Those who are not willing to spend big currencies on a laptop for their children might consider a low-cost Chromebook as an option, but could be a little tentative due to the OS’s lack of parental controls. But that could all amend though; thanks to the Google who is publicly starting to unveil parental controls in its Chrome web browser in the form of a fresh “Supervised Users” feature that is live now in the beta channel for initial testing in advance of its anticipated public launch.
The option permits a user, most probable a parent, to lock down the Chrome browser running on their laptop in order to permit and block access to definite websites, activate SafeSearch for refining Google search results, and preserve a history of the websites visited, amongst other things.
You need to basically add your child as a “supervised user” on Chrome, and you can perceive his or her browsing history and elect whether to permit or block some specific websites. He or she can also demand authorization to sight an obstructed website if required. Intent parties can go forward and can try this new feature now by downloading the beta version of Chrome on Linux, Mac and Windows. However, this feature would be more beneficial for a device with Chrome as its only web browser apparently.
The “Supervised Users” option has been in testing for some time. It was first dappled in the remote in December last year when developers discovered an option called “Managed User Settings” in Chrome’s Canary/Chromium build. Then this summer, the feature became more generally reachable to consumers of the Canary build, as it was competent to be switched on and off by making use of pair of flags.
However the option is accessible in the Chrome web browser, it is understandably designed keeping Chromebook users in mind – like those purchasing the new HP Chromebook 11 devices. On Chromebooks, the web browser is the operating system, so padlocking down how it acts can enhance the whole user experience.
Google had yet to publicly comment on its strategies with parental controls, though, till today. In a blog post, software engineer Pam Greene presented the “Supervised Users” option, connecting how she liked to sit down with her own daughter when browsing the Internet, but also required more tools to keep her family harmless.
Google says the Supervised Users setting will begin rolling out to users this week. Having just attempted to try it on the Chromebook 11, I found it hadn’t arrived just yet, but your mileage, as they say, may vary.
On Chromebooks, the option to make a Supervised User will be displayed on the main sign-in screen. You will click “Add user” to takeoff the “Sign In” dialog box, then click on “Create a Supervised User” on the right side. On Linux, Windows and Mac, PCs, though, the option to form the account will be available from the “Users” unit in the “Settings” menu.
