension mechanism, however, you can add these yourself. Additionally, web filtering software is available which will filter the internet for any program on your computer.
Extensions
Extensions can provide content blocking but they can be easily disabled by a knowledgeable user and cannot provide filtering for other software, such as Internet Explorer or instant messaging applications.
- Glubble for Families - "Family Fun Browsing"
- ProCon for Firefox provides a content blocking mechanism. It is suitable for blocking accidental visits to objectionable sites, but not intentional visits because the filter is blunt, leaving many objectionable sites accessible and blocking access to non-objectionable sites.
- LeechBlock Time limit web site usage.
You can search at addons.mozilla.org for other parental control add-ons.
Greasemonkey scripts
There are several Greasemonkey scripts which can be used to filter out vulgar language. As with other extensions, Greasemonkey is easily disabled and the filters cannot affect other programs.
Web filtering software
Third party web filtering software can filter objectionable content from all programs. Many Internet Service Providers provide free parental control mechanisms. Contact your ISP for more information.
While no software can completely block all objectionable contact, third-party software exists that can provide a very high filter level. Some examples:
There are also a few sites which review the effectiveness of such filters:
Router filtering
The most reliable filtering of content is done before it gets to your computer. If you have a broadband internet connection, then you can use a router with parental controls. This router would be placed between your cable/dsl modem and your computer. If you have multiple computers, they can all use the same router, so you need not purchase multiple copies. You may optionally purchase a 3rd party filtering service which the router can use.
Routers with parental filtering:
- ZyXel HomeSafe and similar products (CNET review)
Other solutions
- Windows Vista includes parental controls (read this for setting them up). Starting in Firefox 3, Windows Vista parental controls are partially honored (currently for disabling file downloads). See this blog post and bug 355554 for more information.
- OpenDNS is a free service that protects your entire network, including your browser, from websites based on criteria you choose.
- How to block content, parental controls, Surf anonymously (MozillaZine forum thread)
- No Block Sites Option? Why not? (MozillaZine forum thread)
