Windows 8 Family Safety features detailed by Microsoft

Windows 8 has plenty of cloud functionality built-in from the get-go, from letting you log in with your Microsoft account to the cloud-powered intelligence of the SmartScreen Application Reputation service that keeps malware away. One more way they’re letting you leverage the power of the cloud is by integrating Windows Live Family Safety and delivering robust parental controls to all Windows 8 users.

The added functionality takes control way beyond administrator and standard accounts. When you specify that an account on your Windows 8 machine belongs to a child, you’ll be able to explicitly choose which websites, apps, and games can be accessed, set up time limits, and you’ll also receive regular usage reports in your inbox. And yes, these accounts are set up as standard users — so they won’t be able to tinker with things like account settings and undo all your tweaking or accidentally remove your favorite apps.

Allow and block lists are a breeze to set up. Games can be blocked by rating, the Windows website filter lets you import lists or add sites one at a time, and you can prevent virtually any program being installed on a system, even if it’s not in the program files directory. The new controls make it easy to administrate your family LAN. If your child accounts use a Microsoft account, settings will even follow them from computer to computer — making administration even simpler.

Metro child account creation, from Building Windows 8

Parental controls and monitoring software always raise the issue of trust, and it’s important to remember that tools like the ones offered by Windows 8 aren’t meant as a replacement for it. They’re another tool in the parental shed. They provide a safety net, and they’re also helpful for making sure that younger children don’t accidentally stumble across content that is inarguably not suitable for their eyes — of which there’s plenty on the Internet. 

 

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