Mom Central recently contacted me to let me know that I had been selected to review the software McAfee Family Protection. With a nine year old that is on the Internet every chance she has and has her own computer, I was super excited to try this. After reading these statistics, I was not just excited, but relieved:
- 42 percent of youths report exposure to pornography (Internet Safety Technical Task Force, December 2008)
- 1 out of 17 kids have been harassed, threatened, or bullied online (www.netlingo.com)
- 43 percent of parents do not know what personal information their children have posted on the Internet (Virtual Parenting Report, March 2009)
What is McAfee Family Protection?
McAfee Family Protection is the easiest, most complete way to keep your children safe online. Designed to empower parents to say “yes” to their children’s online interests, McAfee Family Protection enables parents to adjust security to meet their children’s changing needs, as they grow from young children to tweens to teens.
What are the features?
- Web blocking — Blocks up to 35 categories of objectionable websites, and filters inappropriate content
- Time limits — Offers two ways to manage the time children spend online: 1.) allows families to schedule Internet usage times, or 2.) limits the total amount of time spent online per day
- Instant message reporting — Monitors and records instant message conversations so parents are aware of cyberbullying and improper dialogue with strangers
- Social network monitoring — Records when personal information (for example, phone number, address, location) is posted to a social networking site, and monitors the use of profanity and sexually explicit terms
- Online access — Provides remote, online access for any time, any where changes to user settings. Go to www.mcafeefamilyprotection.com to login.
- Usage reporting — Provides parents with a complete view of all Internet and instant messaging (IM) activity through activity reports, which can also be used as a tool to teach appropriate online behavior
- Instant alerts — Sends instant email and/or text alerts to parents when inappropriate website access is attempted. Parents can also adjust the alert level from “less sensitive,” to “normal,” to “very sensitive”
- YouTube filtering — Blocks objectionable YouTube videos via keyword filtering technology, yet allows access to other appropriate YouTube content for entertainment
- Text message alerts — The unique text alert feature gives busy parents the option of getting a text alert when inappropriate website access is attempted
- Program blocking — Blocks access to programs on the computer, plus blocks programs from communicating with the Internet. Parents can choose from preselected categories and programs, or enter the programs of their choice
- Encrypted site blocking — Provides a deeper layer of protection against access to secure proxy websites that may also include inappropriate content preventing a “work around” for kids
How much does it cost?
- $39.99 for up to 3 PCs
Which Features I Utilized & What I Thought of Them
- Web Blocking – Cameron doesn’t deliberately go to inappropriate sites (yet), but she is experimenting with searching for games and contests so I enabled this just to protect her from accidentally stumbling on some things that I didn’t want to see.
- Online Access – This was great. I could see the results of the software and Cameron’s online activities without actually having to go on her computer.
- Usage Reporting – I liked the reports a lot! I make Cameron stay in the living room with her computer, but I don’t sit over her shoulder. I also made a point of making sure she knew what a report was – so she could see what I could see. Again I don’t think we are at a point that she is going places I don’t want her to, but I thought it would be nice for her to know that if she did decide to do so, I would know.
A proactive approach. - YouTube Filtering – Cameron LOVES watching video clips on YouTube. Usually clips from her favorite shows or movies. Sometime to listen to a particular song she’s wanting to dance too. It’s so easy to stumble on things in YouTube that I found this feature maybe the most reassuring of all the features.
- Encrypted Site Blocking – I’m positive that Cameron has no idea yet what a proxy is, but because I teach junior high and high school, I know that they are pretty young when they learn about proxies and how to get around proxies so I went ahead and enabled this feature also.
What I Wished I Had
Bandwith monitoring. My Internet Service Provider is Hughes Net, and we have limited bandwith. It’s not uncommon at all for us to use up our 24 hour daily alotment and be turned off for another 24. I am fairly positive that it’s Cameron’s online games that suck the bandwith away but I’d love to have known that for sure. Because of the recent regular exceedings, I am actually thinking of limiting her online acces through McAfee Family Protection if it continues after school starts back.
A Few Other Thoughts
I find it really nice that this software also monitors Instant Messaging and Social Networking Sites. Cameron doesn’t do either of these yet, but when she does express interest (and I’m sure she eventually will), thanks to McAfee Family Protection I’ll feel a little better about letting her slowly move into both of these areas.
Limited Time Discount
If you would like a little more piece of mind about your child’s online experiences, McAfee is offering a discount through August 31st. Simply use the promo code 5familyprotection when making your purchase for $5 off McAfee Family Protection.
Undecided? Talk to an Expert
Not sure yet if you need this for your child? Tracy Mooney, McAfee’s Chief Cyber Security Mom, is available to answer your questions via cybermom at mcafee dot com or www.mcafee.com/cybermom.
“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of McAfee and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, McAfee sent me a blanket and care package to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
This is such an important software. I think so many parents are naive about what their kids are seeing online and what they are exposed to. So many smart well adjusted young women fall prey to predators that know how to manipulate them, telling them what they need to hear, and they can get talked into so many terrible things.
No parent can be there 24/7 but this software can be! I think it would be worth 10 times the cost to protect kids.