ITWire

Some parents shun technological fixes to prevent children accessing inappropriate content and services on the Internet (or simply spending too much time in front of the screen), preferring measures such as guidance and trust, or simply keeping computers and other devices in family areas.

If the software route suits your style, McAfee has updated its Family Protection product.

In addition to established features such as web filtering, program blocking, IM monitoring, email filtering (to block messages from unfamiliar addresses), social network and YouTube filtering, and time limit enforcement, the new version provides additional controls.

They are age-appropriate settings; filtering Internet TV, music and games; mandatory of 'safe search' setting on major search engines; the ability to change settings remotely, and the scheduled generation of usage reports.

"The digital landscape has changed drastically in the last two years with teens and tweens beginning to use the Internet at a much younger age," says Melanie Cole, consumer marketing programs director for McAfee Asia Pacific. "McAfee Family Protection empowers parents by giving them a greater understanding of the online world and how their kids are engaging with it, ensuring they're just as internet-savvy and aware of all the online dangers."

The $49.95 package covers three PCs and works with Windows XP and later.