I recently ran across a couple family friendly web browsers dedicated to keeping children safe when surfing online I thought I’d share them with you.
The PC (XP or higher) version is KidRocket
It’s features:
- Full featured childrens web browser
- Fun, family friendly web sites for kids
- Digital Clock
- Built-in popup blocker
- Internet filter - Web blocker, except for approved sites view current sites
From their About Page:
Its really simple really. Instead of letting the browser have access to the whole world wide web & ‘trying’ to filter out the bad content, like most childrens internet browsers & filtering software do. We blocked out the entire internet & only let the browser access limited, top quality, child related sites that we programmed into it! Its kind of a K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) approach, but it works great!
The Mac verison (10.4 or higher) is bumpercar
Its features:
Filtering
- Forces Google (and other popular search engines) to use their SafeSearch features. This reduces objectionable content when a child visits these necessary sites.
Blocks profanity
- If a page contains a curse word, BumperCar will detect it and redirect to a built-in page. The profanity list is completely customizable by parents and educators.
Prevents use of personal data
- This checkbox allows parents to specify the information that children should not be allowed to type in a Web browser window… a child’s name or home address for instance.
Whitelist
- Children can only access the sites that are listed on an approved list of websites. The age-appropriate whitelists in BumperCar are easily modified to include the websites of your local school, church, or to reflect your child’s individual interests.
Blacklists
- To quickly and easily block a particular site, simply add its URL to a blacklist.
Full support for ICRA (Internet Content Rating Authority)
- Provides full filtering of pages whose publishers have self-rated their content.
Limits time the child can spend online
- Prevents use during certain hours (such as bedtime) and limits the total number of hours your child can spend online per day.
BumperCar 2.0: The Mac OS X web browser just for kids. Offering unparalleled content-control and customization features, BumperCar is the most powerful Mac web browser for concerned educators and parents alike.
This isn’t a review, and I can’t say I’ve used either of the browsers but I’d be interested in what you think. Try them out! What else do you use to keep your kids safe online?
-Gavin
gbaker
saslack
leemartin
kkarel
dnorman
rnoe
brittanydavidson
Kid Rocket is nice but lacks a great deal for older children, My six year old is much more intelligent than 90 percent of the sites offered, my 2 year old would love. Nice interface and easy use, needs more parental options and flexibilty.
Thanks for the review John. Have you found any other browsers that work better for your six year old?
I am in search of kid friendly browser and come across this blog. I agree with John that kid rocket is somewhat limited. other ones that i’ve come across that i thought you’d like know.
- Gubble: a firefox add-on, this seems promising allowing flexibility
- KidZui: i think it’s subscription base and heavily moderated
- Shreks browser
@anon - I’ve heard of Gubble, but never tried it out. Have you used it? If so, what’s your review?
Thanks for the comments.