They're simply a way to limit easy access to what you deem off-limits, and to reinforce your values. Restrictions can be customized for up to nine family members, using features such as ChatGuard and lists of approved and blocked sites. The menu-driven setup is quick and easy. If you want, CyberPatrol can log where kids have been, what they've been doing and for how long. WebChaperone offers good alternatives.
Parents can specify additional sites or phrases to block.
SurfWatch is now simple to install and configure. A bigger concern was that since lists of blocked sites were not made public, the program might be mistakenly blocking valuable information, such as breast cancer sites. SurfWatch has taken giant steps to ensure that parents can customize SurfWatch so it fits their values. It publishes evaluation criteria and offers users a chance to see if the sites they are blocking or allowing match their values. Like CyberPatrol, SurfWatch blocks Web sites, FTP and Gopher sites, newsgroups and IRC chat channels.