This has gotten to be the number one question I get from parents, "How can I limit the time my kids spend on the computer, and what can I do to help keep them safe while on the Internet?"

Lets face it, some kids will stay on a computer all day and all night if you let them. Specifying the times that a user can logon to a PC can be quite helpful, especially in cases such as limiting your child's access to the computer.

Windows Vista and the newer Windows 7 Operating system allows you to do this via the Parental Controls built in to the software, but your options are still somewhat limited, and with Windows XP and earlier operating systems this is even more difficult.

I have evaluated several software offerings over the years and have found a solution that is both effective and easily managed.

First on my list is NetNanny. Available for Windows and Mac platforms it is a very powerful and flexible parential-controls solution that includes many features not found in any of its competitors. The recent edition of the Social Networking control is an exciting and much needed feature and is now exclusive to the NetNanny Software. When enabled it gives the parent access to any Facebook profile opened on the home computer.

If you are concerned your child may be spending too much time online or playing games -- or you do not want him/her to use your PC when you're either asleep or away from home -- this type of software offers a solution. Combine this with my article Help keep your kids safe on the Internet which discusses using hardware Internet filtering and you now have a comprehensive solution for Internet security.