[PLUG] email for kids

russell-evans at qwest.net russell-evans at qwest.net
Fri Sep 26 23:19:01 UTC 2003


Are you looking for safety / parental controls, client functionality, or both? 

ComputerBits used to have a series of articles devoted to Internet use by
children. They may still have the series going, I haven't been looking for new
hardware, so haven't been reading it lately.  There seem to be some resources
on a google of "email for kids". The k12linux list might be a better place to
ask. as I assume they have covered client, as will as safety, issues in their
project. 

I personally prefer to keep in touch with my family, mother and sisters, via
IM. We pass the occasional email, but mostly we chat. If you think this is an
option, then Trillian is my favorite client for windows. I would think that it
is easier to control unwanted contacts via IM, than via email. My experience
with this is limited, however. I usually sent up the accounts for my family so
that only people in their buddy list can contact them. I don't keep tabs on
what they do with it after I set it up as they are adults, so can't speak to
how safe this is. I have no experience in locking down a internet connected
computer so that it remains a safe envirnoment for children. 

Thank you
Russell


On 26 Sep 2003 07:24:42 -0700, Brian Beattie said:

> I'm taking a 6 month contract on the east coast my wife and the kids are
>  staying here and I'm thinking about setting up email for my 9 yo.  My
>  wife and I use Evolution/Linux, but the kids computer is a windows box
>  for his games.  He does not use the network much.  I was wondering if
>  anybody had am opinions on what might work well.





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