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MSN Messenger And Your Children, A Safer Alternative

Instant chat over the internet through programs like MSN Messenger, Yahoo Instant Chat, AIM (AOL) and ICQ is one of the most popular reasons children want to use a computer. The ability to instantly talk to their friends for free is something that shouldn't be knocked, it would be great if they would learn to spell correctly and not type in some sort of shortened text speak nonsense but we can't have everything!

However simply because of the personal nature of instant chat it is also one of the child groomers/stalkers most popular tactics of initiating inappropriate contact. What starts of as a comment left on a Bebo or FaceBook profile will often lead to a request to chat over some form of instant messenger style application. Whilst ICU can record this activity for you to review I'm well aware that some parents would prefer a more guarded approach, especially for younger and more vulnerable children.

There is an application available called the Safe Chat Universal Messenger that can control how your child uses instant chat. It acts as a MSN Messenger replacement that works over 4 networks (MSN, Yahoo, AIM and ICQ) where by use as the parent have ultimate control over who your child is and isn't allowed to speak to. Some of it's features include:-

  • Allows parents to determine with whom their child can chat.
  • Allows parents to set the hours when chatting will be permitted - preventing the child from conversing outside of the hours specified by the parent.
  • Forces use of Microsoft Internet Explorer while Safe Chat is operational. Parental override is just a click.
  • Prevents tampering with Internet Explorer Restricted sites.

  • Prevents foul language from being used during a chat session. Built-in list of prohibited words and phrases that the parent can customize. Any language contained in the list will be masked out as *****, while the rest of the phrase will be visible.
  • Protects personal information from accidentally being given out (i.e. name, address, city, phone number…whatever the parent decides is private information.)
  • Provides a customizable list of known dangerous web-based chat sites that can be blocked and is able to be edited / updated at anytime.
  • Intelligent filtering technology can be set to automatically block a site if it detects instances of foul or undesirable language. The sensitivity is controlled, and is easily changed, by the parent.
  • Prevents video chat and audio chat from being used during chat sessions
  • Prevents Peer-to-Peer network access (inappropriate access of porn videos and photos)

For those with younger children worried about the dangers poised from being able to chat instantly over the internet that could be of great use. Even better news is that you can get your copy of Safe Chat Universal Messenger for free by using TrialPay.

By working over 4 different networks it should be an easy sell to children, not only does it give you much more control over their instant chat activity but it also allows them to talk to friends on multiple networks. If you've got a very young child that likes to use instant chat then Safe Chat Universal Messenger comes highly recommended.