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Anyone use BSafe?

DePasta

DePasta

Stop it! That tickles!
Joined
Jul 23, 2005
Messages
2,665
My daughter got a laptop for Christmas, she is 10 yrs. old. Since then I have been manually monitoring her activity on the net and she has not encountered any of the "crap" but as she gets more familiar with Google and chat rooms.....I am looking for something a little less hands on by me.

I hear the adds for Bsafe software and wonder if anyone else uses it? What are your opinions? Are there any other modes of control besides your standards contained in the browsers and Google's safe search function?

Thanks for your input.
 
Haven't heard of BSafe, but I assume it's like NetNanny, CyberSitter, etc. right? I looked into these awhile ago for a "just in case" kind of thing as the kids begin searching Google. They were all pretty much the same, honestly. A little Google searching of your own will bring up some reviews comparing them. I want to say CyberSitter looked to be the best for my situation, but it's been awhile.

---John Holmes...
 
I've installed Net Nanny and Cyber on clients machines and both are good programs. Heres a link to Parental Control Software Reviews that you might find interesting. Also Google and you'll get a bunch more. There is also Parental control in Vista, but I'm not sure how effective it really is and how easily the kids can get around it. (not that they would do that..;) )

art
 
I used the SpectorSoft program.

This is a password protected program that runs in the background and will send you an e-mail on a scheduled basis with a record of every web site, e-mail, chat session, etc. It misses nothing. It even snaps a picture of their desktop and any open windows every five minutes.

I went with a program this in-depth because we had an occasion where my daughter was approached on-line and we wanted to keep a written record of everything.


http://www.spectorsoft.com/



Edit: I should also add that when they decided boys were no longer "ickey" I changed the e-mail deliveries to their mother. I thought this was better for my blood pressure. :thumbs:
 
I don't really think this applies for the situation at hand, but let it be known that even in high school with my school district's extremely expensive, constantly updated security system, using proxies made it possible to almost always bypass it. For situation where the child is TRYING to view material you don't want them to (more along the lines of middle school boys), you'll have to find one that has good updates to keep blocking new proxy sites that pop up.

Sorry if I'm blowing smoke, I just used to be a pro at finding a way to play net games on the school computers :p and the same method can be used to view less innocent material.
 
I single mom colleague of mine at work installed it for her sons computer who I believe was 12? at the time. She said she tried it alot and was very impressed with it and recommended it.
 
Alright! Thanks for the advise and recommendations. I had seen many of the reviews and comparisons on line but wanted some of the unbiased opinions and knowledge of the men and women of CP. I have some time to research and that is what I will continue to do......
 
Your kids will find a way around it if they want. :(

I'd advise the one that logs websites and such, but even then...
 
robbiex0r said:
Your kids will find a way around it if they want. :(

I'd advise the one that logs websites and such, but even then...
Click to expand...

You are so right about that Rob. The kids are always going to be leaps and bounds ahead of us and as parents we need to have the mindset that this is how its going to be. I mean lets face it , they are growing up with this, while we had to learn on the fly. The software is a good first line of defense against cyber-bullies, stalking, and all the other little nasties that are hanging out there on the Net. But your best line of defense is good communication and a watchful eye on the kids. The really need to know that good still exists out there too, but that bad exists as well. I know when mine were maturing into their early teens we always talked.

ahahahahah I remember this... "sighhhhhhhhhh, I KNOW dad. I remember what you said. (my response) GREAT..just checking"

I dont think you can ever check too much on them..
;)
art
 
I have some sites blocked through my router. PM me I can help you do this.

I also do not allow computers in the bedrooms. I have a common area at the top of the stairs that the kids use.

Never tried bsafe. But I do go through the history on the browsers from time to time. I have been lucky so far.
My kids are pretty good.

God help me get through the next couple years and I am done!
 
I thought I'd put my input in as a younger member (not a father and still in school).

When I was younger, my parents never put any software on my computer to monitor or block me. And, I got my own computer in my own room starting around 13 or 14. They warned me about all of the crap on the internet, and granted because they didn't have any blocking software, etc. I did run into porn and whatnot. But more importantly I didn't get myself into trouble. I took heed of their "ok, so you're young and shouldn't talk too openly with strangers and should protect yourself when you're on the internet" and their "you can still get hurt and in trouble on and through the internet." In all honesty, I think those talks really kept me safer than any blocking software could have done. Sure, I was under 18 when I first found porn (but I mean, who wasn't?), but I tried to make sure I didn't get into trouble.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that I believe education is the key. You are the parent, and if you feel as if you need to install these softwares, please do. I know I'm not in the same position as you parents are. However, I think you should also consider talking very earnestly with your kids about how to be safe on the internet, how to deal with cyber-bullying, and other issues. Eventually they'll want a Facebook or MySpace, and, as many members have already said, they'll probably get one even if you block it at home or not. Teaching them to be safe will go a longer way in protecting your kids, I think. I know I might have rolled my eyes and seemed slightly annoyed, but I listened enough. Of course I might just be saying stuff you guys have already think of. I probably am, actually. :)

But yeah, take my comments with a grain of salt. I'm not a parent, so I can't say I know exactly your situation. Best of luck, though, in the laptop department!
 
