Content Regulation & Safe Surfing Software

• Safe Surfing Software
• Content Regulation Websites
• Content Regulation & Code of Conduct

Safe Surfing Software (Filtering):
Can software effectively block access to pornography & objectionable content on the Internet? Can software protect minors? The issue of bias (political, religious, moral) should be considered when looking at the claims of commercial filtering software, designed to protect people from accessing "undesirable" Websites. More on Filtering

• NetNanny Well-known, American-based, parental control software. Allows you to monitor, screen and block access to anything residing on, or running in your PC, whether you are connected to the Internet or not, and in real time. Net Nanny allows you to filter and block: Internet Web sites, Newsgroups, Chat channels, Personal information, Words and phrases
  
  
• Cyber Patrol - Both end user and server based. May be configured to operate using exclusion or inclusion lists. According to the manufacturers: "used to manage Internet access, limit the total time spent online and restrict access to Internet sites deemed inappropriate".

• CYBERsitter - Internet Filtering Product & winner of PC-Magazine "Editors' Choice" award
  
  
• Smart Filter content filtering for schools & businesses
  
  
• Kids GoGoGo is a web-filtering software for MacOS & OS X
  
  
•  Don't forget Anti-Virus Software - also essential for Safe-Surfing!

Content Regulation Websites:

• Vicnet's Legal Information re Content Regulation
• Vicnet's Legal Information re Censorship
• Vicnet's Net Censorship Directory

• Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and info for Internet Content Hosts. Members of the public may complain to the ACMA about Internet content which is, or may be, prohibited by law.
  
  
• Internet Industry Association IIA Australia's national Internet industry organisation. They have worked to develop an IIA Content Regulation Code of Practice as Approved by the Australian Broadcasting Authority. See their Guide for Internet Users
  
  
• Australian Government's online content regulations and the NetAlert program
  Online content regulations which commenced on 1 January 2000 place certain obligations on Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Internet Content Hosts (ICHs). They also require industry codes of practice.
  
  
• Electronic Frontiers Australia - non-profit national organisation representing Internet users concerned with on-line freedoms and rights
  
  
• Net Smartz Kids - interactive, educational safety resource
  
  
• Get Net Wise a public service brought to you by a wide range of Internet industry corporations and public interest organizations
  
  
• Keeping kids safe online - Although this site from McAfee has a US-bias, it may still be worth investigating. Includes tips for safe online chatting.
  
  
• CyberSmart Kids This site will help you and your family to find out how to be cybersmart and use the Internet safely
  
  
• NetAlert independent community advocacy and advisory body established in late 1999 by the Commonwealth government to educate Australians in managing their access to the Internet.
  
  
• Childnet International children's Internet charity committed to helping to make the Internet a great and safe place for children.
  
  
• ChatDanger.com Tips for keeping kids safe in chat rooms
  
  
• Ask Jeeves for Kids Kid-safe search engine
  
  
• Yahooligans Web Guide for Kids
  
  
• SafeSurf was founded in 1995, out of concern for children accessing adult material and the potential trauma associated with early exposure to pornography. Governmental censorship as a response to the issue was also a major concern.

• ShopSafe^TM - Consumer Affairs Victoria guide to safe e-commerce
  Consumer Affairs Victoria is educating consumers to shop safely online. Information on a range of online shopping issues is available. Visit ShopSafe to learn how to start online shopping and what to look out for, with the assistance of Sam your e-commerce puppy.

Further Information: Content Regulation & Code of Conduct

See also: Viruses, including Adware & Spyware Removal

The links on this page are mainly to other websites. We cannot take responsibility for the content of these third party sites, which are included here for your information only. Please read the Links Disclaimer.