Are you purchasing a new PC this holiday season and wondering how to control the cyber-bullying, sexting, and wandering through virtual dark allies? PureSight (ranked top 2 by Top Ten Reviews) has created an easy to use software that allows you to create a parental control profile to meet the specific needs of everyone from your toddler to your spouse.

The software is installed at an administrative level and then accounts can be created for each user.  There are some great features of the software that I want to point out:

First and foremost it was really easy to install and set up.  The step-by-step set up allows you to choose from the pre-loaded filtering and monitoring set-up appropriate at different ages or you can customize the setting to fit your specific needs as you go.

I found the Active Chat Inspector to be one on the most interesting features in combating cyber-bullying.  The software inspects all chats that take place on that computer, including Facebook and monitors offensive and hurtful language.  It then alerts the parent account in real time.  So you would receive an e-mail immediately if there is something you NEED to know.
You can set time limits on Internet and chat use with ease and even render the computer unusable during off-peak hours.

But my favorite part of the software is that you can set it up so that the monitored account has full range of use but you still receive a report of activity you have deemed unacceptable.  With teenagers I really like this because it won’t report ever website, every chat, or every encounter.  It does give them a modicum of privacy.  However, the thing you deem unacceptable or you want to know about, it will tell you.  That way you can parent responsibly while allowing a deserving teenager a little freedom and privacy.

Just remember, if you are shopping for a way to set expectations when it comes to their online use, software such as PureSight is a great option.  But you have to remember, even the best parental controls will not keep them safe at all times online.  Kids have unfiltered access to technology from school, a friend’s house or even a mobile device.  So make sure you are having appropriate conversations about what they’re doing and where they are going online and don’t just leave it to the software.