iPod touch Preventing porn?

[aliensporebomb]

There is also...

There's also an app called Covenant Eyes that I thought they were putting a mobile version together.

I found this out when working on a guys computer doing some support work and the machine was so locked down I could hardly run an antivirus sweep.

Basically, with Covenant Eyes if you surf porn or try to pull up one of the URLs it belives is porn it fires off an email that you were doing so to your wife, your pastor and your best friend and any other party who is participating in your recovery from a porn addiction.

It's basically to prevent grown married guys with restrictive spouses and yet hunger for lots of porn from surfing it.

In this guys case, it was his teenage sons who were trying to surf for the stuff. Frankly, it's normal to be curious but the kids should not have had access to his business laptop.

Anyway, another potential solution for someone.

 

[ppcg4mac]

If you truly want to block porn, you would have to chain him to the basement wall, and then that may not work.

 

[PracticalMac]

Our big concern is the crap that isn't natural, or is disrespectful. They also know they can talk to us about anything they see. So far this method seems to be working. I decided to not let technology watch my kids. Technology can be hacked. Good parenting can't.

Such as the unrestrained, extremely violent, and grotesque violence.
From slapping, hitting, beating, to people guts hanging off a tree, or used to hang someone from that tree.

Rather my kids see soft porn then a persons bloody head on a pike.

 

[PracticalMac]

But kids will come to a certain age where they will feel the need to discover it.

That reminds me.

I heard PRE-teenss talking about sex.
They KNOW, enough it will surprise you.

 

[NewbieCanada]

It's funny how everyone here thinks porn is a prerequisite for masturbation. I hit puberty in the early 80s, had zero access to porn, and I had no problems using my imagination.


Whatever you have access to with the highest nudity factor becomes your porn.

And at least if the kid sees porn on the Ipod's 3.5 inch screen he won't feel inadequate compared to the actors.

 

[darinc38122]

I'm not going to get too involved in this discussion, but I'd like to chime in and mention that you can delete individual history items in Safari on the Mac, and that on the iOS platform they could get around that by downloading a alternate browser..

Thanks, I know that, but my kids don't. I don't want to censor them, I want them to learn to censor themselves. My son always rats himself out at some point.

He isn't suppose to have people in the house, but asked his mom to download pictures from his phone. It just so happened he had pictures of his friends in the house. Kids will eventually get caught. They will miss something. There was another time when he tried to delete some texts with a friend. The problem was the conversation didn't make sense. I asked him about it and he confessed he didn't want me to read it.

 

[eclipse]

Did you forget what it's like to be under 30? Here's a hint: sex and masturbation is important, both for your mental and personal health. Your son will not lose his vision and will not grow hairy palms if he masturbates. If he doesn't get off to porn, he will get off regardless. He's a boy. Obviously at some age around puberty. It will happen. Often. Don't be naive about the situation-- installing a filter will do nothing unless you hide him in a black box shielded from the world.

I am really, really bored of all the 'porn is OK' lectures. Porn addiction has ruined many men; it's had guys fired from work, ruined marriages, set up impossible standards that most real women cannot meet, and indicates to men that a real woman should respond just like their computers do: just a few mouse-clicks away, and always obedient. Grow up. The world doesn't work like that: on demand sex divorced from any real relationship and communication is a myth, as anyone in a real relationship knows. There's give and take. There's dishes to do and nappies to change. There's exhaustion. But porn is an escape from all that, and teaches young men that women SHOULD behave in a certain way. It ain't so.

I'm not trying to prevent my son having any 'private time' but basically trying to protect him from some of the more unhelpful stuff out there.

If you cannot answer the obvious I.T. question in this thread, then just don't post.

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To expand on my previous post, it's actually possible to completely configure your router to both use OpenDNS for filtering AND OpenWrt to prevent DHCP clients from specifying their own DNS servers. Normally, if the router's DNS server is unsatisfactory, each client is able to specify its own. However, with certain OpenWrt configurations, it's possible to block these requests. Short of completely resetting the router to its default settings, it IS possible to achieve a complete porn-blocking solution.

Of course, there will be false positives, so it's not fool proof.

First, thanks for your support and trying to get this thread back onto the actual I.T. related subject!

Second, OpenWrt? Do you have a useful guide or do I just google it?

 

[darkplanets]

I am really, really bored of all the 'porn is OK' lectures. Porn addiction has ruined many men; it's had guys fired from work, ruined marriages, set up impossible standards that most real women cannot meet, and indicates to men that a real woman should respond just like their computers do: just a few mouse-clicks away, and always obedient. Grow up. The world doesn't work like that: on demand sex divorced from any real relationship and communication is a myth, as anyone in a real relationship knows. There's give and take. There's dishes to do and nappies to change. There's exhaustion. But porn is an escape from all that, and teaches young men that women SHOULD behave in a certain way. It ain't so.

