Google's new SafeSearch page
(Credit: Google)Google has long allowed parents a SafeSearch filtering setting that keeps kids from using the search engine to find inappropriate sites like those with explicit sexual images or text.
The problem was that kids could easily change those settings.
Starting Wednesday, however, the company is allowing parents to lock those settings to make it harder (though not impossible) for kids to bypass the settings.
To change the settings, the parent will have to log into his or her Google account and enter a password. Once the settings have been changed, the Google search engine will change in appearance to indicate that it's locked. The new page will have large balls in the upper right corner so that parents can see from across the room that their kids are on the safe search page.
The settings, which places a cookie on the machine, must be configured for each browser the child uses. If you set them only for Internet Explorer, for example, they won't restrict access from Firefox, Chrome, or other browsers. Also, according to a Google representative, the child can get around the settings by using the private browsing feature that is now built into the latest versions of Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Chrome. So, while this will keep kids from accidentally using Google for inappropriate searches, it will not deter tech-savvy kids who are determined to bypass the filters.
As I've said in other posts, filters are never a foolproof way to keep "tweens" and teenagers from inappropriate content. There are always ways to get around them, including using a different machine or mobile phone. Filters are effective for keeping young children from stumbling onto disturbing Web sites and they can be a deterrent to somewhat older kids who might have a momentary or casual interest in looking at material that their parents wish to block.
With all filters and controls, it's important for parents to think about how you use them to help teach your child to exercise self-control and critical thinking so that, eventually, they can safely use the Web without filters or adult supervision. Also, for very young children, say 5 and under, its remains a good idea to be with the child while he or she is online. Tools like Google's SafeSearch are helpful, but they are no substitute for close parental supervision, especially with young children.
Listen to Larry's interview about Google SafeSearch with Google's Scott Rubin
D.J. Donahue says his school's ban on P2P and BitTorrent unfairly punishes gamers and Linux users.
(Credit: Michele Wilson)Truth be told, the state of Tennessee didn't need a lot of prodding from the recording industry to pass a law that requires universities and colleges to filter for unauthorized music downloads.
Remember, Tennessee is the home of Nashville, country music, and Elvis. Some of the music industry's largest music publishers are based there. Some schools were apparently eager to comply with copyright protection. The University of Tennessee at Knoxville began blocking access to BitTorrent and file-sharing sites for possibly the last month, said D.J. Donahue, a graduate research assistant at the school.
"I have been unable to access any torrent or P2P sites for several weeks, and there was an e-mail sent to students about it," Donahue told CNET News.
News broke on Tuesday that Tennessee's governor signed a bill into law that was designed to thwart music piracy at the state's campuses. The bill requires Tennessee public and private schools to exercise "appropriate means" to ensure that campus computer networks aren't being used to download copyright material via file-sharing programs, according to the Web site of the Recording Industry Association of America.
A spokesman for the school could not be reached for comment.
"This is just another turn of the big orange screw," Donahue said referring to the university. "This places a burden on those of us who use the torrent and P2P systems for legal downloads."
Donahue said his school's ban on P2P and BitTorrent unfairly punishes gamers and Linux users like him.
"I am a Linux user, and the best way to download many distributions is through a torrent system," Donahue said. "I'm trying out new Linux distributions, trying out the new stuff that comes along and one of the major sources of that are peer-to-peer and torrent sites. Since Linux is a free download, their sites can't support massive HTTP bandwidth."
Donahue said that game sites, which issue big update files, often use torrent sites. He said that gamers at the school will be unjustly blocked from receiving these updates.
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