Google Chrome adds parental controls to browser

[Jazzy]

Google has introduced controls to its Chrome web browser that allow parents to monitor and control the browsing behaviour of their children.

The new feature, called "supervised users", allows "managers" to set up profiles of the people they want to monitor.

Managers can view the supervised users' browsing history, block specific sites, and approve access requests.

The feature is available on Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.

It is also available to Chromebook users.

But Google says the default setting is to allow a newly created supervised user to view all websites - managers have to specify what sites they want to block.

SafeSearch is activated automatically for supervised users, preventing most adult content from appearing in Google search results.

A recent survey found that many youngsters aged nine to 11 were engaging in risky behaviour online, such as sharing personal information and playing games rated for much older children, including the 18-rated Call of Duty series.

ISC2, an organisation which helps schools educate children about web safety, also found that 43% of youngsters went online every day and 46% spent more than two hours online every time they did so.

Another survey, by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, found that 69% of teachers and 40% of young people thought online safety should be taught in more schools and included in the national curriculum.

Source

Questions:

What do you think about this feature?

Do you think all browsers should have this feature?

Do you agree or disagree online safety should be taught in schools? (Please explain your response).

 

[Bjornar]

I think this is a great feature, who know what kids could search on o.0

 

[Nebulous]

I think its a great idea! I have a lil one who likes to play games on my computer so I'd like to know if she sneaks away to look at other stuff when I'm not in the room.
...However I dont think she does, she is very honest and non-sneaky.

 

[Flurry]

Frankly, they need to focus more on preventing Shockwave crashes.

 

[Evil Eye]

Interesting, I'm going to have to try this. (Not for actually blocking anyone, mind.)

Anyway, blocking is rather pointless unless you whitelist instead of blacklist. Which makes searching for anything rather hard... And you know, it's not that hard to download an alternative browser. Or, more likely this day and age, just use a phone. Let's just say I don't really consider it worthwhile at this stage.

Teaching some responsibility in schools though... Hmm, they probably should. People tend to be rather less sensible.

Frankly, they need to focus more on preventing Shockwave crashes.

Probably.