Program/Project
Description
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The focus of SurfMonkey.com is to create and integrate leading-edge technologies to provide a safe, easy environment for kids to learn and have fun on the Internet. SurfMonkey.com is the first company to design a complete, safe Web browser exclusively for kids. The all-in-one browser offers a comprehensive site directory, search engine, multimedia e-mail, cartoon chat rooms, and kids' entertainment. Enabled with SurfWatch filtering (the leading filtering technology) and an extensive network of safety features, Surf Monkey offers parents flexible controls to protect their kids from inappropriate content in cyberspace.
The animated Surf Monkey character transports kids safely into the world of cyberspace exploration on a "Rocketship" browser, offering tips and tricks designed to entertain and amuse during their journeys. Cybot, the animated talking robot bodyguard, enforces all security features and serves as the safety marshal during Internet journeys. Cybot checks the list of inappropriate sites, updated frequently, then appears on screen to inform the user: "This site is blocked by SurfWatch." The browser also features a proprietary in-page profanity filter, which checks all words on approved sites and blocks out profanity on the fly.
Other safety features are built into the multimedia e-mail as well as the cartoon chat rooms. Within the e-mail function, parents can designate from whom their child reads e-mails. This feature ensures that children are only allowed to read mail from people who have been placed on an "Approved Buddy List" by their parents. This means that it not only protects them from strangers, but also blocks most junk mail or SPAM. In addition, Surf Monkey e-mail features the proprietary in-page profanity filter.
Chat, which can be the most entertaining and yet most challenging area of kids' Internet safety, combines state-of-the-art technical features with live monitoring. The interactive, comic-book
environment is only available at certain times, only to authenticated Surf Monkey members, and is monitored by behind-the-scenes chat room supervisors. In-page filtering blocks
profanity and kids are immediately ejected from the chat rooms for using inappropriate words. Parents have the option to turn off chat entirely if they choose.
The company also works closely with the Children's Advertising Review Unit to make sure that any ads appearing on the browser are clearly identified and suitable for children. The company enforces a privacy policy and does not collect, store, or distribute any sensitive information about its customers (KIDS!).
The Surf Monkey Browser is available for free on CD-ROM or by downloading it from www.surfmonkey.com.
In August 1999 the company began to introduce a complete family of Internet-safe products, including the Surf Monkey Kids Channel and the Surf Monkey Bar, a toolbar for use with Internet Explorer.
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Key Highlights/
Milestones
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Over the last year, SurfMonkey.com reached a number of major milestones with customers, technology partners, and investors alike:
- In June 1999, the Surf Monkey Browser celebrated its one-year anniversary, and as testament to its popularity, was recently featured in Intel's Pentium III national television campaign.
- Also in June, SurfMonkey.com completed its second round of funding.
- SurfMonkey.com has support from major industry leaders, such as Microsoft, Sony, and Intel.
- By the end of Summer 1999, SurfMonkey.com will have become an international presence with operations in Europe.
- On Aug. 30, 1999, SurfMonkey.com introduced Surf Monkey Kids Channel and Surf Monkey Bar, two new kid-safe Internet products.
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