Advice on lockdown...

[Imager]

I have an 8yr boy who is very responsible with the PC and knows what he can go on, not go on...listen to/watch on youtube etc. However my Fiance' also has an 8yr boy who constantly goes on inappropriate youtube videos and other website (online gaming sites). She wanted to do a full lockdown and I thought that would be unfair because my son is very responsible.
What would be the best solution other then making their own separate accounts on the PC. They use my PC and I have it set for only 1 login, and always leave it "on". I have no problem with leaving it on and them using it, just looking for the best option to "trust" the other 8yr old, but so (if possible) lock down certain things.
Example - just yesterday he was watching just a music video, but it showed killings and dead people coming out of a cemetery. Then he said - Look they got killed then came back to life. I/we don't want him thinking that it's ok to kill cause people come back to life...

Thx!

 

[Devilpapaya]

There are parental controls you can activate in the control panel. I've never delved too deep into them to know the options and configurations, but if its like anything else on windows, you should be able to figure it out clicking around for half and hour. This would require you to create a seperate account for the kids and remember to lock yours (or put it on a time-out period). This should work well enough without restricting the responsible one less he not be going responsible sites.

Alternatively (perhaps the better option than trusting M$ to babysit your kids) supervised computer time?

 

[PowerEngineer]

Parental controls is always a controversial topic in the forums, however as a parent I can tell you that I would never let my children have unmanged access to the internet. Even if you believe your 8-year-old is "responsible" now, you shouldn't bet his well being on the hope that he will continue to be; wait till he's a teenager! My advice to you is to establish good computer use rules now.

I would definitely set up individual user accounts for every person in the household (and make them all limited accounts with you holding the administrator account). Make it a "no-no" to share passwords and/or use someone else's login.

I'd also modify file/folder priviledges to ensure that one user can't trash another user's files (especially if you are using the PC for finances or taxes!).

I'd use parental controls. I know that Vista/Win7 have some parental control capabilities, but haven't used them. I've mostly used Norton. Although they had a couple of bad years not long ago, their product now seems to be back where it should be. Norton allows internet filtering on an account by account basis (which means you can limit your kids to age appropriate sites without limiting yourself). You can also specifically block or allow indvidual sites.

Good luck!

 

[Modelworks]

A program I really like is called mykidsbrowser.
It doesn't change settings on your pc and you don't need to install anything but the program . It is a browser for kids that when you install ask the parent for a password. The parent can add sites, change settings, and then click the lock desktop button and the browser will take over the screen. The kids are locked into it and cannot close it or change anything without the password. It is a really well done program.

It has a free trial and is only $29 if you want to buy it.

http://www.mykidsbrowser.com/


Another fairly new one on the scene I have used some but not much , don't have little kids in the home anymore is kidzui. It is free but requires you to make an account. They have more content and add sites that they have reviewed so it may be better depending on what your kids like.
http://www.kidzui.com/

One big bonus to kidzui is they have youtube on board and have a site just for kids:
http://video.kidzui.com/