IMSafer - Protect Your Children

IMSafer monitors your child's Instant Messenger conversations and notifies you by email if messages involve content that may not be healthy. This is not just a vulgarity filter, it runs through an analysis engine that is looking for content that resembles how predators initiate contact or maintain relationships with your children online. While still maintaining your child's privacy, it is always watching for warning signs. There is an explanation of how it works and what it does here.
child predators, safety, pedophile, pedophilia, online, aim

Meebo.com - Instant Messaging Everywhere

Meebo.com is a browser base instant messenger client that allows you to connect to AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ, and Jabber. This site is great when you are on a computer that you can't download or install software on or if your workplace monitors your instant messaging. It uses your current buddy lists and username. It even lets you sign on invisible, so you can chose who knows you're online.

Pidgin - Instant Messenger

Pidgin (formerly Gaim) is a multi-protocol messenger client from Sourceforge.net. This is a great replacement for AOL Instant Messenger. You keep your AIM username and buddy lists. Sure the AIM software is free, but this has no ads and no annoyances. You can even use it for Yahoo! Messenger, ICQ, MSN, IRC, Jabber... Compare to trillian, aim, aol, openride, im