Manx Telecom is now offering a new range of Internet routers which can help parents protect their children from online dangers.

"Studies show," says Manx Telecom’s Martin Rigby, "that three out of four children between the ages of 5 and 17 use the Internet regularly, and that 70% of them access it from home. 

"Protecting their children from Internet predators and unsafe content is a top priority for most parents, and the new NETGEAR Wireless-N routers now available from Manx Telecom come with Live Parental Controls, a simple programme which blocks up to 50 categories of undesirable Internet content."  

Accessing and using Live Parental Controls is free, and you don’t have to be a computer expert to operate it.  Once set up, the software runs in the background and doesn’t interfere or slow down normal Internet usage. 

"Live Parental Controls blocks unsafe Internet content and applications by allowing parents to customize settings using their web browser," says David James, of NETGEAR. 

"Parents can also enable password controlled ‘Bypass Accounts’ which allow them unrestricted Internet access at all times, while their children, when using their own login details, are still fully protected."

 
Parents also no longer need to worry about phones and gaming consoles not being protected when kids use them in their own rooms, as Live Parental Controls protects all devices connected through that router, not just computers, but also set top boxes, iPhones, iPods, and gaming consoles such as PlayStation, Nintendo DS and Xbox consoles.  
             
Manx Telecom stresses that there is no one single solution to keeping your family safe online, and parents are recommended to keep the family computer in a common area and in plain sight where they can monitor the web sites their children are visiting. 

Computer users are also recommended to use free or paid for antivirus and Internet security programmes to avoid online hazards.

"The Internet is a very positive thing," says Martin, "for children in particular; it offers a wealth of learning and entertainment opportunities. 

"Live Parental Controls, which comes free with NETGEAR Wireless-N routers, lets them access those opportunities while helping to protect them against online dangers."