PG Key: Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet
July 2, 2009 by Kimberly · 7 Comments
Congrats to the winner: Alejandra
Back in April, I attended a parenting workshop. One of the things that we discussed was how important it is for parents to protect their kids from various things. One of the things that were mentioned in particular was the Internet. I think the presenter has a more negative opinion of the Internet (he compared it to a sewer!) than I personally hold. One thing that I did agree with though is that it is important for parents to have filters on their home computers.
I especially like the PG Key that I was sent to review. It’s a key that parents plug into their computer to protect their kids while they are online. Since my kids are small, I don’t let them use the computer alone anyway, but sometimes I have to walk out of the room for a few minutes. That is why I like the fact that I can filter and block inappropriate websites from coming up. Also, I know that Michael can’t use the computer while I’m away unless the key is in. You can actually record and watch everything that your kid is doing while online with this key too. I’m not especially worried about my kids’ Internet usage at this time, but I’m happy that we’re getting in the practice of using the Internet in a safe way. (It’s so much easier to continue with a practice as kids get older rather than try to introduce new habits later down the line!) Mostly, I like that the key is simple and easy to use. You just plug it into your computer to install it, set up a password and it starts filtering right away.
Sometimes pictures/videos help to “drive home” a product’s strengths a bit better than words, so below is a 60 second commercial that I found on YouTube about the product:
In any event, I think that the PG Key ($59.95) is a great investment in online safety.
Tell me…What do you to keep your kids safe (online or off)? (I’ll pick one of the “Comments” at the end of the month and send that reader their very own PG Key.)
Have a safe summer!
our son loves sesamestreet.org –they have a safe mode on it that doesnt allow him to click on any other web page but that one-so he can be independently at the computer without us worrying.
My son has recently started to enjoy various children’s websites, like sproutonline.com and sesamestreet.org. He is still too young to be able to do any of it by himself, so my husband and I are sure to always be there with him. We try to block any pop-ups because you never know just what might pop up while he’s on the computer. But I will definitely have to look into the PG Key for when he starts using the computer himself. Sounds like a wondeful investment!
Jeanette’s last blog post..Nana’s a Butterfly
For now, each person in the household has their own log in and the kids had to give us their password. Whenever they are on the computer, we are nearby looking over their shoulders. We also check their history. Not sure what we will do when they figure out how to erase history!
My kids are young, 2.5 and 5.5 yrs old, though they do play on the internet. They can only play under adult supervision, otherwise they may physically break the computer accidentally. As far as keeping them safe (on and off line), my 2 kids are very close to each other, and they watch out for each other. Our 5.5 yr old daughter has always been proud that she takes care of baby brother, and our 2.5 yr old son really looks up to her to. They play together, learn together, and shares their toys. For instance, the little one brings story book to the big one and ask her to read for him at bedtime. Of course they are plenty of key-logs web-block type products out there, but at least for now, since I’m sitting next to them at the computer terminal, we haven’t installed such commmercial lock down yet. I’m sure as they grow older (pre-teens?) they may figure out ways to “cheat” together too. But as far as I can tell, they haven’t developed such negative attribute yet.
Even though my daughter is only 3 1/2 she is very atracted to our computer. So we try to teach her how to use the Internet, this being which pages are fun and educational. We feel in our home that kids have to be given instructions to able to follow directions. It is never too early to teach.
The computer is in the livingroom where we can monitor see what they R doing at all times .Also, They have 2 ask permission 2 use the computer
My 7 and 8 year olds like cartoonnetwork games so they usually play those type of games with me nearby. I do have parental controls set up on aol for them. I also have a 16 yr old …but he often goes off to the library with his laptop. letessha@yahoo.com