children

Facebook wants 'Like' button to be exempt from child privacy laws

Facebok worries that teens' right to freedom of expression will be inhibited if child privacy laws limit the ability of Web sites to incorporate the social network's "Like" button.

In a 20-page letter (PDF) sent to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission last week, Facebook objected to proposed revisions to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA. The social network argues that revised limitations on plug-ins could create "significant impediments" on "innovation and the ecosystem that shapes students' online experiences":

This social functionality, widely used by educational sites and apps, is … Read more

The 404 1,138: Where Google Voice is cracking (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Google turns 14: A look at the birthday-gift table.

- Pornoogle: Yes, a search engine just for porn.

- 404 error pages to feature missing children notices.

- Did blowing into Nintendo cartridges really help?

Check out Bridget Carey on the Web's best daily tech news show, CNET Update.

Video Voice mail: Dan from Golden Colorado ran the Denver Rock 'n Roll Marathon… Read more

Keep your kids from accessing adult sites with Anti-Porn

One of parents' biggest Internet worries is "adult content," i.e. pornography. Anti-Porn from tuEagles is an easy-to-use program that helps parents take control of what their kids are exposed to online. Its filters block suspicious sites. If the parents or guardians (or whoever holds the password) approves of the site, they can allow access. Parents and adults can restore unfiltered access quickly without shutting down Anti-Porn by toggling to Parent mode. Anti-Porn takes screenshots and logs online activity when it's running, so parents can see just where their kids are hanging out online. It can even … Read more

Rejoice! Kindle FreeTime brings multi-user support to tablets

The biggest game changer from Amazon's Kindle Fire announcement yesterday wasn't the pricing, dual WiFi antennas or Dolby Digital Plus sound. Rather, it was that Amazon became the first major tablet maker to allow different people to have their own accounts on the same device.

Think how commonplace this is for traditional personal computers. Mac or Windows, both platforms allow multiple people to use the same machine, logging in with different accounts that are linked to their own settings, data, applications and perhaps even special restrictions. But for tablets, it's been the dark ages.

I've found … Read more

Internet heroes cure hospital boredom with 3,000 cats

After a seven-month wait for a bone marrow transplant, 16-year-old Maga Barzalla Sockemtickem endured a lengthy post-transplant treatment at Seattle Children's Hospital. Maga's compromised immune system meant periods of isolation from the outside world. She hadn't seen her cat Merry for more than a month. … Read more

MetaCert aims to block porn throughout the home (podcast)

There are lots of tools out there to help parents keep their kids away from what's typically considered inappropriate online content. Most, however, run on PCs and Macs, which means all bets are off if, for instance, a child surfs via a smartphone or a tablet.

MetaCert has a different idea. It's now beta-testing a server-based porn filter parents can set up to automatically block access to pornographic sites across their entire home network. It does so by hosting the filter on a DNS, or domain-name system, server -- effectively pushing the filter from individual computers into the … Read more

Facebook eyes strict controls for under-13 access, report says

The debate over whether Facebook should allow kids under the age of 13 to join its site might soon be moot.

The world's largest social network is close to allowing children under 13 to sign up for the social network, but those kids shouldn't expect to have the same rights as all others, according to the Wall Street Journal. The publication is reporting today, citing sources who have discussed the topic with Facebook executives, that the social network is testing features that would limit a child's ability to do what they want, when they want on the … Read more

Kindle Fire deal: Get 47 children's classic e-books for 99 cents each

E-readers can be great for kids, especially a color model like the Kindle Fire.

In a device that weighs less than a pound, you can pack along hundreds of children's books -- a superb alternative to the overstuffed backpack that usually accompanies long car rides and plane trips.

Of course, e-books can be pricey, which is why it's hard to pass up this limited-time offer from Amazon: 47 children's e-books for Kindle for 99 cents each.

The books all come from Rabbit Ears Entertainment and normally cost $7.77 each.

These are illustrated versions of classic tales, … Read more

Archos unveils low-cost Android 4.0 tablet for kids

An "Alvin and the Chipmunks"-themed tablet just for kids? Sounds great, but the skeptic in me says it'll be underpowered and overpriced.

At $129.99, the Archos ChildPad definitely isn't overpriced, especially when you consider that "adult" tablets (like the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet) start at around $200.

As for power, one could argue that younger kids don't need much. But the ChildPad has decent specs, including a 1GHz ARM Cortex processor, 7-inch screen, front-facing camera, and Android 4.0.

In other words, it's more than adequately equipped for the likes of Angry Birds, educational apps, music, movies, and other kid-oriented stuff. Plus, it's modeled in kid-friendly blue and white, and it comes with exclusive "Alvin and the Chipmunks 3" content (consisting of clips, pictures, wallpaper, and an online game).… Read more