What is "Kiosk Mode" and how does it work?

Kiosk Mode enables the PikLuk Browser to run in full screen mode. What this means is that the PikLuk Browser will take over your computer desktop and will not allow your child to accidentally access other applications or files on your computer. To exit the application, you click the "Close" button, as you normally would. The PikLuk Browser will then ask you, the parent, to enter your account password. This is the only way to exit the application under normal circumstances while in Kiosk Mode. If you forget your password, all is not lost. Simply hold down simultaneously the keys CTRL+ALT+HOME for 10 seconds and the application will exit, ignoring your password. Use this method as a fail-safe last resort.

What are the system requirements to run the PikLuk Browser?

The minimum requirements to run the PikLuk Browser are a computer with 1Gz or faster processor, with at least 256MB of RAM, running Windows XP or Windows Vista with Internet Explorer version 6.0 or higher. You will also need the latest version of Flash installed. You may additionally have to modify your firewall settings or virus protection program settings to permit the PikLuk Browser to reach the Internet. In most cases the last two requirements are not necessary.

How do I pick an email address for my child?

When you run the PikLuk Browser for the first time after allowing your child to have an email address, they will be presented with a dialog box which will ask them to select their own email address. You may supervise this step so as they may choose an email address that is easy for you and for them to remember. Remember, only the people whose email addresses you've added in the Parent Dashboard can email your child.

What is the purpose and meaning of the option "I absolutely trust this site"?

When you add a web link to your account for your children to view, by default your child will only be able to navigate to this site and not to other sites for which there may be links embedded. If you check the "I absolutely trust this site" option, you are allowing your child to also navigate away from the site you added, to other sites linked to it with embedded links. Only check this option if you are absolutely sure that the websites linked to this site are appropriate for your children. We cannot guarantee that they will be appropriate and therefore you should explore the site before checking this option. The benefit of checking this item is apparent when you add sites to your account which are "aggregators", that is, sites which primarily link to many other sites for children. An example would be a site that has many links to Flash games. Without this option checked, your child will not be able to access the linked Flash games.

The PikLuk Browser is not working correctly. What do I do?

The PikLuk Browser depends on Adobe Flash being installed on your computer. If it is not installed, please download it from within Microsoft's Internet Explorer, and by clicking here.

Can my child change his email address once he has selected it?

No. Once your child has selected an email address for his account, they may not change it. You can stop them from using email by unchecking the option on the PikLuk Dashboard allowing them to have it.

A website that my child likes does not display properly. What do I do?

Contact us and let us know, we will enable the site for you within 48 hours. No new download is required. As long as the website is appropriate and within PikLuk's Terms of Use, we will enable this site to be viewable for anyone interested in visiting it within the PikLuk Browser. Contact Us to let us know. Please include the URL of the website and if possible, a description of the behavior that is preventing your child from viewing this site.

I have added a site, but everywhere I click I get a 'Cannot go there' message". What do I do?

When you add a website that behaves this way within the PikLuk Browser, you must make sure you enable the "I absolutely trust this site" option. If that option does not fix the behavior, you should Contact Us. We will enable this website within 48 hours. No new download is required.

My child forgot his password for his child account. What do I do?

Log into the PikLuk Dashboard. Then go to the tab for the child who has been locked out of his account. Uncheck and check the option to allow him/her to have a password for their account. This will clear their old password and they can select a new one when they log back into the PikLuk Browser.

What prevents my child from closing the PikLuk Browser and launching another browser?

A feature we call Kiosk Mode. When this feature is checked in the parent Dashboard, the PikLuk Browser starts up in full screen. This means that we take over the desktop and your child cannot access any other part of your desktop. To exit the PikLuk Browser, you click the "Close" button as you normally would, and when prompted for a password, you enter your PikLuk User account password. This is the same password you use to login to the PikLuk Dashboard. If you are unable to remember your password, no worries, you can use the Super Secret key combination of CTRL+ALT+HOME and hold it for about 10 seconds. This is your spare key under the wheel well, but don't go telling your kids about it.

How do I log in as a different user from the PikLuk Browser?

To log in as a different user in the PikLuk Browser, you have to click the PikLuk Account Reset shortcut which was added to your main windows start menu during installation. When this shortcut is clicked, the previous user is logged out and all of their children's browsing history will also be discarded. The PikLuk Browser will launch again and ask you for your username and password.

How does the PikLuk Browser work?

The PikLuk Browser connects to one of our many servers to retreive your account information. Part of this information is the individual accounts you set up for your children. Everytime you make a change through the PikLuk Dashboard to your account, the changes are reflected in the next instance of the PikLuk Browser.

How do I select appropriate websites for my children?

You log into the PikLuk Dashboard using the username and password you chose when you signed up. Once logged in, you can add more websites by selecting the "Websites" tab, and clicking "Add Website". Enter as many websites as you'd like. Each newly added website is automatically added to each of your children's home pages when they launch the PikLuk Browser.

How do I add email addresses for people with whom my child can communicate?

You log into the PikLuk Dashboard using your username and password. Select the "Emails" tab. Click "Add an Email". You can add as many email addresses as you'd like. Each new email address is automatically authorized for use by any of your children. You can click on each check individually to turn off or on the email address for that child.

How many children can I add to my account?

As a free member, you may add at most only 1 child account. With the Premium Service subscription, there is no limit to the number of child accounts you can add. We highly recommend subscribing to a Premium Service account to enjoy the full benefits of the PikLuk Browser and Service.

Is my information and that of my children private?

Yes, your information and that of your children is never shared with any third party. The information you provided when you signed up is used to uniquely identify your account, however, it cannot be used to uniquely identify you in the scope of all users in the world. Furthermore, your childrens' information is intentionally vague so that there is no way to uniquely identify them either. We only ask for their gender, age, and a name, which can be fictional, to customize their PikLuk Browser home page and to select the appropriate age and gender specific user interface.

Can my children use the PikLuk Browser from multiple locations?

To enable your children to use the PikLuk Browser from say, their granparents' home, you simply download the PikLuk Browser at any new computer, then log in with your username and password. Your children accounts will travel with them wherever you and they go!