Computers can be a great learning tool for kids today, but at the same time they can also be a source of distraction, and even danger, when not properly monitored.

Which is why so many parents want to know how to set computer time limits for their kids.

Whether it's keeping the kids off the computer after bed time, or when mom and dad are working, or even minimizing the use of computer games when it should be study time, setting computer time limits can be very useful.

Unfortunately, kids today are often more computer savvy than their parents, which is why free or cheap downloads that promise to offer computer time limits aren't often helpful. It doesn't take long for smart kids to figure them out, and to figure out how to get around them.

This is why parental control software is so useful for busy parents. With good quality parental controls moms and dads don't have to wonder whether or not their kids are misusing the computer when they shouldn't be.

Parental controls also offers parents a multitude of online safety features, like website monitoring, website blocking, Instant Message and chat monitoring and blocking, and email monitoring.

Some of them even allow parents to control Internet use while the computer is still running, so kids can work on a homework project or something similar without being tempted to play online games or to chat on Facebook.

For parents interested in parental controls that offer computer time limits, be sure to make sure that the program you select clearly offers this feature, and includes a good security system that makes it hard to uninstall or get around.

We suggest you take a look at CyberPatrol, and our favorite this year, WebWatcher.

They both offer parents a convenient means of setting computer time limits, along with all of those nifty tools that make parental control software so popular with smart parents.