Many of the functions of Kidsnet are available from Kidsnet icon in your computers system tray or from the Kidsnet program group.  Following the instructions on how to access the Kidsnet settings is a short description of how the Kidsnet desktop icon and the Kidsnet system tray icon work.

1. Open the Kidsnet settings menu from the System Tray
   Right click, or double click, on the Kidsnet icon in the system tray (the lower right corner of your screen) . 

   The settings menu provides you options and settings for using Kidsnet.  When you are logged in as a parent you see a different list of available options than you do when logged in as a child or not logged in at all.  The available options are displayed with black text while the unavailable options are gray (i.e. grayed out). Options Account Manager - Choosing this option opens your browser to the account setup page of the Kidsnet Web site.  This is the place where you can add, modify, or delete accounts for your children (you can have a maximum of 6 child accounts).  This is also where you modify your children's settings to customize their Internet experience..
   Add-Remove Websites - This opens the Website manager that allows you override the master Kidsnet database.  Kidsnet has rated and reviewed Web sites that account for over 98% of all World Wide Web traffic.  Occasionally you may come across a site that you cannot access or one that you may wish to block.  The Website Manager allows you to do this. Help - Choosing this option opens your browser to the Kidsnet help Web page. Login - This brings up the login dialog box so you or your child can login to Kidsnet to begin your Internet experience. Logout - This logs the current user out of Kidsnet and prevents further access to the Internet. Change Login - This allows you to change the login from one user to another.  It logs out the current user and opens the login dialog box so a new user can login. Parental Over-ride - Only available when a child is logged in. It allows a parent the option of over-riding a rating in the master Kidsnet database. (click here for directions on how to use) Parents Resource Center - This option opens your browser to the Web page with links for parents to learn more about Internet Safety and information on issues concerning children's use of the Internet. Security Timeout - Choosing this option allows you to set the length of time before the timeout function activates.  The timeout function monitors keyboard and mouse activity and automatically logs off Kidsnet when there is no activity for the time specified.  This helps ensure a child does not accidentally gain un-supervised access to the Internet. Forgot Password - This option allows you to retrieve your password by answering the challenge question asked when you set up your account.  If you are logged in, you will not be able to access this option (as you must have known your password to login -- you can logout and then this option is available). Change Password - This option opens the change password dialog box and allows you to enter a new password.  This feature only works if you are successfully logged in as a parent. Upgrade - This feature is for future versions and will allow seamless installation of new Kidsnet software. About Kidsnet - Choosing this displays information about the version of Kidsnet you have installed as well as links to items on the Kidsnet Web site.

2. View the Kidsnet features and options by Opening the Kidsnet Program Group
   Click on the start icon in the lower left corner of your screen  .  Then go to Programs and then choose the program group (also called a folder) for Kidsnet. 
   
      
   
   The options in the box on the right are the same as if you access them from the system tray icon.  The only option that is in the program group that is not accessible from in the system tray icon is the uninstall option.  To uninstall you will need your parent ID and password.  This prevents a child from uninstalling Kidsnet and gaining un-supervised access to the Internet.
   
   Options
   Accounts Manager
   Add-Remove Websites
   Change Login
   Change Password
   Forgot Password
   Help
   Login
   Logout
   Parent Over-ride
   Parents Resource Center
   Security Timeout
   Uninstall Kidsnet
   Upgrade
   
    
3. Kidsnet Desktop Icon
   
   The Kidsnet Desktop Icon changes color depending on the current status.  If a parent is logged in the icon is green , showing the current user has full and unrestricted access to the Internet.  When a child is logged in the icon is blue , showing the current user has access only to the sections of the Internet that the parent allows.  If the icon is red , it indicates that no one is currently logged in to Kidsnet and no Internet access is allowed.
    
4. Kidsnet System Tray Icon
    

   The Kidsnet System Tray Icon allows the user to launch Kidsnet and open the Kidsnet log in box.  If the user is logged in, clicking on the Kidsnet icon on the desktop will log the current user out and open the log in box for a new or different user to log in.

   For additional assistance please click here to visit the Kidsnet Help Web page.

   Important note:  Many computers have programs (instant messenger, time synchronization, and others) automatically and continually attempt to connect to the Internet, even if there is no current Internet connection.  Any time a program attempts to connect to the Internet Kidsnet will start.  This is to prevent that program or application from reaching the Internet without going through the Kidsnet Parental Controls.

   top

Return to Kidsnet.com