Net Nanny

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Content-control software

title: "Net Nanny" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["content-control-software", "internet-safety", "1995-software"] description: "Content-control software" topic_path: "general/content-control-software" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_Nanny" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Content-control software ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox software"]

Field	Value
name	Net Nanny
logo	NetNanny.jpg
logo size	64px
screenshot	NetNannySS.png
screenshot size	250px
caption	The Net Nanny 6 interface, shown on a computer running Windows XP.
developer	SafeToNet
latest_release_version	10.8.0
latest_release_date	September 2021
operating_system	Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, Fire OS
genre	Content Control
license	Proprietary EULA
website	Net Nanny Homepage
::

Net Nanny is a content-control software suite marketed primarily towards parents as a way to monitor and control their child's computer and phone activity.

Features

The original version of Net Nanny released in 1994 was a Software Application that could filter any characters typed, read, or received by the computer, along with IRC content, block images, and mask profanity. Modern versions allow complete remote administration of child devices through a web portal or parent applications. Some of the features offered are:

Allow or block usage of child devices using ad-hoc controls or through a schedule
Monitor and block Internet content in various categories
Create custom blacklists and whitelists for websites
Track search engine usage, enforce safe search, and receive warnings for flagged words
Place daily time limits on device use
Monitor and allow/block applications installed on devices
Track the location of mobile devices
Apply different rules for individual children

Web pages (including dynamic pages) are blocked by content rather than URL, even over HTTPS. This prevents children from accessing blocked websites through proxies.

History

Net Nanny was designed, created and founded by Gordon Ross in 1994 in Vancouver and moved to Bellevue, Washington in 2000. He became inspired to create an internet protection service for children, families and organizations, after viewing a sting operation on a pedophile soliciting a child online. In 1997, Net Nanny had sold 200,000 copies of its filter. In 1998, the company expanded its offerings beyond family protection when it launched BioPassword, a bio metric security access system based on technology it acquired from Stanford University. On November 14, 2002, Net Nanny filed for bankruptcy and was sold to BioNet Systems, LLC, a maker of bio metric security software in Issaquah, Washington. LookSmart Ltd, a commercial web search company based in San Francisco acquired Net Nanny for $5.3 million in stock and cash in April 2004.

In January 2007, Net Nanny was purchased by ContentWatch Inc and moved to Salt Lake City. The product line was expanded to include security and business-oriented solutions. Mobile browsers for iOS and Android were released in June 2012 at the Consumer Electronics Show. These also allowed parents to monitor and manage the applications on the phone. In 2013, Net Nanny Social was launched to allow parents to monitor their children's social media activity and to protect against cyber bullying, cyber stalking, grooming by sexual predators, and the spread of sensitive images and videos. Features were added to the desktop applications to help adults who wanted their internet content filtered. In May 2014, the Brooklyn Public Library chose Net Nanny to filter content and applications on its Android tablets to ensure compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act.

Zift, a digital parenting company, acquired Net Nanny from ContentWatch in 2016 and moved most operations to Philadelphia. In May 2019, Zift's applications were rebranded and launched as Net Nanny 10 for all supported platforms. In 2021, Net Nanny merged with SafeToNet, a British cyber-safety company headquartered in London.

Reception

Net Nanny was rated first by TopTenReviews.com in "Internet Filter Software" and fourth in "Parental Control Software" in 2017. PCMag also posted an online review stating that "Net Nanny is fully at home in the modern, multi-device world of parental control, and it still has the best content filtering around."

References

"How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online". CNMN Collection.
Stevens, Andrew. (March 1, 2013). "Net Nanny Watches Over Your Internet Browsing".
Munro, Kathryn. (January 8, 2001). "Net Nanny 4 monitors child's habits".
"Internet Safety with Net Nanny Content Filtering Software".
"These 3 Apps Can Help You Monitor Your Teens' Activities Online". Today.com.
"How Well Can Kids Get Past Parental Control Software?".
Rubenking, Neil. (June 3, 2011). "Get Net Nanny Free for a Year".
Lahey, Liam. (March 23, 2000). "Net Nanny Heads Stateside".
Bereznak, Alyssa. (2016-08-19). "Twitter’s New Tool Is Hardly the First Internet ‘Quality Filter’".
C. Chmielewski, Dawn. (2 August 1998). "Programs limit access to Web sites". Santa Ana Orange County Register.
Nelson, Matthew. (October 12, 1998). "Net Nanny takes security beyond passwords".
(November 14, 2002). "BioNet Systems, LLC Acquires the Assets of Net Nanny Software International, Inc. - Free Online Library".
(April 29, 2004). "BioNet sells Net Nanny for $5.3M".
"ContentWatch Inc. Acquires Net Nanny from LookSmart Ltd.".
"Internet Filtering Software for Business".
(January 10, 2012). "Net Nanny mobile helps keep kids safe and parents’ minds at ease".
Emigh, Jacqueline. (March 11, 2013). "Net Nanny iOS Browser to be Joined by Versions for Windows 8 and Maybe RT".
(August 8, 2012). "E FUN Partners With Net Nanny to Provide Internet Parental Controls on Nextbook Android Tablets".
Renouard, Chelynne. (April 24, 2013). "Net Nanny Social monitors, protects kids' online presence".
(July 31, 2013). "Net Nanny Offers New Service for Adults: Password Account Manager".
(May 8, 2014). "Net Nanny Helps Brooklyn Public Library Protect 1,000 Android Tablets from Inappropriate Web Content and Apps".
(May 10, 2019). "Zift is Now Part of Net Nanny".
"The Best Internet Filter Software".
"Best Parental Control Software".
"ContentWatch Net Nanny 7". PC Magazine.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::