Internet safety for 8yo....recommendations?

I did a couple searches here at MajorGeeks and wasn't able to come up with what I am looking for.

My 8yo daughter got a laptop for Christmas. Mostly so she can follow along with me and learn Photoshop, but also for some light internet use. Her internet knowledge is not much beyond Webkinz, NickJr.com, Barbie.com, tracking Santa, etc. :-D

IM, chatting, forums are not a concern as she hasn't a clue about such things (yetrolleyes) and her computer will be downstairs with all of us. Mostly I'm looking for something that will keep her from accidentally ending up somewhere that will melt her eyes or otherwise scar her for life.

I'm a pretty tame user of the internet myself - I'm sure I can't even begin to imagine what's lurking out there, so I don't really know what I should be blocking other than to say she wouldn't yet go looking for objectional content, but could very likely end up somewhere unintentionally. She will be the only one using this computer.

Anything free would be great of course, but I'll pay for whatever it is I need!

Thanks in advance

 

As I don't personally have children, I can't vouch for the usefulness of the following suggestions, but my friends with children have used these apps in the past: CyberSieve, NetNanny, NetDog, and WebAllow. There used to be a freeware program called "Naomi" that was excellent, but it appears that it is no longer in active development or supported. However, some freeware alternatives were listed at the more-or-less defunct Naomi web site, one of which is WeBlocker. Good luck! I hope this helps a bit.... and best wishes for the New Year!

:wine [dlb] :wine

 

You can also set her laptop to use OpenDNS, register for free and block the majority of known bad sites and customise it the way you want.