Or more accurately KiDSBrowse from KiDSafe Technologies is a new browser for “safer internet” usage by children on Windows & Macs.
Very recently released, it’s main benefits are:
- parental controls
- malware resistance from viruses and spyware
- and a simple, colorful interface.
As a default KiDSBrowse has 13 kid-safe websites (see below) already included with parents, teachers, etc able to add more. One of the nicer benefits is that with any configured site you get the ability to restrict access to parent, parallel, or sub-directories for each site.
The pre-installed websites are: Cartoon Network; Crayola; Disney; FunBrain; KidMango; Kidz Vidz; Leading to Reading; Nickelodeon; PBSKids; Poptropica; SesameStreet and Starfall. A very obvious bias towards American sites but these are all editable!
KiDSBrowse has two modes of operation – adults and kids. In the adult mode the browser operates like most any other but it’s main purpose is in setting up; monitoring and filtering of kids mode. In kids mode the browser becomes a full screen application making accidental clicks outside of the browser mean nothing – though any computer savvy child would probably know ways to circumvent this and just use one of the many other browsers out there.
Once in the kid mode there are only three available navigation buttons – home, forward and backward – and each approved site is presented as a large square icon on the home page. Because of this and the nature of its apparent security (I haven’t tested it extensively to comment further) and because of the $39.95 price tag I feel that the browser is firmly aimed at very young children. Probably only up to about age 6 or maybe 7 depending on how sheltered an upbringing the child has had. Once your child reaches this age the attraction of big buttons or severe restrictions on their browsing habits or indeed expected homework research becomes a painful pill to swallow for both the parent administrating the setup and the child trying to use it.
If you want a simple to use setup for younger children then grab a 7 day trial copy and give it a test drive.
For older children, in my opinion, there are better alternatives.
Wow! Thanks for the recommendation…Do you have any for older kids, like teens?
Hi Christine and thanks for the comment. And yes, I do have an older child who is now a young man in his own right. That and my 10yr old daughter who may as well be a teen already ;)