Symantec has launched a public beta version of a new service designed to let parents keep an eye on their kids’ online activities even when the parents aren’t home.

The NOF mascott: Also still in beta; not yet named.

The company describes Norton Online Family (NOF) as, “…a new online safety service for your family that lets you check in on what each child in your family is doing online, no matter where you are. It’s easy to set up, access, and use. You can see which sites each child visits, how long they spend there, and how long they’ve been online. You can also set limits on what websites each child can visit, what terms they can’t search, who they can talk to, and how long they can be online.”

The system gives parents instant email notification of any of the rules or limits they set for their kids’ Internet activity are breached.

“You’ll know instantly, in time to do something about it,” Symanyec says.

Parents can sign on to participate in the Norton Family Online beta program here.