WHIZKIDS LLC FAQs Page

2. What Internet Protection Software should I use?

There are many options on the market with respect to "Content Filtering"; WHIZKIDS is currently using and testing several titles for best fit to the class, students and our business.

See Internet Content Filters for a working list and notes; at this time, we're evaluating "ContentProtect", "CyberSitter" and "CyberPatrol". Other software to protect against virusus, spyware, etc. will be discussed in upcoming FAQs.
Other sorts of privacy and protection software include Anti-Virus, Adware and Spybot, Pop-up Blockers, Encryption, Tiny URLs, Registry Scanners, Windows/System "Tweakers", Backups and Offline Media, Site Advisors, and the actual configuration settings for your browsers, search engines, network connections and Internet Service Provider (ISP) products. The best are typically not for free, but free products and those bundled with Microsoft products or online services are typically good enough. Note that use of such products MUST be paired with common sense, awareness, consistency and good computer use habits.

Contact us and we can suggest an optimal approach for your family, lifestyle, and computer environment.

3. How do I know if my child's school protects them on the Internet?

Check with the school Principle or WebMaster - it may be likely that they can't share this information, in specifics (for privacy/security reasons), but they can probably share what their approach accomplishes. All schools that receive Federal funding have to address this issue, though how they address it may be very different.

4. How early should Children learn to use the computer?

This is a topic that's been studied for several decades now, without much clear consensus other than this; with proper oversight, moderation and balance with respect to the child's family, activities, school and computer equipment, a computer can provide positive value from an entertainment, educational and overall growth perspective. Research has shown that 3- and 4-year-old children who use computers with supporting activities that reinforce the major objectives of the programs have significantly greater developmental gains when compared to children without computer experiences in similar classrooms-gains in intelligence, nonverbal skills, structural knowledge, long-term memory, manual dexterity, verbal skills, problem solving, abstraction, and conceptual skills (Haugland, 1992).

What it boils down to is that it's never too early, so long as you, the parent, can be intimately involved, provide consistent guidance, and make sure to protect your computer system. Our children (ages 2-8) are ALL on the computer; the 2-yr old mostly just watches and listens, the 8-yr old does just about everything.

5. What do I get out of the Adult class?

We've found that there's a silent majority of adults in the community that simply haven't had the time, opportunity or need to use computers, or use them much beyond Internet "surfing". Many graduated college before word processing was commonly available. Now's catch-up time for those who want to use their computer in their home business, to with their children's schoolwork, or to generally improve their efficiency. Time savings can be immense with such simple things as tracking the home budget to printing invitations. You get what you need out of the class; let us know what's most important!