How to control internet access at home and enable parental controls

Why would you want to limit internet access at home?

You might want to limit internet access at home for several reasons:

• To protect your kids. While the internet is a valuable tool for learning, it also brings risks. A 2022 study found that 45% of children aged 8 to 17 have encountered online content that made them uncomfortable or upset. This content includes material on self-harm and suicide as well as pornography, violent images, and anonymous trolling.¹ Another study links greater internet access to a higher risk of encountering hate speech and violent content.² By setting limits on internet access, you can help protect your children from exposure to harmful content.
• To sleep better. A study found that nearly half of teens who spend over six hours a day on screens struggle with poor sleep.³ But it’s not just teens — adults face this problem too. A 2023 survey revealed that 91% of Americans have lost sleep staying up late to binge-watch TV shows or streaming series.⁴ Cutting back on screen time, especially before bed, can lead to better sleep, so you wake up feeling more rested and ready for the day.
• To boost productivity. Fewer online distractions mean more time to focus on what matters — whether it’s homework, hobbies, or simply enjoying quality time with family. Limiting internet access might sound drastic, but it can make a huge difference. By cutting back on endless scrolling or streaming, you free up time to be more productive and present.
• To protect your home Wi-Fi. Track who’s using your internet to ensure that only trusted devices are connected. Limiting devices not only helps protect your privacy but also speeds up your internet connection. With access control tools, you can set passwords, check which devices are online, and quickly spot unusual activity.
• To save money. Limiting internet access at home can help you save money, especially if your plan has a data cap. Cutting down on unnecessary streaming and downloads can keep you from exceeding your data limit, which might lead to extra charges. By managing how much internet your household uses, you can avoid surprise fees and switch to a lower-cost plan that meets your needs without wasting money on unused data.
• To protect your sensitive data. Limiting internet access can help stop risky downloads that might put your devices and sensitive data at risk. Kids might unknowingly download apps with malware, or you could click on a sketchy link by mistake. By setting limits and monitoring internet activity, you can reduce the chances of harmful software sneaking onto your home network and compromising your passwords, financial info, and other personal data.

How to control internet access at home

You have several different options on how to limit internet access at home. After exploring them, consider your needs and choose the method that works best for you and your family.

• 1. Change the password
• 2. Set up a guest network
• 3. Set up built-in parental controls for internet access
• 4. Install parental control apps
• 5. Scan for nearby unsecured Wi-Fi networks
• 6. Schedule or pause Wi-Fi usage
• 7. Set up Google SafeSearch
• 8. Use DNS filtering
• 9. Install browser extensions
• 10. Enable content restrictions on streaming services
• 11. Create internet-free zones
• 12. Discuss internet safety

The most obvious way to restrict internet access at home is to change your Wi-Fi password. Changing your Wi-Fi passcode will instantly disconnect every device connected to the network. However, this means you, too, will lose internet connection on your devices — like computers, phones, TVs, and smart home gadgets — until you reconnect each one using the new password.

This option isn’t ideal if you want to limit internet use for your children or give yourself occasional “internet breaks.” However, it can be helpful if you have too many unused devices on your network or your Wi-Fi was previously open. Adding a password ensures no unauthorized users can access your home network.

Setting up a guest network for kids or visitors lets you control internet usage without affecting your main network. If you need to cut off internet access for kids or guests, you can do so without disrupting your own connection. Plus, you can set rules for the guest network, like blocking certain websites, limiting bandwidth, or setting time limits. This is especially useful if you want to limit how much time your children spend online.

Are you wondering how to set time limits on Wi-Fi users? Start by logging in to your Wi-Fi router. Open a web browser and enter your network IP address (like 192.168.1.1). Use your Wi-Fi password to log in. Once you’re in, go to the “Guest network,” “Wi-Fi settings,” or “Router’s settings” section and make sure the guest network is enabled. Look for options like “Access control” or “Parental controls,” where you can set a schedule — such as limiting access to only 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tip: Need help finding your Wi-Fi password? Check out our article on how to locate it.

Most modern routers have built-in parental controls that you can manage through the router’s settings. You can set time limits on when devices can go online, block specific websites, and filter out inappropriate content. These controls also allow you to monitor internet activity, making it easy to see how much time your kids spend online and what sites they visit.

Beyond the Wi-Fi router, many devices like smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles also have parental controls. For example, Apple’s Screen Time lets you set daily limits on app use, while Google’s Family Link allows you to manage screen time and approve apps before they’re downloaded. Using these tools together gives you more control over your family’s internet habits.

Tip: If you are wondering how to set up parental controls on an iPhone or iPad, we have an article just for that.

Use parental control apps on your child’s phone, gaming console, and other devices to help manage their online activity. Apps like Qustodio, Norton Family, and Net Nanny let you set filters to block inappropriate content, schedule screen time, and track which sites and apps your kids use. These tools often come with features like activity reports, so you can see what your kids are up to online. So if you’re wondering how to monitor internet usage at home, apps that offer parental controls make it easy to stay informed.

