Sentry Parental Controls

Sentry Parental Controls is a supplier of Content-control software that logs, notifies and blocks inappropriate content that may be unsuitable for children. The software is owned by SearchHelp Inc. (OTCBB: SHLP). [cite web|title= Full Description SearchHelp Inc (OTC BB)|publisher=Reuters|url=http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=SHLP.OB|date=2008|accessdate=2008-10-05] The company conducts survey research of parental concerns over Internet use.cite web|title=Internet is parents' biggest fear|publisher=Liverpool Victoria|url=http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/archive/detail?detailid=872&from=/media_centre/news/archive/month&month=6/2008|date=2008|accessdate=2008-10-04] [cite web|title=The web's fourth most dangerous word? Emo|publisher=The Guardian|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2008/aug/06/thewebsfourthmostdangerous|date=2008|accessdate=2008-10-04]

In common with other software of this type, it provides Parental controls for the safer use of web browsers, instant messaging, file transfers and other applications through a web-based control panel and updates on the child's computer with Real-time protection. The parent can log into this control panel from any computer with the option to allow or block certain words, phrases, URLs and categories of inappropriate content. In 2008 its software packages comprised Sentry At Home and Sentry Remote; Sentry Predator Locator was discontinued in December 2007.

The software was endorsed by American football player Drew Bledsoe in January 2008 as part of the "Parenting With Dignity" program. [cite web|title=SearchHelp, Pro-Motions and Drew Bledsoe Form Strategic Partnership to Promote Software Through Celebrity and Non-Profit Organization Involvement|publisher=Marketwire|date=January 17 2008|url=http://finance.sfgate.com/hearst?Account=sfgate&GUID=4356985&Page=MediaViewer&Ticker=SHLP|accessdate=2008-10-04] Sentry Parental Controls - UK was launched on April 8 2008. Coleen Nolan from Loose Women virally launched the software [cite news|url= http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-marketing-services/brazen-to-launch-software-to-protect-children-from-web-predators,-with-coleen-nolan%E2%80%99s-help-200803262203/|title=Brazen to launch software to protect children from web predators, with Coleen Nolan’s help|publisher="How-Do" | date = March 26 2008| accessdate=2008-04-24] and it was soon mentioned as a "Must Have" by The Daily Telegraph. [cite news|url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/2008/04/10/dlhave110.xml|title= Must have: Sentry Parental Controls|publisher=The Daily Telegraph online|date = April 10 2008| accessdate=2008-04-24] The company became a member of the Internet Watch Foundation in September 2008. [cite web|title=Sentry Parental Controls joins the IWF|publisher=Internet Watch Foundation|url=http://www.iwf.org.uk/media/news.241.htm|date=September 25 2008|accessdate=2008-10-04] As of October 2008, it was in use by 30,000 parents in the US. [cite web|title='Talking to children at their own level is very important’|publisher=South Wales Echo|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2008/05/05/talking-to-children-at-their-own-level-is-very-important-91466-20863802/|date=2008|accessdate=2008-10-05]

ee also

*Parental controls
*Content-control software
*List of content-control software
*Internet censorship
*Computer surveillance
*Wordfilter

References

External links

* [http://www.sentryparentalcontrols.co.uk Sentry Parental Controls Web Site]