How to Test a Laptop for Kids
In the digital age, introducing children to computers at a young age has become a standard practice. However, as with every other source of information and entertainment ever invented by man, there is technology that might be too complicated for children, too hard to figure out. There are even websites accessible by computer that you wouldn't want your children to be exposed to.
With a little friendly guidance and computer know-how, you can test your child's laptop to make sure it's kid-friendly and safe for all ages.
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Things You'll Need
- Website-blocking software
- Anti-virus software
- Mozilla Firefox (or equivalent)
Instructions
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Test your laptop thoroughly for website-blocking software and abilities, including software and the Internet browser of your choice's ability to block unsavory sites. Quite a few computers come with software designed to protect young eyes from undesirable experiences.
If you aren't satisfied with your computer's blocking power, purchase and install a modern copy of website-blocking software on the laptop.
It would be an impossible task to go through and fill your computer's website blacklist with the the web addresses of every possible ugly thing online that you don't want your children seeing, but by doing the research and picking the best kind of software available, you'll have the best chance possible of doing just that.
Note: Most of these programs have the option of setting a "parental password" to keep anyone from turning the filter off. It is highly recommended that you utilize this option.
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Review the laptop's anti-virus software for effectiveness and up-to-date virus definitions. Your software should be able to block most, if not all, of the offensive material from your child's eyes.
If you're not satisfied with the included software, purchase and install the most up-to-date virus and anti-spyware software, ideally from a brand-name source like Lavasoft or Norton. This will ensure that no matter where your child roams on the Internet, viruses and other destructive programs cannot find their way into your kid's computer.
You can set these programs to auto-update their virus definitions, as well as auto-backup your computer's files, and it is highly recommended that you employ both tools for maximum security coverage.
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Test your web browser's website-blocking abilities, which would be useful in blocking sites missed by either of the aforementioned programs. This tool can generally found under the "Tools'' menu by navigating to the "Privacy" tab.
If your web browser doesn't have the ability to block websites, or isn't comprehensive enough, install a web browser with anti-advertisement options (like Mozilla Firefox) or a browser with equivalent abilities.
By using the "Add-On" feature of Firefox, located in the "Tools" menu, you can block all Flash-based advertisements that will slow down the laptop and possibly expose your child to things you don't approve of.
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Test all the functions of the computer for ease of use and functionality for someone your child's age. The best way to do this is by testing while trying to see through your child's eyes.
Take into account the limits of their computer knowledge and try to impose those same limits on your own mind. Then, test the laptop and see if anything would be confusing or unsolvable for your child, or if there are any unguarded system tools that, if tampered with, could damage the computer.
Most operating systems have a default setting that "hides" system folders.Simply instructing your child not to open these folders, lest they ruin the computer, is a good and simple way to ensure the laptop's internal integrity.
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Tips & Warnings
Sometimes stringent security measures can clash and cause problems. Test the functions of your anti-virus and website-blocking software thoroughly.
