Norton has compiled a list of the top US kids online searches last year and near the top of the pile was the somewhat predictable searches for “sex” and “porn” which were number four and five respectively with those aged 18 and under.

Norton, which is the anti-virus software made by Symantec, make the point that whilst parents may live in hope their teenage offspring are searching for things like the blockbuster movie hit New Moon, or in the case of the seven and unders Sesame Street, their kids will also be finding out a few other things as well.

However, the good news is that the top three kids’ searches in 2009 were YouTube, Google and Facebook.

But Norton advises parents to be aware of what their children are searching for, as each of the first three choices above can of course lead to highly inappropriate content. They are also recommend using a software package to help parents keep an eye on their kids online searches. The Norton OnlineFamily is one such choice for those parents keen to get help.

And when the stats are shown for those searches including the words Sex and Porn, there seems little differences between the boys and the girls. For example, although for boys the search term sex came in at number four, for girls it was only one less at number five. In case you were wondering, girls put the search words Taylor Swift in at number four.

As for the boy’s top 25 searches, they were mostly concerned, apart from the adult related words, with social networking and shopping sites, and games. The girls also had a panache for social networking sites, but were more interested in music, TV, film and celebrity sites.

Not surprisingly perhaps, recently deceased pop mega star Michael Jackson was the most popular celebrity search last year with kids, coming in at number 12, with Taylor Swift at number 13. Other top celebrity searches included Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Lil Wayne, Megan Fox, Eminem, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, the Black Eyed Peas, the Jonas Brothers, Rihanna, and Chris Brown.

Marian Merritt, Norton Internet Safety Advocate, said:
“When it comes to online threats, parents need to be concerned about more than just their child running into inappropriate content. What makes OnlineFamily.Norton unique is that it gives parents insight into kids’ online activities and what interests them most so that parents can ensure they have a discussion with them about topics they’re curious about, as well as protect them from cyber threats.”

Guest Article by Neil Camp

Learn how to control your kids surfing here

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