KIDO’Z Is A Customisable Kid-Friendly Browser
Adobe Air: KIDO’Z is an Adobe-Air-based browser for children, and a great choice if you need to exercise a high degree of control over content and browsing time.
There’s no substitute for direct supervision, but if you want to let a kid play on the net in a safe and fenced-off fashion without your having to watchdog every keystroke, KIDO’Z does an admirable job. It’s a simplified browser with user-supplied content. The default content is a little on the fluffy side, but thankfully you can hop right in and create your own list of sites within the parental control menu.
You can restrict the browser to just content you white list, or allow it to access any KIDO’Z-approved or any public content. There are optional time-based restrictions, and the ability to open and lock the browser to the desktop on computer startup. If you’re doing some comparison shopping for a kid-friendly browser, make sure to check out some of the other great options we’ve reviewed like Kidzui, KidRocket, or if your kids are a bit older how to turn OpenDNS into a parental filter.
KIDO’Z [via Tech Crunch]
Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
My 4 year old brother uses this alot and he loves it.
tenio
Their going see it eventually. Better now then when they turn 18. (In some states)
@Ian Katz: Not being 3yr old but yes with 12yr old or >
Ian Katz
I would better let my kids watch porn easily, it will make them better and happier.
Ian Katz
@meow-mixer: Haha yeah...
AtomFury
"Kido iz" or "Kido'z" as in it owns something? Either way it's a grammatical fail.
I never had this growing up. All I had was Internet Explorer and neopets.
meow-mixer
Sounds handy but I think if I ever get a kid, he would get sick of computers (not what I wanted, I would want him to become a computer person!) so.. I think I would still stick with opendns to block sites.
lbrtdy
@tbone92'Z comment: Perhaps the "Kido" owns the browser.
grawss
@Ian Katz: If I had to guess I'd say you come from a european country
how about the KidZui addon for FF
James Driver
Anyone have a URL or suggestion for how to best lock down a PC so this browser (or something similar) opens on bootup and cannot be closed down? I have an old laptop I'd love to install this one and test with my 2 year old... I just don't want him being able to close down the browser without a password or my doing it for him. Thanks.
@Ian Katz: I smell a ban coming on...
I can't believe Lifehacker recommends OpenDNS. It ruins Browse By Name in Firefox. And no, you can't fix it just by changing it to the I'm feeling lucky address, it's not the same.
Wewtaco
Good browser for children, but I do not know that it can able to prevent other porn contents. And how much security provide it?
@GA TechWriter: Use an alternative shell, I'd reccomend Emerge Desktop, because you can set any necessary pieces of shell to be on mouseover only. LH has covered something which will autorestart processes, but I can't recall what it is.
@Wewtaco: oDNS is fantastic, despite that.
@Ian Katz: You'd teach your boys to objectify women, and your girls that they're just sex objects?
Thank god you're clearly not old enough to have kids.
Well, hopefully the authorities will take your kids away from you !@Ian Katz:
xtremeleafan
For some free (and fairly decent) web filtering with kids, you can use K9 software. [www1.k9webprotection.com] The product is the free version of the corporate version made by Blue Coat.
SpudDude
@wewillchange: Disagree
SpudDude
@Ian Katz: Sick puppy alert!
SpudDude
@meow-mixer: I had BBS and King's Quest, so don't complain! :-P
thoerner
Like any other platform, this seems like an opt in for parents who want to go about it this way. As for introducing porn to young kids as one comment suggests. All I can say is, I am glad you are not my niece's parent.
Kidoz is a great browser, even sort of addictive for a grown kid who, well, would be me. Simply the best of its kind, I love it!!
PhineasEscatruck
This isn't much of a learning tool for young kids today. You're just creating a bubble for them to roam around. They should be able to access any website with a parental control filter which blocks inappropriate websites for kids. Check out my review here - http://www.mangochico.com/kidoz-a-kids-web-browser/
UmbertoAcacallis
I installed this for my 5 yr old daughter and she is able to use it on her own for the most part. I like it better than Kidzui. Works on both the Win7 PC and the kids' Edubuntu box.
EdwardMagpie
finally this looks pretty cool, i have a 9 year old brother and even beyond the safety issues, he's not even interested in the regular internet.
he wants games, bright colors and disney and he wants it now!
Wayne Byrne
Great idea, I wish I had this as a kid!
ChanningLawlipop
Took the time to show my niece this morning, and she really got into it. Now I'm just hoping the AIR runtime doesn't take over their computer. This is great for kids though... keep it up KIDO'Z!
VidorPython
Hi You can adjust the KIDO'Z settings so that exit from the application is password-protected. So your child will be safe in the system and only you can exit using your password. This is set up from the parental control account. If you would like more info on how to do this, please let us know. Nici, KIDO'Z
OrfeoKingfisher
Kings Quest and Muds were awesome. I miss the old days. Back when the only thing you had to know was how to turn on a computer and you were considered a computer god
LilahDawhoa
Hi Thanks for all the feedback and support. Just to answer some of the comments around security, KIDO'Z takes multiple approaches to ensure that the environment and content is completely safe for kids - All content is pre-approved by the KIDO'Z moderation team before anything goes live into the public domain, to ensure that only kid-appropriate sites are available Security settings can also be adjusted by the parents e.g. parents can allow only content that they specifically authorize, parents can block any content/approve any content that they wish, and can block exit from the system to ensure that their child stays in KIDO'Z, etc Content filtering settings can be adjusted by parents in the Parental Control Account (i.e. parents can filter content according to age, language, nationality, gender, etc) We aren't trying to wall a garden - just to provide a great, fun, interactive tool that is also completely safe. Parents can personalize KIDO'Z for their kids by adding new content to entertain, educate and enrich their child's web experience as much as they would like, within a safe setting. We hope that you enjoy KIDO'Z and continue giving us feedback. All the best Nici, KIDO'Z
RosalindGoat