Computer security giant McAfee has introduced a new software programme that prevents children from online dangers such as viewing bad content, getting involved in cyber-bullying and engaging in communications on social networking sites.

Known as McAfee Family Protection, it gives parents a chance to not only protect their kids whilst online, but also to teach their offspring safe surfing habits and techniques.

Brent Remai, vice president of consumer marketing at McAfee, said:
“Cyber threats are increasing exponentially, and at the same time more and more children are spending time online. I see these dangers every day and the threats are very real for kids. It takes both education and technology to protect kids from online dangers, and the McAfee Family Protection software makes it simple for parents to keep their kids safe online.”

McAfee revealed that 62% of parents worry just as much about teenage online safety, as they do about drinking and driving. Furthermore, studies have shown that 52% of teenagers have provided personal information online to people they didn’t know. What’s more, one out of 17 children have been bullied, harassed, or threatened online.

McAfee Family Protection includes a number of unique features. Foremost, is its ability to be structured in terms of the child’s age group. Then comes parental emails, or texts, which warn when their child is trying to access banned websites. Parents can also filter out inappropriate YouTube videos and also block instant messaging and email services. And it does all this without exposing the computer user to unnecessary screen advertising.

And for those parents who cannot be near their child’s computer for long periods of time, they can create and change settings remotely by logging onto a website where they can access their personal account.

It costs from $39.99 and works with various other McAfee computer security products, including McAfee VirusScan® Plus, McAfee Internet Security and McAfee Total Protection.

Features include:

• Web Blocking. Lets parents block up to 35 categories of bad content including pornography, hate sites and school cheating;
• Program Blocking. Helps avoid programmes such as peer-to- peer file sharing programs that may disable family PCs;
• E-mail Content Management. Allows parents to pre- approve e-mail addresses of friends and block unknown e-mail addresses. It can also completely block Web-based email;
• Social Networking. This feature records and alerts parents when inappropriate, or personal information is posted to popular social networking sites;
• Instant Messaging. Lets parents monitor and record instant messaging chats. Parents can also block IM programs that are installed on the PC by using the Program Blocking feature.
• Time Limits. This enable families to select the amount of time children and teens can use the Internet.
• Reports. Provides parents with a complete view of sites visited, including banned sites, as well as recorded IM activity.
• Instant Alerts. These are provided by e-mails, or texts, and warn parents when access to bad material is attempted and when confidential information is posted on social networking sites.

Guest Article by Neil Camp