Project Description
Our children are increasingly connected to the Internet across multiple devices: tablets, phones, laptops, xbox, DS, wii, etc. Monitoring when our children have Internet access and what they access is an increasingly challenging problem for parents. Practically all platforms (Android, iOS, Windows, etc) have build-in or third-party parental control tools available. These tools have (at least) two limitations 1) they do not provide robust coordination across multiple devices and 2) they can be bypassed by a factory reset or using safe-mode (depending on the platform). Modern WiFi routers also include parental controls. These typically include basic website filtering (keyword) and simple blacklist/whitelists with their own limitations such as the inability to set different rules for different devices and having to deal with MAC addresses in clunky interfaces.
Project Goals
You’ve probably seen the image online of a note saying “Want today’s wifi password? 1) make your bed, 2) …” The goal of this project is to make this sort of system as easy as possible for the parent. Specifically, develop a kid-specific WiFi AP or router with strong parental controls that can be easily administered via the parent’s smartphone.
Impact
Parents rejoice. Kids have a consistent set of rules to access the Internet.
Constraints
Manage network access independently for at least 2 children. Each child will have their own independent schedule (e.g, M-Th 4pm – 8pm, F-Sat 10am – 10pm). Total access time can also be limited (e.g., 6 hours per week or 2 hours per day). Rolling (daily) access codes. A smartphone app that can easily enable, extend, or revoke access at any moment.
Resources
Negotiable
Licensing
Recommending GNU GPL.
Point of Contact
Prof. Alan Marchiori, Department of Computer Science
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