I'm not trying to prevent my son having any 'private time' but basically trying to protect him from some of the more unhelpful stuff out there.

If you cannot answer the obvious I.T. question in this thread, then just don't post.

Fortunately or unfortunately for you, I am just as entitled to my opinion as you are to yours. My comment was relevant -- no amount of IT protection will stop the willing and curious. It's almost synonymous to the "Great firewall" of China, and that's not calling you a dictatorial government either.

For all the talk about growing up, you need to do a little introspection yourself. Porn addiction is like any addiction, be it food, alcohol, or other substances. Any auditory or sensual input can technically be addictive, with some of the more erroneous sources relying on learned or inherited behavior patterns. Point is, he's not going to become some porn fiend -- few do. He probably has a better chance of becoming a type II diabetic, followed by an alcoholic, followed by a "druggie."

As per the expected behavior derived from pornographic content... when did I ever comment on that? (the answer is never). Everyone knows that porn is fabricated and not at all indicative of real life -- if it were, everyone would have monthly STD tests and get routine enemas pre-coitus. I never quite understood the anti porn lobby -- it doesn't take a genius to realize that what's viewed in porn (usually) doesn't translate into real life behavior, bar some people and their fetishes. It doesn't create any unreasonable expectations either, and unless your son is a dolt (which I assume he's not), he should have no problems distinguishing paid actors and models and reality. He clearly doesn't get confused about TV. Also, masturbation != sex. For all of the talk about relationships and communication you seem to miss this idea. Fornicating with ones self is obviously vastly different, both physically and emotionally, than sex, thus any implicit feelings associated with porn are typically confined to that media.

Back to your original topic though -- mark my words, he will view pornographic material. You'd do better having a candid discussion with him about your concerns and views. Getting around DNS blockage is trivial -- keep in mind all the DNS does is associate a name with an IP address.

 

[eclipse]

Fortunately or unfortunately for you, I am just as entitled to my opinion as you are to yours. My comment was relevant -- no amount of IT protection will stop the willing and curious. It's almost synonymous to the "Great firewall" of China, and that's not calling you a dictatorial government either.

Others disagree with your pessimistic philosophy about the I.T. situation.
These Others have the actual I.T. information I'm interested in.
They are addressing this thing we call the Opening Post, otherwise known as the subject of the thread.

You are not.

 

[MythicFrost]

There's nothing you can do on an iPod touch other than go into Settings > General > Restrictions and disable Safari and/or YouTube. From memory, disabling Safari also disables other web browsers, but you should confirm that yourself.

You can also set ratings for the iTunes and App stores so he can't go watch movie trailers or download apps which are inappropriate -- though the latter isn't so much of a problem if he's using your account as you'll see everything he purchases and even downloads I think.

There's no way to share the screen, and there's no way to record what he does on it. Such things may be possible on a jail broken device, but that's going to be sketchy at best, and if it's jail broken he can probably circumvent the restrictions by modifying files, etc., so I wouldn't recommend a JB.

Kudos to you, for not just letting him do it. I agree with your statements about porn, too.

 

[darkplanets]

Others disagree with your pessimistic philosophy about the I.T. situation.
These Others have the actual I.T. information I'm interested in.
They are addressing this thing we call the Opening Post, otherwise known as the subject of the thread.

You are not.

Perhaps you need to read more? I would say the following addresses the original post:

Back to your original topic though -- mark my words, he will view pornographic material. You'd do better having a candid discussion with him about your concerns and views. Getting around DNS blockage is trivial -- keep in mind all the DNS does is associate a name with an IP address.

Also, others do agree with me as well. I would suggest that you be more open minded to dissenting opinions.

Since you're so hellbent on locking down the internet instead of having a candid discussion with your son though, you should be aware of some workarounds. For one, if you don't have OpenWrt, he can just assign a new DNS name, ergo that would be pointless. Even still though, he could just VPN out of the network in tunnel mode and use the VPN's DNS (as you often can with good VPNs)-- if he used split mode then OpenWrt should still stop him, but with tunneling you can't short of port blockage. Tor also uses it's own DNS resolver I believe, but unless you have the tightest router shutdown possible, you won't stop it -- to be rather non-technical it was originally designed to bypass protection systems like China's, and uses a node system to bounce queries along. Tor would enable him to view softcore porn with ease (but doesn't have the bandwidth for video, really), as well as have access to the "deep web" (dumb name, really) which is really just a bunch of gray legal content.

