Internet Filtering on Ubuntu is it available

While Firefox has extensions that help with this, they can be disabled quite easily - or a smart child can open, or install, a different browser. Therefore, this should probably be done at the system level. http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=843510 is a HOWTO on Parental Control, and explains how to install WebContentControl -- a parental control GUI. I haven't used it, so I don't know how easy it is to use.

You could also consider OpenDNS (sign up for a free-of-charge account). Your Internet connection is most likely going to have a dynamic IP address, not fixed, so you'll need to follow the steps at:
http://www.opendns.com/support/dynamic_ip/
After you 'check the box to "Enable dynamic IP update', you can visit the Parental Controls section and choose the appropriate level of safety for your children.

To keep updating your OpenDNS account with your latest IP address, you can use ddclient, as mentioned at http://www.opendns.com/support/article/192 ... http://sourceforge.net/apps/trac/ddclient/wiki has more information on how to install it, but remember to take the configuration file contents from the OpenDNS support page I've linked to first in this paragraph (naturally, change the login name and password in the configuration file to that you have set for your OpenDNS account).

Finally, change Ubuntu's networking settings to use OpenDNS settings, as described at https://store.opendns.com/setup/operatingsystem/ubuntu

To change the parental control settings for your own browsing, you'll have to log in to the OpenDNS account and turn off the Parental Controls, then re-enable them when you're done surfing.

Naturally, to ensure your children can't easily get at administrative tools, or view your own browser history, you'll need to create a separate Desktop User (not Administrator) user account for them (or for each of them).

Do let us know how either solution works for you, and what you prefer, and why.

Hope this helps!

If you want a full-fledge UTM device with additional filtering capability - you could try installing pfsense, untangle, or ebox. That if you have an unused desktop to serve as a dedicated firewall/UTM device.

HTH.

     You don't say how old your children are, though,. there is an add-on called WOT (Web Of Trust) that works well for younger children, and it also helps avoid sites that don't respect your privacy (perhaps sell your information or whatever). It's a lot easier to get set up, at least.

Louise, did any of the information in this Q&A thread help with your problem? If not, did you find some other solution? Please share with the rest of the community if your problem was solved, so the rest of us gain some knowledge too.

Thanks,
Ed.