July 6, 2009

Web browsers targeting niche groups

Posted: 10:02 AM ET

The world of Web browsers - those programs that determine how you experience the Internet - is expanding to include tools for certain subsets of people.

Now there are browsers designed for specific demographics like children, autistic people and online social media users.

The kids' browsers help youngsters stay away from the darker corner of the Internet. They also can be set to limit a child's time online - a tool that might help some adults, too.

Here are a few to check out: Buddy Browser, Kid Rocket and KidZui.

Also check out this parents' guide to Internet safety, from NPR.

ZAC Browser is designed to help austistic people surf the Web more intuitively. It's visual instead of text based and tries to eliminate computer functions and visuals that an autistic person might find distracting.

And Flock, a browser built on Mozilla Firefox technology, is designed to help social media users get more out of the Internet. A new version beefs up the browser's compatability with Twitter and Facebook, VentureBeat says. Both of those social-networking sites live in a sidebar on the browser.

What do you think of these new ideas for browsers? Know any targeted browsers I've missed?

Posted by: John D. Sutter -- CNN.com writer/producer
Filed under: Web browsers

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Joe Dirt

July 6th, 2009 2:52 pm ET

Flock is a browser from Flock. It's build on top of mozilla technology.

wonde

July 6th, 2009 5:09 pm ET

You forgot to mention the KIDO'Z browser which is probably the most popular kids browser

Shane

July 6th, 2009 8:40 pm ET

Don't forget about the browser, Wyzo. It targets media users, and downloaders.

joshboulton

July 7th, 2009 2:52 am ET

I use Flock, although at sometimes it gets a little cluttered, I find it great so you can continue getting on with something and then just have a quick look at the latest Tweets or Facebook updates, without having to spend five minutes getting to the right site etc.

trena

July 7th, 2009 9:03 am ET

Any targeted to the healthcare industry?

Jae B.

July 7th, 2009 12:14 pm ET

I've been using Flock for years now, and it's my favorite browser ever. I'm loathe to use another at this point. It's like Firefox, but faster, more streamlined and more useful.

FryInk

July 9th, 2009 5:46 pm ET

If you use your browser for more than just email you will find Flock very useful.
I myself cannot use another browser for my social activities as any other is a pain to get done what it incorporates into one awesome app.

Unmatched and indispensable.

Get it, you will not regret it; unless of you find yourself too addicted to your online social life already!

Nicholas

July 12th, 2009 12:57 pm ET

I heard of the new Golf invention that is taking over the world called Groove Master. Anyone heard of it?

Aule Browsers

July 18th, 2009 9:51 am ET

We configure browsers for a variety of needs at http://www.aule-browser.com

Mompedia

September 11th, 2009 12:13 am ET

My two daughters LOVE KidZui... Great Product!
http://www.kidzui.com

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