EarthLink is teaming with Internet technology company SurfMonkey on a new browser for children that incorporates porn filters, a move that takes aim at America Online by seeking to make its Internet service more attractive to families.
The company said the free, downloadable browser and new children's services, dubbed "EarthLink Kids Powered by SurfMonkey," are designed to offer children a safer online experience. The services, which will be offered on EarthLink's site, will include links to educational Web sites as well as filtering technology that attempts to block inappropriate material.
Shin Seto, an EarthLink product manager, said the company decided to offer the children's services because of the "growing concern over a lot of dangers that are on the Internet," such as porn and hate sites as well as strangers that children may encounter through online chat rooms, instant messaging or e-mail.
Campbell, Calif.-based SurfMonkey said it built the children's browser and services for ISPs that want to compete with AOL, which offers a Parental Control content filtering system. SurfMonkey said it uses a technology that checks Web pages and rates that particular page against a list of inappropriate Web sites. If a child, for instance, stumbles on a porn site, that site will be blocked. However, if the child is doing research on sex education, those sites related to that information will be allowed. The company said it checks words and combination of words so acceptable sites will not be blocked.
SurfMonkey added that it does not track children's online behavior or collect personal data.
News source: CNet News
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