Suggestions for parental control software?

Arct1c_f0x · 11-03-2021, 09:01 AM

Got my nephew started on ubuntu in the last year and the little guy is already pretty good with python and using rudimentary bash commands. I want to install a software system on his computer that will ensure that he can't visit any porn sites.

Any suggestions for what I should use?

My first thought was to use the /etc/hosts file to resolve all but a few website IPs to 0.0.0.0, but that seems too restrictive.

Thanks!

jmgibson1981 · 11-03-2021, 09:20 AM

Probably the only way. However don't underestimate a curious child. They can think faster than we can. When you can't open that child proof bottle you give it to the kid. They have it open near instantly. Point being if he wants to get wherever, he will. Software can help. But nothing replaces proper parenting and guidance.

Personally? Keep the computer in a public place in the house. Best security system ever. Behind closed doors nothing is safe.

boughtonp · 11-03-2021, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmgibson1981

But nothing replaces proper parenting and guidance.

Agreed.

Quote:

Personally? Keep the computer in a public place in the house. Best security system ever. Behind closed doors nothing is safe.

Well except public places are less public when there's nobody around (i.e. asleep/working/etc).

I would tell all potential users "I can see the domain name and IP address of every site you visit and when", then obviously configure things so that's true/provable.

Emphasis on the all potential users, because probably you don't want to ask your nephew about a fetish site only to find out it was his parent/your sibling...

pan64 · 11-03-2021, 09:47 AM

my daughter simply went to her girlfriend/classmate to avoid parental control.

frankbell · 11-03-2021, 08:49 PM

I would not take issue with anything the previous posters had said. Of course, when my kids were at that age, the cesspool on the WWW had not spread as far as it has today. The real action was still on usenet.

Back to the original question, a web search for "linux parental controls" turns up a number of articles and reviews. This one looks like a good place to start.

pan64 · 11-04-2021, 01:34 AM

by the way, the most important thing is to limit the time the children spent in front of their computer - the other one is a content filter.
You can use your router to set "online" time, and you can use (for example) a RPi with pihole to disable some sites. Those both can be set without modifying their hosts.
From the other hand children will try to crack their hosts and will try to circumvent that protection (which is actually a good way to learn).

yerixo · 11-11-2021, 03:02 PM

I don't know how to install parental control in Windows. However, I can say that parents can set a restriction on certain words in the browser and a restriction on all 18+ sites or sites with the words 'sex' and 'porn' in the name. Manually, anyone can add links to specific websites that the child won't open if he doesn't know my password. My son now has an iPhone 7. I installed parental control on it through the usual system settings.