parental Controls

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We are considering getting a mac for our 12 year old. What exactly do parental controls do? Program access? Internet access? App store etc. I am sure that we would have to setup another account. Having never seen parental controls before on a mac I am just curious. Christmas is just around the corner. Comments and experiences gladly accepted.
 

Slydude

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Here are just some of the things that can be done with Parental Controls:
1. Restrict access to certain applications or the App Store
2. Restrict websites being accessed as well as people contacted through Mail, Messages, and Game Center
3. Set time limits on activity
4. Limit printing, dictation, iSight camera etc.

Here's an overview. Others will have to comment on its effectiveness. I've never used it. It would require a second account as it can't be used with an administrator account.
 
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I have recommended to parents a free service called K9 WebProtection. I have only used it on Windows computers but they offer an OS X edition:

News Highlights | K9 Web Protection - Free Internet Filter and Parental Control Software (information)
Get K9 Web Protection Free License | K9 Web Protection - Free Internet Filter and Parental Control Software (download info)

I do not know how well it works with a Mac running OS X. With a windows computer is does fine. You can, as the parental administrator, tweak the setting and set it so a dog will bark if the child strays. It allows for category blocking and specific websites too.

I would recommend using the Parental Controls that Yosemite offers. If that is not enough, give K9 a try.

Lisa
 
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you could also try https://www.opendns.com - it's what I use to protect my network at home

this lets you block certain types of website en masse (e.g. pornography, gambling, social media) and is really easy to set up.
 

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