Child-oriented computing system

Abstract

A child-oriented browsing system is provided wherein the system is implemented using a piece of client software, executing on the computing device of a child, and a website/server that manages the client software and other functions of the child-oriented browsing system.

1 . A child-oriented system, comprising:
 a piece of software downloadable to a computing device of a user, the software being executed by a processing unit of the computing device to generate a child-oriented browser user interface;   a management unit, connectable to the computing device over a network, the management unit further comprising a store containing one or more categories of content approved for consumption by the child wherein the content approved for consumption is downloaded to the software as the child browses using the browser user interface; and   the browser user interface further comprising a zoomable user interface wherein a selected item is magnified and located centrally in the browser user interface and an unselected item is zoomed out and located around the periphery of the browser user interface.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the content approved for consumption by the child further comprises a plurality of websites, a plurality of videos and a plurality of images. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each content approved for consumption by the child further comprises a piece of content that has been approved by a third party. 
   
   
       4 . A system comprising:
 a computing device coupled to a management device via a network;   the management device coupled to a content providing network;   the computing device generating a content request and sending the content request to the management device;   the management device including a database of approved content requests and providing content in response to the content request when the content request is approved.   
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the content providing network is the internet. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the computing device further includes a custom browser for generating the content request. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the management device is a network server. 
   
   
       8 . A method of providing content comprising:
 generating a content request at a user computing device;   sending the content request to a management device;   using the management device to compare the content request to a database of approved content requests;   using the management device to access content of the content requests when the content request is approved.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the management device accesses the content of the content request by retrieving the content from the internet. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the management device accesses the content of the content request by retrieving the content from a local database. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the database of approved content may be modified by a user. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the user computing device includes a custom browser.