If you choose to DNS block and port shutdown, the only real way is to shut off the internet itself (80 and 443), and by having port shutdown you'll be limiting your own potential services, say if you want to use VPNs, Tor, or other proxies for work or other activities. Most work authentication uses a VPN service. Keep in mind he can also use a port scan to check which ports are open and re-route traffic accordingly, if the host service would allow it. You can block P2P services based on domain tagging with OpenDNS, but keep in mind that none of these groupings are perfect -- all of the domain groupings are based on submitted content. P2P blocking relies upon filtering out top level domains like trackers and torrent sites, but with the "new" methods of magnet links and trackerless swarms, stopping that is near impossible as well -- all he needs is the magnet link, which can be found anywhere. There's also Newsgroups, but you would know about that since those are all paid services. Just remember that the internet is large, and the number of porn sites and porn delivery methods is even larger. Be aware that pornographic material can be viewed on just about any site, from random blogs to even dumb people on facebook (and sometimes youtube, when they get raided). No solution will be perfect, which is why I again stress that the best solution is to talk to your son.

 

[lannisters4life]

Others disagree with your pessimistic philosophy about the I.T. situation.
These Others have the actual I.T. information I'm interested in.
They are addressing this thing we call the Opening Post, otherwise known as the subject of the thread.

You are not.

It was fine for you to share your off topic opinion but it's not fine for anyone else to do so with a different opinion? You made sweeping, blind generalisations that needed rebuttal, and it turns out this person actually has the knowledge you want afterall. Jesus would frown at your rudeness.

 

[TimTheEnchanter]

I have a different take on this... putting all of these blocks will challenge and foster growth by developing his problem solving skills. Making him work for his goals and rewards can not only increase skills but also build character and greater self-esteem. But you'll need to be ready with new, more challenging blocks to keep him engaged. One day he could go on to be a brilliant CEO of a major technology company or maybe a tech-savvy FBI agent saving the country from cyber-warfare, all because he was encouraged to hone his skills and intellect before boxing his clown.

 

[retinarob]

Others disagree with your pessimistic philosophy about the I.T. situation.
These Others have the actual I.T. information I'm interested in.
They are addressing this thing we call the Opening Post, otherwise known as the subject of the thread.

You are not.

I agree with him. Reading this thread, which you started, opens you up to public scrutiny and judgment. Especially on the internet where everyone has an opinion, and aren't afraid to express it. You can type, sure, but it doesn't seem like you can have an honest talk with your kid. Go ahead and destroy the trust you have in the relationship, if there is any. Encouraging sneakiness and lying is a slippery, slippery slope.

 

[glutenenvy]

Hi,
I'd like to prevent porn being viewed on my boy's ipod. How do I do this? Which is the best 'safe eyes' or 'net nanny' app for ipod?

First, good job for wanting to be a good parent.

Those net nanny type programs are good for small children that you have an eye on 100% of the time. They help you from needing to have 'the talk' due to some pop up on your computer.

For anyone that is old enough to not be under constant supervision, net nanny type blocking is likely going to be pointless. Like so many comments have already said, there is always some way around the blocking. It will come from somewhere else no matter what you try. When it is a young adult, the only thing a net nanny program can do is let the parent pretend they are blocking the porn. Think barber shop, friends house, school, 7-11, LIBRARY computer, free wifi, etc.

What you need is some good old fashioned engineering of the social kind. Ignoring laws and urges to poke your eyes out with a stick for arguments sake: When the teen googles up some porn the best way to stop it would be to have naked pictures of his parents come up. Or worse, being forced to watch the porn you want to prevent while you're commenting all the way through. This has more chance of working then to net nanny a teen bent on getting a porn fix.

Come to think of it, the first option may work on adults too.

You can try to live in a 'digital cave', or you could regularly talk with the child and routinely tell the child what you expect.

 

[mizzouxc]

I'm an American, and I honestly can't stand how conservative we as a country are.

It's not conservative, it's retarded.

Liberals are the ones who say those words can't be on the tests. Liberals are the ones who are against "evil corporations" --posted from iPhone 4S.

I mean now it's ok to "put up" with Gay marriage, but when someone speaks against it, they should have their first amendment rights taken away.

Don't get me started about multiple valedictorians, everyone's a winner, or participation medals. All brought about by Liberals.

The point is, what america is becoming isn't conservative at all. It's freaking retarded.

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Rather my kids see soft porn then a persons bloody head on a pike.

I like this. I don't quite get America's obsession with violence being ok, yet the naked human body being evil.

Also, there is NO way to prevent porn. They still make magazines he'll keep in a box in the back yard, between his mattresses, etc.

 

[ericrwalker]

Why see a bloody head on a pike after watching porn?

Would you care if he watched a bloody head on a pike first, then porn? Or only in the opposite order is acceptable?

Rather my kids see soft porn then a persons bloody head on a pike.

 

[eclipse]

You can type, sure, but it doesn't seem like you can have an honest talk with your kid.

