- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
- Date added: September 03, 2006
- Total Downloads: 573,319
- Downloads last week: 4,418
- See full specifications
A newer version of ParentalControl Bar is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 188 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
Parental control filters have a reputation for charging a lot and giving back very little in return. Sometimes, they literally don't give enough back, and have been known to block completely clean sites.
ParentalControl Bar isn't perfect--like its cousins, it blocks some sites that shouldn't be obstructed, and occasionally allows sites that should be blocked. However, the price is right--it costs nothing. Not only does it not extort parents for its services, it allows parents to approve sites both on the fly and via a "Blocked history" list.
The app is small, just over 1MB. The toolbar interface allows parents one-click switching from Parent to Child mode by clicking a button, which changes from red to green. To switch back--or to use any of its nonblocking functions or view a blocked site--a password is required.
Despite claims to the contrary, the program doesn't support Firefox 2, although it does work fine on Internet Explorer 7. For parents looking for a cost-effective tool to help give their children a bit of controlled freedom on the Internet, ParentalControl Bar is a safe way to go.
Publisher's description
From WRAAC :The ParentalControl Bar is a free public service that helps concerned parents prevent their children from accessing adult-oriented Web sites. Complete our simple, three-step installation process below and start controling your family's online activity.
Version 4.0.3.344 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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User reviews of ParentalControl Bar 4.0.3.344
- Average user rating: 2.9 stars out of 188 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 128 user reviewsSee all 128 user reviews
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14 out of 16 people found this review helpful
Version: ParentalControl Bar 4.0.3.344
"Miles ahead of everything else"
Pros: It's funny. This product is free...yet it works better than any of the pay products. And not just a little better, WAY better. I just wish I could get my money back from the other ones. BTW, this works on PC and MAC as I have both in the house (and it works on my firefox 2.0)
Cons: All the filters I have used 'block' sites they shouldn't. This one does it less though and I can 'allow' the sites that got blocked so I just check my child's surf history once a week and 'allow' the ones I want. It' really not that hard.
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4 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Version: ParentalControl Bar 4.0.3.344
Pros: I feel confident that my children can surf the net safely with this program
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: ParentalControl Bar 4.0.3.344
"Extremely easy to use and can't beat the price."
Pros: We used Net Nanny for the last 2 years after paying the $40 fee. But it wasn't compatible with IE 7 and so we went searching for something new. This is an excellent alternative. It's much less buggy (NN crashed all the time), MUCH less complicated, it's very intuitive to use, and it's a small file.
Cons: I haven't figured out how it updates its list of blocked sites. I don't like the fact that the hint is so visible to kids on the pop-up which prompts you when you seek to enter parent mode. I'm a bit concerned about the fact that when something is blocked it says why ( for instance, 'nudity') where the kid can see. But these are small things.
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2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: ParentalControl Bar 4.0.3.344
"I think its a great product for parents who want to monitor there childs net use"
Pros: The tool bar is great for allowing children to browse the internet. My children are 11 and 8 and its wonderful to be able to let them surf the internet and not have to worry that they might see something thats innapropriate.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: ParentalControl Bar 4.0.3.344
Cons: Crashes every time I try to install it.
- See all 128 user reviews Write review
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