Age-based Sensitivity Levels
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Age-Based Sensitivity Levels
Covenant Eyes uses a proprietary technique of analyzing each website, and so is able to establish age-based criteria for filtering. Most filters cannot do this because they either depend on a blacklist or they cannot analyze individual websites. For instance, MySpace provides websites for a wide variety of uses including everything from church-related information to obscene material. Another example is the ebay site, which offers a multitude of good things, but also offers pornographic material with vivid images on the page view. Covenant Eyes provides the only effective means of analyzing each of these sites for content, and then filters based on age-appropriate criteria.
These age-appropriate criteria are translated into "scores" for each website, and the proprietary scoring database is updated daily. The following is an outline of the types of sites that are blocked based on age.
Though we use the phrase "age-based sensitivity levels," there may certainly be some instances where an adult would want a six-year-old's level of protection; while the criteria are age-based, the "sensitivity levels" of the Covenant Eyes filter are also designed so that each Filter Guardian can select appropriate levels of sensitivity for those on the account. The ages discussed below are for guideline purposes only.
The administrator ("Filter Guardian") is permitted to change the sensitivity level at any time, based on his/her own criteria. The Filter Guardian may also establish other configurations, such as time controls (time of day and/or total time on the Internet), protocol blocking, etc.
Scores of 15 or above:
Objectionable ("Highly Questionable" or "Highly Mature") sites (those which the Covenant Eyes proprietary scoring algorithm determines to be generally objectionable for all ages) will be blocked at all levels of the Covenant Eyes Filter.
Scores of 10 to 14:
"Somewhat Mature" or "Somewhat Questionable" sites are adult or mature sites that would generally be considered objectionable for minors. For example, most sites where models are used to sell lingerie or swimwear would fall into this range. Also, many non-objectionable social networking sites, some graphic medical sites, and some image searches, etc., also have mature material and would fall into this range. Two levels of sensitivity are included in this range, providing progressively greater restriction.
Scores below 10:
There are three age groups considered for sensitivity levels of sites scoring below 10, as follows:
- Ages 9 to adult:
Generally falling in the score range of 7 to 9, these are sites that most people would not want an eight-year-old to see, or sites that easily link to such material, even though these sites may not include objectionable images per se. For example, this would include sites that offer mildly suggestive images or somewhat suggestive language, many dating and personal sites, auctions of adult material, many sites dealing with illegal drug usage and violence, hate sites, sites with adult jokes, gambling sites, access to online chat rooms, or which allow users to download chat software that enables the online posting and receiving of real-time messages. Generally, sites that discuss problems of pornography addiction or how to deal effectively with such addictions would also fall into this category. Two levels of sensitivity provide progressively greater restriction within this range. The default setting of the filter is at the most sensitive setting of this range, so that the default setting is designed to provide filtering appropriate for an eight-year-old.
- Ages 6 through 8:
Scoring in the range from 1 to 6, these sites would generally be considered objectionable for a child five years old, but not necessarily for a six- to eight-year-old. This would include sites having a broad range of personal advertisements, including mention of recreational drug use, online purchases, weapons sites, sites with modest profanity, modestly suggestive clothing ads, many entertainment sites, a number of movie listings, local entertainment guides, most internet game sites, message boards, many news sites, most medical sites, many personal info sites, text and image searches (based not only on search terms, but on resultant pages), sports sites, etc. Three levels of sensitivity within this range offer flexibility depending on the Filter Guardian's judgment.
- Ages below 6:
Scoring at zero, this is the most sensitive setting. At this setting any site scoring more than zero would be blocked, and so it is the best setting for children younger than 6.
Filter Guardians may select one of the above sensitivity levels, but it is recommended for very young children that parents/guardians establish a "white list" instead. Covenant Eyes allows the Filter Guardian to provide a list of sites as the ONLY sites that may be visited.
For additional information please Contact Us.
Last updated: 2008-02-06