Parental Controls Explained: How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
Children are now growing up surrounded by technology more than ever. From educational and school resources (including homework) to entertainment, the internet offers a wealth of information. However, it also comes with risks, including inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and online predators.
As a parent, ensuring your child’s safety online can feel overwhelming, but parental controls are an effective tool to help you manage and monitor their internet use.
This guide will explain what parental controls are, how they work, and how you can easily set them up on your router to create a safer online environment for your family. 
What Are Parental Controls?
Parental controls are software and tools that allow parents to restrict and monitor their children’s internet usage.
These controls can help you:
- Block inappropriate content – Filter out websites or apps with adult, violent, or harmful material.
- Manage screen time – Limit the amount of time your children spend online each day.
- Monitor online activity – See which websites and apps your children are using.
- Protect personal information – Prevent children from accidentally sharing personal details online.
By using parental controls, you can encourage safe online habits and protect your child from potential online threats.
Did you know? - While 70% of parents acknowledge the existence of parental control tools on social media platforms, only 22% actively use them.
Why Are They Important?
Parental controls are essential for keeping children safe online by filtering inappropriate content, limiting screen time, and monitoring internet activity. They help protect children from online threats like cyberbullying, harmful websites, and unwanted interactions with strangers. By using parental controls, parents can create a safer online environment while encouraging responsible internet use.
In the UK, cyberbullying has become a massive concern among children with recent data indicating that 39% of children aged 8 to 17 have experienced bullying, either online or offline. Among these, bullying was more prevalent online (84%) than face-to-face (61%)
Types of Parental Controls
There are three main types of parental controls:
Device-Based Controls
These are settings built into devices such as smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles. For example:
- Apple Screen Time – Allows you to set time limits and block inappropriate content on iPhones and iPads.
- Google Family Link – Lets you manage app downloads and set screen time limits on Android devices.
- Game Console Controls – PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch all offer parental settings to limit playtime and restrict access to online interactions.
App-Based Controls
Specific apps and software offer parental control features, such as:
- YouTube Kids – Filters out inappropriate videos and allows parents to set viewing limits.
- TikTok Family Pairing – Allows parents to control screen time, messaging, and restricted content on their child's account.
Router-Based Controls
These controls are set up directly on your Wi-Fi router, allowing you to filter content and manage internet access across all devices connected to your network. This is particularly useful for protecting Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and other devices that may not have built-in parental settings.
Useful information - A 2023 survey revealed that 21% of UK parents with children aged 8 to 15 have installed parental control applications on their children's smartphones. For younger children, aged 5 to 7, this figure stands at 13% - Statista
Why Use Router-Based Parental Controls?
Router-based parental controls offer several advantages:
- Comprehensive Coverage – They apply to all devices connected to your home Wi-Fi, including those that don’t have their own parental controls.
- Centralised Management – Easily control settings for every device from one place.
- Time Management – Schedule when the internet is accessible, promoting healthier screen-time habits.
By setting up parental controls on your router, although you may not be your children’s favourite person, you can create a safer online environment for the whole family, without having to configure each device individually. 
How to Set Up Parental Controls on Your Router
Setting up parental controls on your router is easier than you might think. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Access Your Router’s Settings
- Open your web browser and type in your router’s IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
- Enter your admin username and password. If you haven’t changed these, the default credentials are often printed on a label on your router.
Find the Parental Controls Section
- Navigate to the “Parental Controls” or “Access Control” tab in your router’s settings menu.
- This section may also be under “Security” or “Advanced Settings,” depending on your router model.
Create User Profiles
- Some routers allow you to create individual profiles for each child. This lets you set specific rules for each device they use.
Filter Inappropriate Content
- Enable content filtering to block websites containing adult content, violence, or other unsuitable material.
- You can manually add specific sites to a block list if needed.
Set Time Limits
- Schedule internet access for each profile or device. For example, you can block internet access during bedtime or homework hours.
Review and Monitor Activity
- Some routers allow you to monitor browsing history and see which websites have been visited.
- This can help you keep an eye on your child’s online activity and adjust restrictions if necessary.
If you have any questions about seeing up parental controls on your router, then please contact the VFast team for guidance.
If you are a VFast customer
We provide a couple of router options, with the TP-Link VX230V being one of our main options for residential FTTC/SoGEA customers: 
To set up parental controls on a TP-Link VX230V router, follow these steps:
- Log into the Router – Open a web browser and enter http://192.168.1.1 in the address bar. Log in using your admin credentials (found on the router or set during setup).
- Access Parental Controls – Navigate to Advanced > Parental Controls in the menu.
- Add a Device – Click Add and select the device you want to manage from the list or manually enter its MAC address.
- Set Filtering Rules – Choose Block Websites to restrict specific sites or Time Limits to schedule internet access.
- Save and Apply – Click Save to activate parental controls.
This will help ensure a safer online environment for your children.
Tips for Effective Parental Controls
Talk to Your Children – Discuss the rules you’ve set and why they’re important for their safety. This helps children understand the need for boundaries.
Use Age-Appropriate Filters – Ensure the content filters match your child’s age and maturity level.
Regularly Review Settings – As your children grow, their needs and online habits will change. Adjust settings as necessary.
Encourage Open Communication – Let your children know they can come to you if they encounter something uncomfortable online.
Keep Your Kids Safe Online with VFast Internet
At VFast Internet, we understand the importance of keeping your children safe online. Our routers come with easy-to-use parental control features, giving you peace of mind while your kids explore the online world.
Want to learn more about our internet packages and parental control options? Contact us today on 01227 668901 or visit www.vfast.co.uk to find out how we can help you create a safer online environment for your family.