Configure Windows 8 for the little ones in the house

At home, a Windows 8 computer can be used by anyone, regardless of age and computer skills. In case you want to allow access to the smallest members of the house, parents can configure the Windows 8 parental protection for each of them, so in such a way that the use they make is controlled, the Internet sites they access and the information they share in each one of them.

The idea of ​​the child control system that Microsoft has implemented in Windows 8 is for parents to be calm when the little ones in the house are in front of the computer, even when there is no one in the house with knowledge IT.

Main features and advantages of the parental control system in Windows 8

The approach to parental control in Windows 8 is completely new. In previous versions of Windows, it was based on filters to allow or prohibit access to certain websites, while in the current version of the system, in Windows 8, the parental control system is based on monitoring of user activity

This approach based on monitoring user activity makes the parental control system much easier to configure, with just a few steps to create an account for the little one in the house and set it up on going. You can also add restrictions for the user such as the following:

• Web filtering, to limit access to certain sites with inappropriate content.
• Safe search "SafeSearch", so that search results do not show content inappropriate for minors.
• Limit the time of use of the PC, leaving it blocked after reaching the established maximum.
• Limit apps downloaded from the Windows Store based on recommended age.

Creating an account with Family Safety in Windows 8 is very easy

To create an account with Child Protection in Windows 8, you must access the configuration section and click on the option "Users". By clicking on the "Add a user" option, the screen will appear where you can create a user and activate the "Child Protection" functionality. This can be done for one of the kids in the house and so each one will have their own personalized account.

Once the account to which you want to apply parental control has been created, in the "Control Panel", you can configure the level of control that will be will have on the account This setting can also be done through the parental control website that is enabled for the Microsoft account.

Recommendations for setting up a Windows 8 account for children

If you want to create an account for a child to use Windows 8, it is recommended that the parents access as administrators of the machine and that the children have a separate account, with the parental control mark activated. In this way, the minor will not be able to access her parents' email, accounts in online services and local or cloud documents.

In addition, all the configurations that are made in the minor's account will only affect it, being able to change the wallpaper and put their favorite cartoon character without affecting the account of any adult.By having a protected account with parental control, the child will be safe from malware, since the system will not let them install any application of dubious origin.

Additionally, deeper control of a child user's account can be established through the Windows 8 parental control system, which automatically generates the report weekly activity This report contains a summary of the sites the user has visited, the number of pages viewed on each site, the hours spent each day in front of the computer, the searches performed , the games and apps you run and download from the Windows Store.

The report is interactive, allowing access to the details of each category and the filtering configuration and activation or deactivation of content or application filtering functionalities. The report is sent weekly to the parents' email and, through a Microsoft account, it can be viewed online on the Microsoft parental control website.From this website, you can also access the parental control settings for a user and make changes to them.

In Welcome to Windows 8 | The revolution of users in the cloud of Windows 8