Young kids just got their first computers .. need help locking down

[QuietBob]

You could start by configuring the web browser on the kids' PCs for high security. Make sure to disable all options related to privacy (tracking, permissions to access user location, camera, etc.). Set Google in Safe Search mode as default engine. Do not save any personal information on their computers, such as your own logins, passwords, credit card numbers.

I don't know how old your kids are, but naturally they'll want to play multiplayer games. Roblox lets you create an "under 13" account where the parent can restrict their child's interactions online. Fortnite has a PIN-secured in-game menu with similar options. Unfortunately, there are some toxic people in these communities, so disabling voice communications and text chat may be a good idea initially.

But still, I'd be far more concerned about the content your kids have access to when using their cell phone. This is how teenagers interact these days first and foremost. And you cannot always supervise them when they're on their phone. As has been mentioned, no amount of restrictions can replace an honest but unprovoked conversation. Educating kids about online threats is maybe one of the biggest challenges of parenting today.

 

[ThrashZone]

Gpedit.msc, regedit to disable downloading of webbrowsers, yse a kids only browser

Hi,
Yep many people first mistake is not caughing up extra $ for pro and using group policy.

And no pro is not expensive tpu post deals every month it seems

GoDeal24 Mega Sale on Genuine Software: Get the Software You Need on the Cheap

GoDeal24 is an international merchant dealing in discounted genuine software, bringing you an opportunity to pack your new PC with a preferred edition of Windows and Office for around $20. Get Genuine Windows 10 Pro at just $7.59. Get Office 2021 Professional Plus at just $25.61 a pop, or a 5-PC...

www.techpowerup.com

 

[ERazer]

I use my Microsoft account, I set the age for safe content browsing of course they have to use Edge and I blocked any other browser being installed, I set the time when they can use the computer or completely block it if they are grounded, it will notify me if they want to install any software (games) i can approve or deny.

I also use pi-hole extra content filtering

 

[copenhagen69]

I use my Microsoft account, I set the age for safe content browsing of course they have to use Edge and I blocked any other browser being installed, I set the time when they can use the computer or completely block it if they are grounded, it will notify me if they want to install any software (games) i can approve or deny.
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I also use pi-hole extra content filtering

well that looks easy enough ... what feature is that in Msoft? I dont really use anything Msoft besides their OS, never got over the windows Vista debacle lol

 

[R0H1T]

You generally can't bypass parental restrictions through AV. Not unless the kids end up setting another admin account/have access to AV password.

 

[ERazer]

well that looks easy enough ... what feature is that in Msoft? I dont really use anything Msoft besides their OS, never got over the windows Vista debacle lol

just google Microsoft family (not paid), we all hate on MS for all telemetry and bs but for tracking my kid's online activity its been a blessing as a parent. I recommend it for non tech parents. Oh if you have xbox you can manage it too.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Worst thing about MS is not the telemetry it's MSN/... and all that crap

 

[ERazer]

Hi,
Worst thing about MS is not the telemetry it's MSN/... and all that crap

pi-hole with unbound my friend, well for my kid he uses a different pi-hole (vm) w/o unbound MS need those telemetry to track his activity.

 

[ThrashZone]

pi-hole with unbound my friend, well for my kid he uses a different pi-hole (vm) w/o unbound MS need those telemetry to track his activity.

Hi,
Cripes are you speaking English

 

[copenhagen69]

Hi,
Yep many people first mistake is not caughing up extra $ for pro and using group policy.

And no pro is not expensive tpu post deals every month it seems

GoDeal24 Mega Sale on Genuine Software: Get the Software You Need on the Cheap

GoDeal24 is an international merchant dealing in discounted genuine software, bringing you an opportunity to pack your new PC with a preferred edition of Windows and Office for around $20. Get Genuine Windows 10 Pro at just $7.59. Get Office 2021 Professional Plus at just $25.61 a pop, or a 5-PC...

www.techpowerup.com

thanks for that .. looks like I will be shopping there soon

 

[johnspack]

How about custom router firmware that allows you to set up the rules from the router. Then it won't matter what device they use, they will be blocked.

 

[ThrashZone]

thanks for that .. looks like I will be shopping there soon

Hi,
Pay close attention to the install process
Their email support is pretty quick and helpful if you have any issues activating.

 

[ratirt]

Gpedit.msc, regedit to disable downloading of webbrowsers, yse a kids only browser

Well, kids are smart and they might figure out how to workaround it

 

[P4-630]

Just block all sites you want with the windows hosts file....

 

[Bomby569]

just saying the DNS thing is a bad idea, you can't imagine how quick those little things learn

What they can't figure out from themselves they have lots of friends with similar problems

 

[eidairaman1]

You could start by configuring the web browser on the kids' PCs for high security. Make sure to disable all options related to privacy (tracking, permissions to access user location, camera, etc.). Set Google in Safe Search mode as default engine. Do not save any personal information on their computers, such as your own logins, passwords, credit card numbers.

I don't know how old your kids are, but naturally they'll want to play multiplayer games. Roblox lets you create an "under 13" account where the parent can restrict their child's interactions online. Fortnite has a PIN-secured in-game menu with similar options. Unfortunately, there are some toxic people in these communities, so disabling voice communications and text chat may be a good idea initially.

But still, I'd be far more concerned about the content your kids have access to when using their cell phone. This is how teenagers interact these days first and foremost. And you cannot always supervise them when they're on their phone. As has been mentioned, no amount of restrictions can replace an honest but unprovoked conversation. Educating kids about online threats is maybe one of the biggest challenges of parenting today.

Id use duckduck go

Well, kids are smart and they might figure out how to workaround it

Hence gpedit. Msc/regedit and a kid guard, even block the router at certain times of day

 

[caroline!]

Install Linux, instantly prevents the computer from running any game, also set up a limited user account so they can't install/uninstall software, it does allow them to manage user files like idk their homework or school essays, and no, LibreOffice isn't terrible.

If you want to lock XXX websites you could set up a PiHole which is what I do not because I have kids but to prevent google and social media crawlers from pinging my PC whenever a website is loaded. You can build it out of junk parts you might have, mine is a P4 with 2 PCI interfaces, nothing fancy but does the job, if your network is big though you'll need more RAM and faster cores.

We shutdown Roblox a long time ago. Fortnite is only social he can use, and we monitor friends that we can call the parents.

Fortnite? poor kids, show them some real games you monster! /s

Probably some of their friends already know how to bypass parental controls and share the info.

It seems to me that the internet is flooded with porn. Even Youtube has porn on it. Amazingly there is a nude scene with Brooke Shields when she was 11 on Youtube. How this didn't get banned by Youtube is beyond me.

Porn is like 60% of all internet traffic so yeah. No idea who Brooke Shields is but you know who's behind YouTube and what agenda they're pushing.

Maybe getting the power outlet the PC/router is running from on a separate breaker and locking the breaker box?
Just a thought.

I powered my PC using a pair of wires coming out of a radio when my parents took away the PSU cord. The radio had the plug but also room to fit 3 big D-size batteries so I concealed the cable in there to avoid being sus, had a cheap plug cover to avoid creating a short with the paperclips that went into the PSU as well.

Imagine what kids nowadays could come up with.