1) What do Network-based Kids Safe and Homework Time protect against?

Kids Safe helps to protect anyone using your home broadband connection from seeing and using certain types of websites that you specify. Homework Time blocks social networking sites and games websites during a time of day which you can specify, either 7 days a week or Monday to Friday.

2) I have different-aged children in my home; can I have different settings for different ages?

Due to the way the service works, it provides a single group of settings across any device connected to your home broadband at the time. However, you can change the settings whenever you choose, and customise the settings as you see fit for whatever you believe provides the best balance of protection for your whole family.

3) What categories are blocked by default?

The default setting is Off, i.e. no blocking.

4) What is needed for me to authorise, or block, a website my child visits?

You need to register for and use your TalkTalk MyAccount. Go to www.myaccount.talktalk.co.uk to do this if you haven't already. Once registered, log into MyAccount, and select HomeSafe This will lead you to the Kids Safe and Homework Times settings. Click on these and follow the instructions to set up your blocking profile. You can return to MyAccount to change this as often as you wish.

5) How frequently do you review which websites are in which category?

New websites are categorised daily. We also react appropriately to any feedback we receive from customers.

6) What if I find a website which I think should fall into a blocked category; will you add it?

You can provide feedback to us in MyAccount regarding a website which you think should be blocked. Following such feedback we will review the website and add it to the relevant blocked category if appropriate.

7) Does Kids Safe prevent, or warn the child or parent against Cyber-bullying or Cyber-grooming or any form of Cyber-abuse?

Kids Safe filters whole websites rather than individual messages. Kids Safe is just one way to help keep your children safer online. For more information on overall internet safety for parents you can download our Brighter Sparks Guide.

8) Can I add websites that I personally feel are inappropriate to the Kids Safe Block list for my household/child?

Yes, you can add up to nine websites to your own custom list.

9) What will my child be presented with, on screen, when they attempt to access a site that is categorised as inappropriate or blocked by Homework Time?

They will see a TalkTalk-branded blocking page.

10) What options will a child have when presented with the blocking page?

They can go back to the previous page, or ask you to assist by going to MyAccount and changing the blocking settings if you feel it is appropriate.

11) Will I be informed that my child has attempted to get access to a website, and subsequently blocked?

No. However they won't be able to progress without your intervention.

12) Can Kids Safe or Homework Time be switched off either temporarily, or permanently?

Yes. You can switch if off in MyAccount.

13) Will Kids Safe or Homework Time filter web browsing using other (non PC) devices such as Wii Internet Browser, Xbox, Live chat or streaming content such as iPlayer etc?

If using such services involves a browser session to a public website, then such browsing will be filtered.

14) Does Kids Safe prevent, detect or clean malware or viruses on my PC?

No. Kids Safe provides a webpage blocking facility. We offer the Super Secure Boost for the purpose of helping to protect up to three computers from viruses and other malicious software.

15) Will Kids Safe or Homework Time prevent 100% of all inappropriate websites from being requested and displayed to my children?

Unfortunately no system is 100% perfect but we believe that Kids Safe and Homework Time are a unique way to help protect your family from inappropriate websites.

16) Will Kids Safe stop websites appearing in Search Engines, e.g. if I block Pornography, will I still be able to search for and find sexual-related links/images in Google?

Kids Safe simply blocks the categories of webpages themselves - it does not block all references to the pages from elsewhere on the internet. However, some search engines offer their own filtering controls.