Kids and the internet – tell me a more dangerous combo, I’ll wait.

I recently walked in on my kid watching a very questionable video – every parent’s worst nightmare, right? 

In my defense, my kid is 5 years old and can’t type anything.

So, how did it happen?

Just a random pop-up ad on a kids' website and with one simple click my kid ended up on a graphic website.

That’s when I realized, I needed to set up parental control features on the internet.

If you are also a parent and want to avoid such mishaps, using parental control is your best bet.

How to do it?

Roll your sleeves and get your laptop, let us do it together.  

What Is Parental Control?

First thing first, let's see what parental control is and how much control it offers.

Parental control features on devices, software, and online platforms help parents track or restrict the online accessibility of their kids. It can help in blocking websites, filtering content, managing screen time, setting time limitations, tracking locations, and protecting kids from inappropriate content.

Where to find parental controls:

Within this write-up, our focus will be the router.

Most routers allow the parent to create a profile, add devices, and even set schedules for device access.

What are the Types of Parental Controls?

Here are some common types of parental controls:  

Block Content: Restrict the access of any websites, apps, or functions.

Filter Content: Limit and restrict the inappropriate content based on the age or maturity of the child.

Set Time Limits: Set internet access time to help manage the screen time of the child.

Monitor Activity: Track online activity and record digital blueprint i.e. commonly visited sites, app usage, time of access, etc.

Manage Devices: Manage accounts and devices i.e. changing or resetting their password, editing personal information, and deleting their account.

Control Spending: Blocking or restricting in-game spending.

Restrict Communication: Managing and blocking communication apps.

Track Location: Track the device location via GPS apps.

How to Set Up Parental Controls on Your Router?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHwtkMDYEio

Now, dear parents, I know the options are endless.

But, having so many options can be confusing, so pick the simplest one– the website block feature.

Here is the summary of the block process:

Finding it difficult to follow?

Here is a detailed guide:

Step 1: Login to Router

There is a high chance that you already know how to log in to the router. If you do, that is great. You can jump straight to the next step.

However, if you don’t, here is a simple guide to help you through the process:

  • Open the browser window on the computer and enter the address of the router.
  • The address of the router is generally a non-routable IP address, which is not available via the internet. To find the router address, check the router manual or website of the manufacturing company and find the default admin address.
  • Keep in mind that some routers require more verification for login. So, you will need to connect to a specific port for accessing the administration console. You might also be asked to add a port to the end of the address along with the port number.
  • Now that you have added the correct address, you can add an administrator username and password. These are also mentioned on the router maker’s website. In case you have changed the password and now you forgot, just reset the router and it will get to the factory default.

Congrats! You are done with the difficult part and just a few steps away from setting up parental control.

Step 2: Access Parental Control Feature

After logging in to the router, locate the access restriction page. This option varies from router to router, so search other options like the parental control page as well.

Easy, right?

Let’s get to the next step.

Step 3: Block the Website

Now, after accessing the parental control page, click the Website Blocking by URL Address. Some routers might have a website filtering option or something similar, so make sure you search all the related terms.

This will open a small window or search engine-like page where you can add the site domain.

Now, search for the site you want to block and just copy and paste the domain. A website domain or URL looks like www.youtube.com.

After pasting the URL address, you can create the access policy to block the site.

Step 4: Choose Filter

Well done! You are nearly there.

Now, this step is optional. In some routers, the user is prompted to name the access policy as well. For this step, just add the title of your choice, for instance “block YouTube” in the policy name field. Then just choose the filter as policy type.

If this is all you wanted, you are done.

However, some parents might want to schedule the blocking time. This is a great customization option for parents who want to reduce screen time for their kids or want to block websites when the child is studying.

If you also want to customize the experience more, this section is for you.

Now that you are done restricting or blocking the website, here comes the moment of truth.

Let’s put it to the test. 

If you don’t see an error.

Try rebooting your router. It generally takes a few seconds to enforce the new setting.

However, if the issue persists, ring up the customer service department and seek technical guidance.

FAQ’s

Why does my router have no parental control option?

Most routers have a parental control option or at least some form of parental control. If you are struggling with the option, there is a high chance that it is under some other name. Try searching for similar keywords like “restrict websites”, “block access” etc.

How to track the online activities of my kid?

You can track the browsing history of the device or set up parental control that can keep you notified about online activity.

Can parental control see everything?

Parental control only helps in tracking location, browsing history, social media interactions, media, phone activity, and screen time.