NoodleNet: A New Software Approach to Net Safety

For parents in search of a way to create a safe environment for young children on the Internet, there's a new software program to consider: NoodleNet.

I have not been a big proponent of software that blocks access to portions of the web to control where kids surf because of the problems many users report after installing them. I'll be checking out NoodleNet to see if, as the company says, it is less complicated than other programs and more effective in providing a safe online experience for kids without rendering the computer unusable for everyone else.

In the meantime, here's a look at what NoodleNet offers. It's designed for kids ages 3-11, and it provides three pre-set online experiences for kids ages 3-5, 6-8, and 9-11. "Depending on their age, kids see different content and a different interface," says Michael Callahan, president of the Plano, Texas-based company. Callahan spent eight years at McAfee as VP of technical support and customer service. As a father a 4 year old and a 10 month old, he said the startup team's aim was to make creating a walled-off Internet experience as simple as possible for parents and fun and challenging for kids.

The software comes with the ability to access hundreds of pre-approved, screened web sites, games, puzzles, videos, and other activities. Since kids and parents will obviously want to access some sites not on the list, Callahan says they have made the process easy to add web sites and games already on the computer to the approved list.

It's available on a subscription basis-$7.99 a month or $79.99 for a full year. There's also a $99.99 option that includes remote installation with the help of a NoodleNet technician. NoodleNet also offers unlimited guardian accounts that allow grandparents and other caregivers to run NoodleNet on their PCs so kids can use their computers with the settings arranged by parents while away from home.

Does a new software approach to Internet safety for kids appeal to you, or are you gunshy after past experiences with programs? Let us know what's working for you as you strive to keep the Net safe for your kids, and what you'd like to see in the perfect software program.