IMSafer.com - Start Protecting Your Child

With the advent of online chat programs and social networks such as MySpace also comes the danger of unwelcome attention, particularly for children. IMSafer has recently created a service which works in conjunction with your child’s chat software to identify potential predators. IMSafer operates on both (Windows Vista and XP, and Mac OS X), and across a variety of chat software (Microsoft, MySpace, Yahoo, AOL, ICQ, to name just a few). Plans are already underway to expand compatibility to Google Talk and Skype. Basically, IMSafer seeks out threats by “flagging” predetermined words and phrases. The software can even identify slang and internet jargon; gerunds replaced with “n’”, for example, do not throw off this crafty application. Concerned parents can also create an account on the site to exchange information with other worried individuals. Both registration and the download are free. Want more? Check out their on-site blog.

“IMSafer monitors the instant messenger conversations of your children to help you balance protecting your children and respecting their privacy. The IMSafer service will only notify you when your child is engaged in a potentially dangerous conversation on IM.

At IMSafer, we have worked with law enforcement officials to learn how potential predators initiate, develop and maintain inappropriate online relationships with children. We are always working to fine tune and update our analysis engine.”

One of the first of its kind, IMSafer seems like it will be an invaluable tool in helping children stay away from internet predators. In particular, its ability to identify slang, abbreviations, and juvenile internet jargon will prove indispensable in the quest to stop online abuse.

It’s true that IMSafer could be an important tool for the identification of threatening internet chat exchanges, but is this application really attacking the root of the problem? What about adding a feature which can identify the IP address and location of the potential predator?