TELUS security services

Parental controls

The Parental controls service allows parents to selectively block or allow web access for their children by providing web content filtering and web time management (limiting access to Internet). When web access is blocked, a message is displayed explaining the reason why access was denied. You then have the option to bypass parental controls by entering a password.

You can turn this service on or off on the Parental controls page. The default setting is Off and the default age based profile is 3-7 (Child). Turning on parental controls requires a security service password.

How it works

• After enabling Parental controls, you must first create a Windows user account for each person that requires website and usage restrictions.
• Once the Windows user account is created, you can manage accounts by selecting which account to link to the Parental controls service.
• Unlike movies or television shows, web sites do not contain standard ratings such as "14+". In order to decide whether to block or allow a specific web page, a database is used to store categories for web site URLs. Categorization is usually performed through a combination of automated filtering and human verification processes. When your child browses a web site, the parental control software fetches the site's rating from the database.
• The acceptable rating level is defined by you and protected with a password. When your child attempts to view certain content, the content's rating (if known) is compared to the acceptable rating level. The content is then blocked or allowed, according to these factors.

Features include:

• The ability to choose which websites categories should be blocked or allowed per user.
• Four levels of filtering (Ages 3-7, Ages 8-12, Ages 13-17, Adult) and custom filtering.
• An exception list that lets you trust or block specific websites.
• Permission to access a website with a correct password.
• Configurable web access schedule for your children on an hourly basis.
• The option to bypass restricted usage and use the Internet for an hour with a correct password
• Access to a list of websites blocked by Parental controls service.

Parental controls service will NOT:

• Support https traffic because encrypted information cannot be filtered.
• Filter for images, it is a URL filter.
• Block email or instant messaging programs.
• Block website held in a web browser's cache.

Benefits

• Provides strong and effective parental controls by allowing you to selectively allow web access for your children.
• Easy multi-user profile settings for easy selection of age based profiles of pre-configured allowed/disallowed web site categories. You always have the option to edit the pre-configured profiles.

Learn more about helping your kids surf safely.