Ask Slashdot: Good Low Cost Free Software For Protecting Kids Online?

An anonymous reader writes "I have two kids, 7 and 8. I would love to allow them internet access on a regular basis. The problem is what's out there: I really don't want them to deal with porn ads and such, but making either a blacklist or a whitelist myself would take months. So I figured I would ask you: what free software would you use with preferably prebuilt lists to protect your kids online? What is out there with fairly easy configuration ability (to allow for game servers — they love Minecraft), but secure enough they can't just bypass it using a Google search?"

Re:Automator for creating custom hosts files

[Dr Herbert West]

I thought the same way you did-- concern over my kids, hands wringing, brow sweating...

Then I had a revelation-- I could just install MY CLEAN PC! [youtube.com] and it was truly the answer to all my

-- aaah, f**k it. Nevermind.

Re:Teaching kids the ability to discern

[Spritzer]

You mean you actively parent and don't expect to be able to shelter your children from the real world? Go back to the 50s. You obviously don't belong in this time.

Re:Bsecure Online

[Anonymous Coward]

And yet, here you are.

Re:Teaching kids the ability to discern

[MightyYar]

I don't know what you are talking about - I was glued to the TV for my entire childhood, and I turned out just...

OH! Look! A new Apple product announcement!

Can't talk now.