Browsers: TUKI Browser for Kids
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: child, security, safety | Themes: Software
- 1. Kid Tested, Tom’s Guide Approved
- 2. Browsers: KidZui
- 3. Browsers: KidRocket
- 4. Browsers: Glubble
- 5. Browsers: TUKI Browser for Kids
- 6. Streaming Content and Activities: ZuiTube
5. Browsers: TUKI Browser for Kids
“The Ultimate Kids’ Internet”
Cost: Free for basic membership, $97 for one year per child for primo membership, and $195 for one year and up to five child primo memberships
This browser–as great as it is–is not supported by Mac. So all you Mac users can skip this part. Also, if it is your first time visiting the Tuki Website, you’ll instantly notice the cheap “make money” designed landing page, prompting you for an email address before you can download the free version.
But these hiccups aside, we were impressed by the heart and dedication put into this little browser. After a five-minute download and agreement to terms, users are asked to register for an account online. It took two minutes or so for the account to be created, while the most difficult part of the process is finding unique names for each of the kids (many obvious choices have already been taken).
Once everything was set up, the real fun could begin. Children can dive right into the offerings of Club Tuki by visiting sites, watching videos, mixing music, or sending messages from within the Tuki portal. For each suggested activity that a child completes, he or she can earn “Moola” that can later be used to bid on real Tuki auctions. Prizes include DVDs, toys, and music, but the physical (rather than virtual) prizes are only available to paid members. In addition, several non-traditional interest sites are available to kids, like the NBA’s official site and Starwars.com. When a child tries to access a non-approved site, either by typing the URL directly or by searching for it, a page comes up letting the child know to ask his or her parents to add it to the “approve list.”
The email interface is easy to use, letting kids select from anyone on the parent-created approved contact list that they would like to email. They can attach photos, videos, or any other standard attachment, as well. We also really enjoyed some of the more family-interactive features of the cartoon host, who spoke to the children during their Web browsing. Through the parent administration portal, it was possible to set verbal cues to kids throughout their browsing time, such as chore-list reminders and general notes of encouragement.
Unlike other browsers we tested, it was rather simple to exit this kids’ browser and get on to other areas of the computer (something that could be an issue with smaller or more curious children.) Since many of the features of Tuki that we really would have liked to explore further were available through the premium membership only (the tutoring module for example), it really works best as a basic resource library instead of a truly “safe” browsing experience.
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Nicely written-- I like seeing Tom's branch out into a variety of interest areas, even if they arent thrilling.
What i miss in this topic is, how does the Microsoft Parenting control stand out to these programs.
I hope the 12 year olds read this after they get back from school.
What i miss in this topic is, how does the Microsoft Parenting control stand out to these programs.
Thanks for the question mkrijt. Linsey Knerl offers these comments about Windows and other OS parent control tools: "While they had some good features, (like site blocking, permissions requests, time-limits, etc.) it was hard to integrate over several different computers. It also didn't lock down the browser so kids couldn't escape and mess up your desktop folders.
One major complaint to the operating-system based tools that Apple and Microsoft offer, is that they want to tie everything back into your Windows Live or Apple accounts. (So if my 3-year-old wants to have a special collection of websites that he can access on our computer, I'd have to set him up for a Windows account that the computer can access and associate with his preferences.) I'm not a huge fan of having to have my kids set up as "accounts", which is why I like the independently-developed tools. They usually just need me to assign a name and password for my kid, and it isn't stored in my PC.
Another disadvantage to the OS based options is that they aren't practical for multiple environments. Let's say little Johnny has security settings at home all set up, but then wants to go to Grandma's to play games. I'd have to go to Grandma's and find out how her operating system works, and if it isn't the same as what we have, I'd have to reset all the settings on her system. (A lot of work.) With independent browsers, we just download on Grandma's PC, and the web-based settings automatically take effect.
Basically, there's no easy way to use the OS based browsers between machines that are not using the same OS."
Wonderful article. very objective and informative. Thanks for writing it. Good articles like this give me hope for Toms... it's almost funny to me that before I knew who wrote this I assumed it wasn't Marcus Yam because it was actually helpful and intelligent. Linsey Knerl FTW
If children at the age of 3 know those words already then they need more help than what software can do.
But anyways it's not like young kids enjoy watching porn or anything like that. Most kids don't go on very many sites, and site blockers are probably the worst thing ever created. At school we can't even use google images on school projects.
Wouldn't OpenDNS be better for blocking sites? It does so at the "source" rather than having to install a program on everyone's machines. I block all DNS queries and then explicitly allow OpenDNS servers with filtering set to moderate. Works like a charm, no adult content for anyone using anything on my internet connection. And it's FREE for home users!!!
The internet is a place for adults. Do you leave your child in a room with an adult you do not know?
DON'T leave the child alone on the net.
Nice article, it would be a nice thing to do for every OS in the market to adopt the tendency of adding one of these browsers as option for the little ones.
Most parents are not really aware of what internet means, just because they don't care about the non-4child content, or because they doesn't realize about how dangerous for a growing mind that content could be.
Many of us surfers of the web we actually don't pay attention to the stupid propaganda, sex adds and all that crap, because most of us know that those links will probably end up in some weird site asking for personal data, etc.. etc.. etc.. KIDS CAN NOT TELL IF IT'S GOOD OR BAD! THEY JUST CLICK ON IT.