Parent Controls: filtering, monitoring, etc.

**punkzanyj** · 10-03-2008, 02:26 PM

well first, I think spoiling kids is bad parenting. It teaches them to be dependent on their parents for everything, and teaches them that they are entitled to whatever they want whenever they want it. They don't learn responsibility, self discipline, and they rarely if ever appreciate anything because they've never had to earn it.

jgoldy makes the best point, though. tech savvy kids can get around any bit of parental controls you toss at them. Remember, your kids have way more free time than you. If they don't know how to hack it, chances are they know someone, or can find someone who will hack it.

If you can't trust your kid, and you know you can't monitor them on something, maybe it's best to wait until they are trustworthy. Besides which a lot of that parental control software misses things or blocks legitimate education materials.

**astevezimm** · 10-10-2008, 05:26 PM

btw, I thought of a rather cute name for this type of app. It could be called "G-rated".

**MTOakey** · 10-11-2008, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by astevezimm

I was disappointed when I didn't see anything like this in the top 50. ... it will introduce some significant challenges to parents of the future or rather significantly magnify the problems that already exist with internet technology, cell phones, etc.
... but there are still a lot of work to be done to make the world of Android safer for the younger crowd... but this is an absolutely vital problem.

Just curious, but why would ANYBODY give a "child" a $400 phone? Ergo the need for such an App?
It seem ridiculous to me, but that's just me...
Just a thought/question....

Besides the fact of: just what are we teaching our "young people" if WE buy every new and expensive toy out there and then just give it to them (a child)? What does a "child" need with a tool like that? Even a teen does not need it! Maybe an Advanced Senior in High School who has proved their level of responsibility or a College attending or "Young Entrepreneur" but certainly not a child!

**astevezimm** · 10-15-2008, 11:46 AM

I think I should make the point again that the issue is not just about minors. What it all boils down to is this http://androidcommunity.com/forums/f...ted-haha-2505/

Those who want it, go ahead and knock yourself silly.

For those who don't, its nice to have things in place to assist in keeping away.

Another point, Android is expected to be on lower end phones and devices, so the argument of why a parent would give a child such an expensive toy really is a mute point in the long run.

**mast3rpyr0** · 10-15-2008, 05:41 PM

im 16 and im getting it :P but i sorta need it to test my app. trust me if you have a kid old enough that you want to give this phone, they can figure a way around the parental controls. hell i can get around every one of my schools road blocks. i dont even have to login to a computer to use it. And honestly if your kid is this age, they probably know more than you about anythign they would be looking up that parental controls would block. I think parental controls would be totally useless.

**caretoo** · 07-29-2009, 02:31 PM

I see a definite need for this app...yes kids will be kids and we should teach a kid right from wrong, but that misses the point of whether or not this app would be beneficial.

1) i agree, i would like this for personal accountability reasons...with the explosion of pornography on the iphone market, android is next -i don't want to be tempted everytime i check out new apps on the market by the newest playboy app etc. Adults can choose to filter themself! Why not give them that freedom if it helps?

2) even when teaching a kid right from wrong, if a parent wants to make it more difficult (extremely difficult), or even just take away the simple ease at which a kid can look at pornagraphy, why stop that parent from doing so? Right now there are numerous apps that some people find offensive and don't want there children downloading for free form the market.

I personally have safeeyes on my computer -for my children AND myself... this filter has helped ME numerous times. I see this as a needed product whether or not you agree with my parenting tactics... why not let the choice be left up to me when it concerns myself/my children...my kids will one day have to make this same choice themselves, but until then, i would rather spare them the failures i had at a young age which has made these 'filters' necessary for me as an adult.

just my two cents

**caretoo** · 07-29-2009, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by mast3rpyr0

...trust me if you have a kid old enough that you want to give this phone, they can figure a way around the parental controls. ... I think parental controls would be totally useless.

true, i am NOT 16 but i am a techy and can get around MANY a filter, but not all...if they are designed right (not the lame filters a school generally uses) they are physically impossible to get through or around -not to say that EVERYTHING is filtered...it isn't. But this makes it SIGNIFICANTLY more difficult to access this type of content. For me, it makes the struggle as to whether or not to look at that stuff, much easier. would someone spend a few seconds for a 'peak' in a moment of weakness -yes...would someone waste several hours just to get around something for a peak...often no...they could just go buy a magazine.

The point is, take away the convenience and ease at which one is able to come by this stuff -that alone is half the battle.

**androidFriend** · 11-19-2009, 06:22 AM

I am recovering from an addiction to pornography. I've scoured the internet and have not been able to find any tutorials on how to make my android phone safe for my use. I was blessed to be able to do it. I rooted my phone with cyanogen - see cyanogenmod.com. I installed ES File Explorer and all the other apps I foresee needing. With ES File Explorer in root mode, I then moved the Browser.apk, YouTube.apk, and Vending.apk files to my sdcard and created a backup of those files on my computer. I rebooted my phone and the browser, youtube, and marketplace are now gone. That cuts off all risk for me. I love having access to gmail, calendar, google voice, gtasks, an ebook reader, music, etc. I bought the phone used and just use wifi so I don't have to pay for a data plan. I have wifi access 80% of the day. I don't know if this will work on your phone, but it did for me on a myTouch.

**Royal** · 12-02-2009, 03:19 AM

But i think there is time for giving information.
Neither before that time nor before their proper age.
Trust is different but we should first teach them right and wrong and protect them from wrong..
that is the responsibility of parents only...

**nathanielks** · 12-30-2009, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by androidFriend

I am recovering from an addiction to pornography. I've scoured the internet and have not been able to find any tutorials on how to make my android phone safe for my use. I was blessed to be able to do it. I rooted my phone with cyanogen - see cyanogenmod.com. I installed ES File Explorer and all the other apps I foresee needing. With ES File Explorer in root mode, I then moved the Browser.apk, YouTube.apk, and Vending.apk files to my sdcard and created a backup of those files on my computer. I rebooted my phone and the browser, youtube, and marketplace are now gone. That cuts off all risk for me. I love having access to gmail, calendar, google voice, gtasks, an ebook reader, music, etc. I bought the phone used and just use wifi so I don't have to pay for a data plan. I have wifi access 80% of the day. I don't know if this will work on your phone, but it did for me on a myTouch.

Thanks androidFriend! I share similar struggles and its good to know its possible. I agree with others, an accountability app would be awesome, like Covenant Eyes or something.