FT.com's Personal Tech Guru "Impressed" with Safekeeper to Keep Kids Safe Online

Paul Taylor readily admits to being a gadget and gizmo freak and "a bit of a geek". He also happens to be the personal technology columnist for London's Financial Times.

His weekly column focuses on new developments in software, hardware and IT services that make it easier (or more fun) for people. And, when it comes to computers, more safe, too.

Over the weekend, Paul reviewed several new products designed to improve web usage for FT's weekend "Pursuits" section. One of his recommended new products designed for parents to help protect their children from online hazards? Safekeeper.

In his article, he states:

Wouldn't it be great if children followed their parents' guidance when it comes to PC use (or anything else). They could then avoid inappropriate content and be able to access the tremendous resources of the internet in complete safety. And pigs would fly. Unfortunately, the world isn't perfect and few of us have enough time to sit down next to our children and oversee their online activities full-time.

In case you are wondering whether any of this is necessary, consider this. According to US-based research, one in seven teenagers has met, face-to-face, total strangers they met online, 54 per cent have communicated with a stranger online, and 47 per cent have received pornographic e-mail.

But there are steps concerned parents can take to help protect their offspring online - including, of course, educating their children about the risks...Parental control software can help.

In my research, I came across about a dozen products designed to filter content and provide a degree of parental control. I have also been impressed by newer products such as SafeKeeper Plus which features a suite of parental controls including content filters, an internet chat monitoring tool, and (in the US) the ability to track sexual predators. It combines these features with standard internet security software including a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware.

With Safekeeper, your children can avoid inappropriate content and be able to access the tremendous resources of the internet in complete safety.