If you have kids using phones, tablets, gaming systems, or smart TVs, setting up parental controls on your home network is one of the smartest things you can do. Kids today have access to more content than ever, and not all of it is safe or appropriate. Parental controls let you manage what your children can access online, set time limits, block dangerous sites, and keep your home network safer overall.
A lot of parents don’t set these features up because they think it’s too complicated, but once you understand the basics, it’s pretty simple. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to set up parental controls and what tools actually work.
Use Your Router’s Built-In Parental Controls
Most modern routers come with parental control settings you can access by logging into the router. These tools let you manage what each device on the network can do. That means you can block websites or apps on your kids’ devices without affecting your own.
Common features include:
• Website blocking
• Content filtering (adult content, gambling, violence, etc.)
• Time limits for Wi-Fi usage
• Device schedules (e.g., no internet after 9 PM)
• Blocking specific apps or services
• Pausing the internet on certain devices anytime you want
Every router brand is a little different, but most have a “Parental Controls” or “Family” section in the settings.
Set Up DNS Filtering
DNS filtering is one of the easiest ways to block unsafe or inappropriate content. Instead of checking every individual site, DNS filtering automatically stops access to dangerous websites at the network level.
Popular DNS filtering options include:
• CleanBrowsing (Free and paid options)
• OpenDNS FamilyShield (Free)
• Cloudflare Family DNS (Free)
Once you set it up in your router, every device in your house gets safer browsing instantly.
Use Profiles for Each Child
Many routers now allow you to create profiles for each kid. This lets you assign their devices to their profile and set rules that apply only to them.
For example:
• Your teenager gets two hours of gaming per day.
• Your younger child can only access educational websites.
• All kids’ devices shut off at bedtime.
• Adult devices stay unrestricted.
Profiles make it easy to manage your family’s internet without constantly tweaking settings.
Block Specific Apps and Games
If your kids use gaming systems, phones, or tablets, you can block certain apps or services if needed. Some common ones parents block or limit are:
• TikTok
• Snapchat
• Discord
• Roblox
• Fortnite
• YouTube
• Twitch
Blocking or limiting access to these apps can help keep kids safer and reduce screen-time battles.
Use Parental Control Apps for More Options
If your router’s parental controls are limited, you can add a parental control app. Some popular ones include:
• Qustodio
• Bark
• Google Family Link
• Apple Screen Time
• Microsoft Family Safety
These apps let you:
• Monitor screen time
• Block inappropriate apps
• Track location
• Limit time on certain apps
• Review search history
These tools work well with your router settings for better overall control.
Create a Safe Browsing Environment
Besides blocking content, you can make your home network safer by doing things like:
• Turning on SafeSearch in Google and YouTube
• Using kid-friendly browsers or profiles
• Keeping gaming systems in shared spaces
• Talking to your kids about online safety
Technology helps, but communication is just as important.
Final Thoughts
Parental controls aren’t about spying on your kids or restricting everything they do. They’re about setting healthy boundaries, keeping them safe from inappropriate or dangerous content, and managing screen time in a world where everyone is always online.
With the right setup, you can control what devices access, when they can go online, and what content they’re exposed to — all without constantly checking their devices.
If you want help setting up parental controls, upgrading your router, or securing your home network, I can set everything up for you quickly and teach you how to manage it.
Evan Fisher
480-529-2120
evan@arizonatechpros.com
