Filtering, etc.: Insights from reviewers

"Filters are of only limited use with chat and instant-messaging," said Josh Finer, publisher of Software4Parents.com. For these communications apps so popular among tweens and teens, "monitoring software is better." Talking with Josh and Jerry Ropelato, publisher of InternetFilterReview.com, turned up some helpful insights - not just into what various types of online-safety software can do but also into parents' current interests. [See Part 1 of this in my newsletter for an introduction to their Web services.] Josh's point about monitoring software suggests a shift in parents' concerns. A few years ago, when he started Software4Parents, Josh found that parents' No. 1 goal for buying filtering was to block online porn. Now it's just as much about contact as content - keeping strangers away from kids. For further views - on how filters how improved and where they fail - Please click to this week's issue. And do email me anytime about solutions your family has worked out, with or without technology (or click on "comments" just below and post here)!