Since its beta version launched in the summer, more than 17,000 households have downloaded the ParentalControl Bar, according to CNET.com. Its success comes with no significant advertising efforts.
“We support the use of end-user filtering tools,” Michelle Freridge, executive director of the FSC, said. “These tools allow the consumer to decide what is appropriate and not appropriate for themselves and their children, rather than relying on the government or third party to make such personal moral decisions.”
For the ParentalControl Bar to take effect, parents can activate “Child-Mode” while their children surf the Internet, and the toolbar will block access to adult websites. At press time, the tool, provided as a free public service, is compatible only with Internet Explorer. A Firefox version is coming soon.
“We have received many positive emails from parents around the world supporting the concept of free parental controls,” WRAAC President Jeff Young said. “We simply label the content and nature of the most popular websites on the Internet. This data [together with a simple, free browser filtering tool] empowers parents to make their own decision on the forms of content that enters the home. Our mission is to build the world’s most simple, effective filtering software and distribute it for free.”
First Amendment specialist and Free Speech Coalition Internet Committee Attorney Lawrence G. Walters agrees with Young and Freridge.
“WRAAC has donated substantial time and resources to making this project a reality,” Walters said. “The adult Internet community stands to benefit substantially from its efforts. The time has come for action in regards to labeling. The industry cannot afford to wait another second, given the current political climate. If webmasters are fortunate enough to dodge the bullet of mandatory labeling legislation this session, it must demonstrate that it has the issue well in hand before the government decides its fate, next term.”
