One of the biggest shifts since becoming a dad — aside from the amount of time I spend covered in stickers — is how much time I spend thinking about screens. Not mine, though I should probably think about that too. I mean the kids’. Between tablets, TVs, phones and consoles, there’s a lot out there for them to enjoy… and just as much I’d rather they didn’t stumble across.
That’s where parental controls come in. They won’t do your parenting for you, but they’re a genuinely useful tool to help set boundaries and block inappropriate content — especially as kids get older and start exploring online more independently.
If you’ve been meaning to set some up but aren’t sure where to start, this guide is for you. I’ll run through the main types of parental controls, how they work, and how to set them up in a way that actually fits into family life.
Home Broadband Filters
If you want to block adult content, gambling, violence or other categories across your whole Wi-Fi network, this is the best place to start.
Most UK broadband providers offer parental controls you can switch on at router level — which means anything that connects to your home Wi-Fi (phones, tablets, consoles, smart TVs) is automatically filtered.
How to set it up:
- BT: Offers “BT Parental Controls” via your online account. You can choose preset filter levels or customise categories.
- Sky: Use “Sky Broadband Shield” to block content and set time restrictions.
- Virgin Media: Activate “Web Safe” through your Virgin Media account.
- TalkTalk: “HomeSafe” allows blocking categories like adult content, file sharing, and social media.
Pros:
- Covers every device on your home network without needing to install anything.
- Can’t be easily bypassed by younger children.
Things to watch:
- Won’t filter anything accessed using mobile data (4G/5G).
- Older kids may try using VPNs to get around it — so it’s not foolproof.
- Custom filters can sometimes be a bit overzealous (we once found Wikipedia blocked under “adult content”).
Device-Level Controls
If your kids have their own phones, tablets or laptops, you’ll want more granular control.
Thankfully, most major devices now include decent parental control features built-in — and they’ve got better in recent years.
Apple (iPhone/iPad):
- Go to Settings > Screen Time and set up a “Child” account.
- You can limit app types, block adult content in Safari, restrict purchases, and set time limits.
Android:
- Use Google Family Link. You’ll need to create a family group and link your child’s account.
- Lets you manage apps, screen time, and block mature content on Google and YouTube.
Windows and Mac:
- Both offer built-in parental controls that let you set up child accounts with web filtering, time limits and activity reports.
Pros:
- Ideal if you want different rules for different ages or kids.
- Lets you block or allow specific apps, websites or services.
Things to watch:
- Takes a bit of time to set up initially, especially across multiple devices.
- Kids might still access things through browsers or apps that you didn’t expect — so it’s worth checking settings now and then.
Third-Party Parental Control Apps
If you want more advanced features like real-time alerts, location tracking, app monitoring or the ability to manage everything from one dashboard, third-party apps might be the answer.
Some of the most popular include:
- Qustodio – Covers phones, tablets, laptops and desktops. Includes screen time limits, website filters, app blocking and daily usage reports.
- Net Nanny – Offers similar features with a strong emphasis on content filtering and live alerts.
- Norton Family – Good integration with Windows and Android, plus strong web filtering tools.
- OpenDNS FamilyShield – A free option that works at the network level by changing your DNS settings (a bit techy, but doable).
Pros:
- Covers multiple devices and platforms, including desktops.
- Often harder to bypass.
- Lets you manage everything from a single app.
Things to watch:
- Most require monthly or annual subscriptions.
- You’ll need to install them on each device and keep them updated.
Search Engine and App Filters
Even with broader filters in place, you’ll want to adjust content settings inside apps your kids actually use. Think of this as the last piece of the puzzle.
Google SafeSearch:
- Visit https://www.google.com/safesearch
- Turn on SafeSearch to block explicit images and videos in Google results.
YouTube:
- Use YouTube Kids for younger children (has stronger filters).
- For older kids, enable Restricted Mode in settings — but be aware it’s not bulletproof.
TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat etc.:
- Most now include some form of parental supervision tools.
- You’ll usually need to pair your account with your child’s to manage content and screen time.
Pros:
- Reduces exposure to inappropriate content on the platforms your child actually uses.
- Often includes features like comment filtering and message restrictions.
Things to watch:
- Filters aren’t always reliable — especially on platforms like YouTube where algorithms can’t catch everything.
- It’s still important to talk with your kids about what they’re seeing online and how to handle anything upsetting.
Mobile Data, VPNs and Workarounds
No matter how carefully you set things up, it’s worth knowing that mobile data connections can bypass your home broadband filters. If your child has a smartphone with a data plan, they may be able to access unfiltered content unless you set up restrictions on the device itself or through your mobile provider.
Older or more tech-savvy kids may also try using VPN apps to get around restrictions — something many parental control tools now try to detect and block.
The bottom line? No system is perfect. Parental controls are a tool, not a guarantee — but they do provide a helpful safety net and give you more visibility over what’s happening on your kids’ screens.
Setting up parental controls might not be the most thrilling job on your to-do list, but it’s one that pays off — especially when you catch a glimpse of the darker corners of the internet that are just a few clicks away.
Perhaps most importantly, talk openly with your kids about what’s safe, what’s not, and what to do if they see something upsetting. Because in the end, filters are helpful — but it’s the conversations that really keep them safe.