It's a great idea to get this software if nothing more than for your kid to THINK you are monitoring everything they do. Cause lets face it, anyone will learn how to clear browser history and adjust that Google safe search fast if they want to view something inappropriate. There are some great options, some will go as far as recording every keystroke or some just show every site visited.

You mentioned chat rooms, I don't know which kind she is going to but generally this is a bad idea. Your standard AIM (AOL Instant Messanger), MSN, Yahoo, etc programs where you can talk to friends is not bad. You personally pick who you talk to. But I would be cautious to let her enter random chatrooms on AIM or any other site. Most are filled with foul language and inappropriate spam. Well, maybe not CP's :laugh:
 
Hot Coffee said:
It's a great idea to get this software if nothing more than for your kid to THINK you are monitoring everything they do. Cause lets face it, anyone will learn how to clear browser history and adjust that Google safe search fast if they want to view something inappropriate. There are some great options, some will go as far as recording every keystroke or some just show every site visited.

You mentioned chat rooms, I don't know which kind she is going to but generally this is a bad idea. Your standard AIM (AOL Instant Messanger), MSN, Yahoo, etc programs where you can talk to friends is not bad. You personally pick who you talk to. But I would be cautious to let her enter random chatrooms on AIM or any other site. Most are filled with foul language and inappropriate spam. Well, maybe not CP's :laugh:
Click to expand...

Well, as far as chat rooms she is on the strictly moderated sites like Club Penguin, Webkinz and Hanna Montana nothing overly public like AOL and all those.

Also, as far a talking to her, this will not be a substitute for that, just another brick in the wall. I also know that many figure out ways around them, look at me, I have found ways around the corporate firewall and Novell restrictions on my company laptop....
 
Now I need one. How'd it go with BSafe? I need to block Facebook and monitor net activity. Looks like I'm getting custody of my somewhat bent 15yo granddaughter.
 
I wouldn't bother with those apps. If I were you, I'd setup a proxy and only allow a handful of safe sites, and exclude all search engines. If she's 10, she probably doesn't really need to search for anything... I'd allow sites like Disney, etc... It'll save you money too...
 
Rod said:
I wouldn't bother with those apps. If I were you, I'd setup a proxy and only allow a handful of safe sites, and exclude all search engines. If she's 10, she probably doesn't really need to search for anything... I'd allow sites like Disney, etc... It'll save you money too...
Click to expand...

What Rod said is true....I used Bsafe for a few months it was fine, then someone showed me the above mentioned methods, and also how to use Vista to control sites....So I decided to save the $$$$. Been working fine.....
 
Yep, set her up an account and you control the master password for parental controls. You can set it up to only pull what sites you want, and it won't pull anything else.

I have it set up on our Dell, granted I only have to worry about a 9 yr old, but it works well.
 
I need easy as much as I need secure. She is 15 and quite intelligent - but behaving stupidly. I played out the rope once and she wrapped it around my neck. No more testing. As much as I need to block some, I need to watch all.
 
beyond the band said:
I have some sites blocked through my router. PM me I can help you do this.

I also do not allow computers in the bedrooms. I have a common area at the top of the stairs that the kids use.

Never tried bsafe. But I do go through the history on the browsers from time to time. I have been lucky so far.
My kids are pretty good.

God help me get through the next couple years and I am done!
Click to expand...

I'm in an interesting situation, at 24 years old, I've been with my girlfriend for 3 years now, and talks are getting serious, ie, marriage, house, kids, etc. These types of topics come up all the time, and I have to say one "downfall" of my teenage years was family separation. My parents are still married, so I'm not referring to their relationship, but more so the fact that I had a computer, TV, video game systems, etc, etc, in my own room where I could close the door and go unwatched. It was common practice to stay up far later than I should have, not sleep when I should have, and avoid their rules by doing things at night when they were asleep. I found myself at 14 talking in one of those "20 and over" AOL chat rooms, and had it not been for my mom walking in on the conversation, was stupid enough to plan on meeting this "girl" (because you never are sure who is really on the other side of the internet) whom I spoke to everyday.

That being said, what Beyond the Band said is, in my opinion, ideal. I personally will not have laptops in my home for my kids (if and when they come along), their computers will be in a common place that is easily visible by myself or my wife, probably will end up being in my home office, but that's yet to be determined. And, I'm still not even 100% sure how I feel about televisions. As far as TV's are concerned, I'd far prefer to have one in the master bedroom or the man cave (basement) and give up the den to them, then know that they run to their rooms right after dinner to watch TV. MTV will certainly be banned just as one example because it's not the MTV from the early 90's, the trash on their programming is the reason my sister (5 years younger then me) is a delinquent.

Sorry for the long post, but I have a think about stuff like this a lot.
 
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