A Guide to Parental Controls for WiFi

Is your little one already scrolling through social media? It's a scary reality.

The digital world is a playground, but it's also a jungle filled with hidden dangers. A recent Ofcom report unveiled the shocking truth: kids as young as five are diving headfirst into platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

If you're looking for advice on how to go about it, you're in the right place.

With screen time and online access increasing, as parents, it's our job to keep our kids safe online. That's why we’ve put together this guide on WiFi Parental Controls.

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What are the risks to children online

According to Ofcom, a higher proportion of 5-7s go online to send messages or make voice/video calls or to watch live-streamed content.

Letting your child roam free in the online jungle can be a risky gamble. While many parents enjoy the digital world with their kids, unsupervised access can open a door to a world of trouble.

These will vary by platform but can include:

Exposure to Inappropriate Content

Violent or disturbing content:

Even in videos that appear to be geared toward children and seem perfectly safe, there can still be hidden or unexpected violent or disturbing images that may not be suitable for young viewers.

Harmful challenges:

Participating in online challenges can often lead individuals to engage in dangerous or risky behaviours that may have serious consequences.

Privacy Concerns:

Young children might disclose personal information online without fully grasping the potential implications and dangers that could arise from such actions.

Malicious interactions:

While gaming consoles can provide entertainment and a platform for social interaction, they also pose several risks for children. Unmonitored online gaming can expose kids to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and interactions with strangers who may have malicious intent.

Impact on child development


Unrealistic expectations:

Constant exposure to highly edited and carefully curated content on social media can foster unrealistic expectations and perceptions about what life should be like.

Advertising influence:

Children are particularly susceptible to the manipulative tactics employed in advertising, often prompting them to desire products or lifestyles that aren’t genuinely attainable.


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What can you do to keep your family safe online?

So knowing all the risks, how do we make sure our kids stay safe online?

Keeping kids safe online requires open communication, technology, and parental involvement.

Here are some essential tips:

Open Communication

Talk openly:

Discuss online safety regularly, making it a normal part of your child's life. Childnet offers great advice on how to talk to your child about online safety including stories for all age ranges. Visit Childnet

Set clear rules:

Establish guidelines for online behaviour, such as not sharing personal information, time limits and what types of websites and apps could be inappropriate. With the younger ages, it's also recommended not to allow unsupervised online screen time.

Teach critical thinking:

Help your child understand how to evaluate information online.

Install security software:

Protect your devices with antivirus and anti-malware software. Keep software updated: Ensure your devices and apps have the latest security patches.

Use child-specific profiles:

For example, YouTube offers a kids version. As do a number of other streaming services such as iPlayer and Netflix.

Technology and Parental Controls

Use WiFi parental controls:

Most devices and platforms offer parental control features. Find useful guides on the UK Safer Internet Centre’s website. Monitor online activity: Regularly review your child's online history and social media profiles.

Install security software:

Protect your WiFi-connected devices with antivirus and anti-malware software.

Keep software updated:

Ensure your connected mobile devices and apps have the latest security patches. Use child-specific profiles: For example, YouTube offers a kids version. As do a number of other streaming services such as iPlayer and Netflix.


How Future Connected Fibre can help ensure online safety

If your concerned about your child's safety online, you can rest assured with Future Connected.

Each of our routers is sent pre-configured and can be customised to enable Parental Access Controls. When you join us, you’ll receive step-by-step instructions to guide you through this process, making it as easy as possible to help your kids surf the net safely.

Get connected with Future Connected Fibre today!

WiFi Parental Control FAQs

Do WiFi routers have parental controls?

Yes, most WiFi routers come equipped with parental control settings. These controls allow parents to manage and restrict their children's internet usage by implementing content filtering, time-based access, and other monitoring functionalities.

While the specific features and ease of use can vary between different router models, many modern routers and mesh systems have robust parental control options that enable you to tailor your child's online experience for safety.

It's advisable to check the router's specifications or user manual to understand the parental control capabilities it offers.

The instructions for setting parental controls for Future Connected Fibre's routers can be found in our owners manual.

Can I use parental controls on multiple devices?

Yes, you can use parental controls on multiple devices connected to your network. Most routers allow you to manage settings for various devices. You can create groups of devices (for example, "kids' devices") and apply specific controls to each group. This way, you can tailor the level of restrictions based on the age or usage of different devices, ensuring a safer online experience for all users in your household.

How do I put parental controls on my Wi-Fi?

Setting up parental controls on your Wi-Fi router varies between providers. Generally speaking, the following steps will help:

  1. Access Your Router's Settings:
  • Open a web browser and type your router's IP address in the address bar. Common addresses include 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
  • Log in using the admin credentials (often found on the router or in the manual).
  1. Locate the Parental Controls Section:
  2. Once logged in, navigate to the parental controls section. This might be labeled differently depending on the router brand (e.g., "Parental Controls," "Access Restrictions," or "Internet Filtering").
  3. Configure Your Settings:
  • Set up content filtering options to block specific websites or categories of content.
  • Establish time-based access controls to limit when devices can connect to the internet.
  • Assign user profiles for each child or device to customize restrictions as needed.
  1. Save Your Changes:
  2. After configuring your settings, make sure to save the changes before exiting the router interface.
  3. Monitor and Adjust:
  4. Regularly check and update the settings based on your child's needs and any new online threats.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage your child's online activity and create a safer browsing environment. Some internet providers might allow you to make these changes in an app or web portal.