Computer Parental Controls

You will get a lot of suggestions about great software, and I would definitely go with one of them. But don't forget that NOTHING replaces the vigilance of a parent!!!!
The computer MUST MUST MUST stay in a public area! Start now and when she's a teen it won't be an issue. Always watch what she is doing when she's on the computer. Talk to her about what to do if she accidentally gets to a site that is not okay (close the browser immediately) - becuase some people are really jerks and will work hard to bypass any software - and someone will succeed. Start talking to her now about good-touch/bad-touch (this is not specifically computer related, but it is a natural lead in to if she sees images). Keep it age-appropriate, but she needs to hear it (they start teaching it in school as young as kindergarten, and even preschool, too). If you arm yourself and your daughter with knowledge of what to watch for and avoid, and what to do when it does sneak in, you will be helping her for years to come in safe internet practice.

Find the sites you want her going to and save them in her favorites, then teach her how to find them there, rather than trying to type in the URL. It'll get her there a lot more quickly and avoid her accidentally going to the wrong place.

And here's a great website to take her to early on: www.starfall.com . It is a letter recognition/early reading skills program that all my kids (my own and the 80+ kindergartners I have taught over the years) have really liked. Enjoy!!

My 5 year old daughter uses the internet through a program called Kid Zui. www.kidzui.com She opens it up instead of internet explorer or firefox. It has controls built into it and has tons of fun games for her to play. Definitely look into setting the controls on it before she gets it for Christmas so it will be ready for her to play on it if she wants to. Also, you can and should have your internet password protected she she can't get on by herself. Good luck.

My kids are much older---but I have heard of "Safe Eyes" and I believe it is geared more towards younger children. If you go to DaveRamsey.com and then enter "safe eyes" I'm sure it will come up. It is a product he advertises on his show.

I think it's sweet that your hubby wants to get her everything! Please thank him for protecting our country! And thank you to you and your daughter for "sharing" him with the rest of the country!! God bless you all!
K.

Before you go buy a software program, please check what parental software already exists on your computer. My daughter is the same age is yours and doe not do a lot on the computer yet. However, the tools on the computer are sufficient. Check into what you have before investing in more.

Your first line of control is keeping it in the living room and only letting him use it when and how long you say so. Set a kitchen timer when he starts and when times up, shut it down. Absolutely do not let him think he can just turn it on any time he wants to. If he starts turning it on anyway, use plug locks and confiscate batteries. If you set a good precedent now, you'll save yourself a world of trouble as he gets to tween/ teen age. As my son got older, he'd have to have homework and chores completed before he could use the computer for fun/games. He likes to read, so most of the time he'll grab a book instead of asking for the computer. Recreational reading - it's a good habit to be in.