It’s no exaggeration: Kids today can usually navigate their way around a computer before they can successfully learn to walk across a room without stumbling. That’s why it’s important to think of Windows 7-, Windows Vista- or Windows XP-equipped PCs and the Internet as extensions to the real world: Wonderful places and people abound online, but there are also a lot of scummy alleyways that aren’t exactly playgrounds.
No parent can keep their kid out of mischief 24 hours a day, so PCs have optional safeguards in place to limit browsing options. Parents can even set timers that will disallow access to the computer at certain hours of the day. Here’s how to setup parental controls and keep your kids’ safe online.
How to Setup Parental Controls in Windows 7
To Set Time Limits:
-Access the Control Panel through the Start button. Under User Controls and Family Safety, click Set Up Parental Controls for Any User. If you’re prompted for an admin password, type it in.
-Select the account you want to set up controls for.
-Click on Enforce Current Settings under Parental Controls.
-Select Time Limits.
-You’ll be presented with a grid. By dragging your mouse across certain hours and days, you can restrict computer usage. A blue square means that hour is blocked.
-Click OK.
To Restrict Program Usage:
-Access parental controls by clicking on the Start button and opening the Control Panel. Under User Accounts and Safety, click Set Up Parental Controls for Any User. Type in the admin password if you’re prompted for it.
-Click on the profile of the person whose access you want to restrict.
-Click on Enforce Current Settings under Parental Controls.
-Click Block Specific Programs.
-Click [User's Name] Can Only Access the Programs I Allow.
-Select the programs you want to allow.
To Restrict Games by Content:
-Access parental controls by clicking on the Start button and opening the Control Panel. Under User Accounts and Safety, click Set Up Parental Controls for Any User. Type in the admin password if you’re prompted for it.
-Click on the profile of the person whose access you want to restrict.
-Click on Enforce Current Settings under Parental Controls.
-Click Games.
-Click Yes under Can [User's Name] play games?
-Click Set Game Ratings under Block (or Allow) Games by Rating and Content Type.
-Select the content types you want to block under Block These Types of Content.
To Restrict Games by Age Rating:
-Access parental controls by clicking on the Start button and opening the Control Panel. Under User Accounts and Safety, click Set Up Parental Controls for Any User. Type in the admin password if you’re prompted for it.
-Click on the profile of the person whose access you want to restrict.
-Click on Enforce Current Settings under Parental Controls.
-Click Games.
-Click Yes under Can [User's Name] play games?
-Click Set Game Ratings under Block (or Allow) Games by Rating and Content Type.
-Under Which Ratings are OK for [User's Name?], click a ratings level.
How to Setup Parental Controls in Windows Vista
Parental controls can be set up in Windows Vista in order to control a child’s access to programs, games, and the computer in general. The person setting up the controls will need an Admin account on Vista.
To set up parental controls:
-Click the Start button, access the Control Panel, and click Set Up Parental Controls. Enter an Admin password if you’re prompted for one.
-Click on the account for which you want to set Parental Controls.
-Under Parental Controls, click On. From there, you can adjust specific settings. Some of these include:
- Web Restrictions: This allows you to restrict websites and ensure that your kids only visit age-appropriate sites. You can also indicate whether or not you want to allow downloads on that specific account.
- Computer Time Limits: Set the days and hours in which your child is allowed to log onto the computer with his or her account.
- Games: You can block certain games, or filter them according to their content rating.
- Computer Programs: This setting helps you block and allow which programs your child is allowed to access.
With Windows Vista, you can also monitor how your kids spend their time on the computer.
-From the Parental Controls panel, click on a child’s profile.
-From there, click on View Activity Reports. You’ll be whisked to a listing of the last sites your kids visited, the last files they downloaded, the games they’ve recently played, the applications they’ve accessed, and more. If you’ve blocked sites using Internet Explorer’s Content Adviser, you can also access a report of which blocked sites your child tried to visit.
Windows XP
You can restrict access to certain Internet-based content using Internet Explorer’s Content Adviser. To do so:
-Select Internet Options in the Tools menu.
-Click on the Content tab, then click on Enable.
-You’ll be taken to the Content Adviser properties window. From there, you can adjust the level of offensive content you want displayed on websites. Using a slider, you can tone down instances of offensive language, nudity, sex, and violence.
-Under the General tab, you can block all access to certain sites.
-You can also choose a password with which you can protect your settings. The password will need to be turned off via the Content Adviser, so don’t lose it!
Loading ...
Scott Steinberg is the CEO of video game consulting firm TechSavvy Global, and founder of GameExec magazine and Game Industry TV. Hailed as a top technology and video game expert by dozens of publications from USA Today to Forbes and NPR, he’s covered the field for 400+ outlets from Playboy to Rolling Stone. A frequent on-air analyst for networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN, he’s also the author of Video Game Marketing and PR.