Scanning for nearby unsecured Wi-Fi networks is a smart way to ensure your kids aren’t sneaking around your internet rules. Even if you’ve set up strict controls on your home Wi-Fi, kids can sometimes find a loophole by connecting to free, unsecured networks nearby. These open networks don’t need a password, so anyone — including your kids — can easily use them to bypass your limits.

If you find unsecured networks nearby, have a friendly chat with your neighbors. Explain the risks of leaving their Wi-Fi open, and suggest they set up a password. Most people don’t realize how easy it is for others to connect, so they might appreciate the heads up.

Tip: If you suspect that your neighbors are piggybacking on your Wi-Fi connection, check out our article on how to protect your Wi-Fi from neighbors.

Routers and mesh networks like Nest Wifi come with handy companion apps that let you pause the internet on specific devices — or even the whole network — with just a tap. Need a screen break during dinner or want to make sure the kids focus on their homework? You can pause the connection and turn it back on whenever you’re ready.

Scheduling or pausing Wi-Fi usage isn’t just helpful for kids — it can boost productivity for adults too. Turning off the internet during certain hours helps minimize distractions, making it easier to stay focused on work or household tasks.

Turning on Google SafeSearch is a simple way to control internet access at home. Turn on Google SafeSearch to filter out explicit images, videos, and websites from search results. With SafeSearch enabled, your children are less likely to stumble upon inappropriate content while doing schoolwork or exploring the web.

It’s not just about blocking adult content — SafeSearch also helps keep out harmful or misleading sites, reducing the chances of kids clicking on something risky. Plus, it can make your own searches cleaner, cutting down on distractions when you need to focus. Setting it up only takes a few minutes, and you can even lock it to make sure the filters stay in place across all connected devices at home.

DNS filtering is a smart way to control internet access at home by blocking certain websites or types of content. It helps keep your family safe by preventing access to harmful sites, like adult content, gambling, or phishing pages. You can customize the filters to block categories like social media, gaming, or streaming, so kids can focus on schoolwork without distractions. Plus, if there are specific sites you don’t want anyone visiting, you can easily block those too.

NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro™ uses DNS filtering to keep your devices safe by blocking ads, trackers, and malicious websites. This feature helps protect against harmful software like ransomware, spyware, trojans, and keyloggers that can sneak onto your device from sketchy sites.

Kids are especially vulnerable since they may accidentally download malware, thinking it’s part of a game. In fact, a study found that over 232,000 users encountered almost 40,000 malicious files disguised as popular children’s games in 2022.⁵ By using DNS filtering, you can reduce the risk of these hidden dangers and keep your family’s devices safer while they’re online.

Browser extensions for privacy or time tracking can make the internet safer and more productive for the whole family. Parental control add-ons can filter out explicit or inappropriate content, protecting kids from stumbling upon harmful material. You can easily set up these extensions to block specific websites, so children can browse safely without worrying about what they might accidentally click on.

Extensions aren’t just for kids — they can be helpful for adults too. Tools like StayFocusd or Freedom let you set time limits on distracting sites, whether it’s social media, online shopping, or gaming. If you want to cut down on endless scrolling or need your kids to focus on homework, these extensions make it simple to manage screen time.

Enabling content restrictions on streaming services can help control internet access by filtering out age-inappropriate content and limiting what kids can watch. Most streaming platforms, like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube, offer parental controls that let you set age ratings, block specific shows or movies, and restrict what content appears on kids’ profiles.

This means you can ensure your children only have access to shows and movies that are suitable for their age, protecting them from adult themes, violence, or other inappropriate content. It also helps limit screen time by allowing you to set viewing schedules or turn off the service during certain hours, encouraging kids to take breaks and focus on other activities.

Designating certain areas of your home as internet-free zones can help control how and when devices are used. For example, keeping the dining room or bedrooms free from mobile devices encourages family members to focus on meals, conversations, and quality time together.

When kids know they can’t take their devices into their bedrooms, it helps limit late-night screen time and encourages better sleep. For adults, it can mean less scrolling at the dinner table or in bed, which helps with work-life balance and staying present.

Talking openly about internet safety for kids is one of the best ways to control how your family uses the internet. When you sit down with your kids and explain why certain rules are in place, like limiting screen time or blocking certain websites, they’re more likely to understand and follow them. It’s not just about setting limits — it’s about teaching them to make smart choices online.

By discussing the risks of harmful content, the dangers of social media, online predators, and scams, you empower your kids to recognize and avoid dangerous situations. Internet education also encourages them to ask questions when they come across something that feels off.

Wrapping up: How to manage internet access at home

Now that you have 12 different ways to control internet access at home, you should be well-equipped to create a safer digital environment for your family. From using parental controls and setting up Google SafeSearch to creating internet-free zones and scheduling Wi-Fi breaks, these strategies can help you manage screen time, protect your kids from harmful content, and even boost productivity. By taking a proactive approach, you can enjoy the benefits of the internet while minimizing its risks.

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