Content categories define the types of content found on websites and online activities. You can allow or block content categories in Parental Controls to restrict what your child can see and do online.
This lets you block or allow certain websites and activities for specific users in your home, based on the type of content the websites contain. To learn how to allow or block a specific content category in Parental Controls, read Allow a content category and Block a content category.
| Category | Website description |
|---|---|
| Adult | Contains images of nudity (this includes pornographic materials and classical art), erotic stories, or sexual education materials. |
| Anonymizers | Lets users bypass security filtering and policies by hiding a PC's IP address and other personal identification information. |
| Chat or Instant Messaging | Provides users with real-time social messaging in chat rooms. Instant messaging uses software for real-time communication over a network and sometimes includes a feature that allows users to transfer files. |
| Dating | Provides a network for online dating, matchmaking, escort services, or introductions to potential spouses. These websites facilitate interaction among their members through real-time communication, message posting, public bulletins, and media sharing. |
| Drugs, Alcohol, or Tobacco | Advocates the use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products. |
| File Sharing | Allows users to exchange files between PCs and users for business or personal use. For example, users can use a file-sharing website to exchange music files. |
| Gambling | Allows users to place bets online or download software for online betting, for example, casino games or betting pools. It also includes websites with information relevant to gambling; for example, links to gambling websites or tips. |
| Games | Offers online games and information related to game cheats, codes, demos, emulators, online contests, or role-playing games. Video game consoles like X-Box are included in this category. |
| Hate or Discrimination | Advocates or encourages the oppression of a specific group of individuals based on race, religion, nationality, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation. |
| Historical Revisionism | Offers different interpretations of significant historical facts, such as denial of the Holocaust. Sometimes websites include misinformation specifically for political purposes. |
| Kid Safe Websites | Offers family-safe content. Websites in this category, like www.disney.go.com, are designed specifically for children. |
| Malicious Sites | Provides instructions to commit illegal activities or encourage crime that is computer related. For example, a website that offers information to pirate or illegally distribute software or electronic media. |
| Multimedia or Streaming | Provides software or continuous access to audio or video streaming. Websites in this category might also allow users to upload, search for, and share media files such as videos and photos. |
| Profanity | Contains crude, vulgar, and obcene language or gestures. |
| School Cheating | Promotes plagiarism or cheating by providing free or fee-based term papers, written essays or exam answers. |
| Shareware or Freeware | Contains repositories where a user can download copies of shareware or freeware. |
| Shopping or Auctions | Allows users to buy products or services online. |
| Social Networking | Enables social networking for dating, friendship, professional reasons, and other purposes. A social networking site facilitates interaction between its members with features such as real-time communication, message posting, public bulletins, and media sharing. |
| Weapons or Violence | Contains content that is gory, horrific, or shocking. Websites in this category can contain images or text that portray physical assaults against humans or animals. These websites might also provide information about buying, making, or using weapons, ammunition, and explosives. |
| Miscellaneous | Contains all websites that do not fall into any of the other categories. |