The web is an amazing learning tool filled with vast amounts of information that can be helpful to your child's education and social development. There is also a great deal of information on the web that you would prefer your children not have access to. To that end, there are some very good 'parenting' software tools that can be implemented on your family or child's computer that will block them from inadvertently accessing inappropriate material.

Available on-line, you can find software downloads for applications such as CYBERsitter and The ParentalControl Bar. There are many others available, some free, some on a subscription basis, and some that you purchase outright.

If you aren't sure what to use, try going to a local Staples to see what they have packaged and on the shelf. That should give you a good idea of which ones are succeeding on today's web. Or ask their school for a recommendation.