TECHNOLOGY

Keeping Kids Safe Online: Microsoft's Browser Blocking Feature

Wed Jul 02 2025
Microsoft has been making waves with its Family Safety feature, which is designed to keep kids safe online. Lately, there have been some hiccups with this feature, especially when it comes to blocking non-Microsoft browsers like Google Chrome. The idea behind this feature is simple: parents can set Microsoft Edge as the default browser for their kids' PCs. If a parent or guardian approves, other browsers can be used. However, the latest versions of Chrome and other browsers have been sneaking past this block. Microsoft is aware of this and is working to update its blocklist to keep these browsers from launching without parental approval. In the meantime, some kids are experiencing a sudden shutdown when they try to launch Chrome or other browsers. This issue is more common when the Activity Reporting feature is turned off. To avoid this, parents can enable Activity Reporting in their Microsoft account. This isn't the first time tech companies have tried to create a safer online environment for kids. Google has similar parental features, showing that big tech is taking this responsibility seriously. While Microsoft's efforts are commendable, it's important to remember that no system is perfect. Parents should stay informed and involved in their children's online activities. After all, keeping kids safe online is a team effort.

questions

    Is Microsoft intentionally causing Chrome to crash to push users towards using Edge?
    What are the implications of relying on a single company's browser for children's online safety?
    How effective is Microsoft Family Safety's web filtering in protecting children from harmful content compared to other parental control tools?

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