All comments to this effect are character attacks without an ounce of justification. None of you know me or what I've been through with my boy, how I was his carer for 2 years when he had cancer as a kid, or how close we are, or the stuff we talk and joke about. Masturbation is not some great EVIL THING we cannot discuss! You're all really way off base. This is just such an OBVIOUS ploy to flame me and get a response so you all feel justified blabbing about everything you want to blab about, when we're here to discuss an I.T. problem.


Enough with the flaming, trolling character attacks, please.

 

[wywern209]

All comments to this effect are character attacks without an ounce of justification. None of you know me or what I've been through with my boy, how I was his carer for 2 years when he had cancer as a kid, or how close we are, or the stuff we talk and joke about. Masturbation is not some great EVIL THING we cannot discuss! You're all really way off base. This is just such an OBVIOUS ploy to flame me and get a response so you all feel justified blabbing about everything you want to blab about, when we're here to discuss an I.T. problem.


Enough with the flaming, trolling character attacks, please.

if all that is true and you and your son do have a very close relationship and you truly do trust him, then dont block it. If you have done that much for him and if you both have a relationship that close then isnt it better to have some faith and TRUST that he wont watch porn? Does your son currently watch hours upon hours of porn that you need to block it? if he does, then by all means block it thru domains, dns etc. otherwise this all sounds like a waste of time. you asked for an IT answer to an IT question. we told you it is pointless because no IT solution can do such a thing that cant be circumvented. the only way to do so is to remove your internet connection and always hover around him when with friends so he doesnt watch porn with them. my suggestion is that you talk to him about porn and your views on it and why you advise not watching it( not realistic depictions etc).

 

[eclipse]

if all that is true and you and your son do have a very close relationship and you truly do trust him, then dont block it. If you have done that much for him and if you both have a relationship that close then isnt it better to have some faith and TRUST that he wont watch porn? Does your son currently watch hours upon hours of porn that you need to block it? if he does, then by all means block it thru domains, dns etc. otherwise this all sounds like a waste of time. you asked for an IT answer to an IT question. we told you it is pointless because no IT solution can do such a thing that cant be circumvented. the only way to do so is to remove your internet connection and always hover around him when with friends so he doesnt watch porn with them. my suggestion is that you talk to him about porn and your views on it and why you advise not watching it( not realistic depictions etc).

I think you missed it:

This is just such an OBVIOUS ploy to flame me and get a response so you all feel justified blabbing about everything you want to blab about, when we're here to discuss an I.T. problem.

 

[darkplanets]

I think you missed it:

This is just such an OBVIOUS ploy to flame me and get a response so you all feel justified blabbing about everything you want to blab about, when we're here to discuss an I.T. problem.

Actually, you missed it. By a longshot. Your reading comprehension skills are lacking, that much is clear. As another user posted above, you brought the topic out in the open, and we are entitled to our opinions as are you. It's certainly not blabbing about what we want blab about, as you put it -- it's directly relevant to the core topic at hand, which is the consumption of pornographic media. Is it really that hard to understand?

I guess I need to break it down for you then. The impetus of the original query was an IT solution to a content viewing concern. You had issues about the content, and wanted a solution. Some of us proposed that the best solution would be to accept the content and discuss with your son, not employ a (flawed and impossible to be secure) IT solution. We rationalized said proposal through dispelling some of the negative myths about said media, which you clearly didn't read at all. I wrote a response to that, for sure.

Also, did you see my latest response? I answered your tech question, and then some -- no response on your end. The problem isn't us -- it's you. You refuse to hear other viewpoints and especially "IT solutions" that tell you that you're doing it the wrong way. All the answers have been given in this thread, and good ones at that. You're just behaving like a child with your ears plugged screaming at the top of your lungs.

If you want to talk about people spewing crap, look no further than your own senseless banter.

 

[Cobster]

For G sake..... Let the boy do what he wants... It is not like it is dangerous...

 

[twentyred]

The point about unrealistic scenarios amused me. I suppose this kid isn't allowed to watch any sci-fi movies then? I watched all kinds of pornography as a teenager (some of it was hilarious) and didn't feel even slightly disappointed when my girlfriends wouldn't cover themselves in butter and stand on their head with frogs on their breasts.

EDIT: Then again, I am British. We love porn.

 

[phr0ze]

....teaches young men that women SHOULD behave in a certain way. It ain't so....

Better keep him off Leave it to Beaver, Brady Bunch and other shows where the woman stays home to tend house. In fact any show, even today has one bias or another which isn't realistic or indicative of the whole. Get real.


Just use openDNS. Its free, easy, protects from other bad things, and it works on any router.

 

[darkplanets]

Just use openDNS. Its free, easy, protects from other bad things, and it works on any router.

I figure I might as well comment on this since my above post was ignored. As long as they're aware of the workarounds (my above post), this will work for http/https derived pornographic content that has already been listed in the content filters. OpenWrt is needed in combo however, otherwise it's completely worthless, not just slightly so.