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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Linux for Kids? (yall.theatl.social)

submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

120 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I'm thinking about building a desktop with one of my kids and I would really prefer to put Linux on it. My wife is not a fan of the idea, however.

I'm wondering are there any good Linux distros/utilities for children that include parental control features and things like that? And that are easy to use for a child who has only used basic Chromebooks in the past?

For reference the child is under 12.

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Personally, I'd use the router to limit access to locations and times. It's more reliable, easier to do, and lets you be less picky with your distro.

Using a DNS level content blocker like Adblock DNS is a great option, IMHO, and is super easy to setup.

(For the record, parent of 8 and 11 yr olds)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Which isn't a bad idea, but I'd still want some kind of parental controls like Android has to limit screen time. I don't need Netflix.com to be all or nothing, but I certainly don't want it to be four hours a day either.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Having your router limit internet connectivity time is effectively the same thing these days. There are some things they can do offline but not much anymore.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

That's exactly right. My kids' VLAN goes down at 8pm every night, and they are aware of it. So much so that they usually just shut down at around 7:30pm and start asking for dinner.

Evidently, I audit their network usage regularly and if I find anything concerning, I sit down with them and my wife and talk about it (have found 1 instance in which my boy was looking for pirated games for Linux, and my daughter was looking for "pranks for school and how not to get caught" 🤣).

All in all, I think we nerds have an easier shot at parenting than most people.