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Configure your Home wifi to Manage your Family’s Internet Time
- Doug Loader
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
When my kids are using an iPad or laptop in the house, I often feel powerless to get their attention. I also worry a little about what they may be seeing and there are times when I wish I could just disable the internet and the device entirely.
I have explored a few solutions and I have implemented 2 strategies that I think many parents could benefit from: Family restrictions with Apple, and Parental Controls on the home router. In this article I will explain how you can benefit from the built in parental controls of your home router.
Configuring your home router may seem overwhelming but I hope that with the following guide, you may feel empowered to manage your family’s internet time.
What is a router?
Your home internet router provides many services, but most importantly it provides the wifi connectivity around your home and the gateway to the internet. If your router is less than 3 years old, it is very likely that you have parental controls built in, and you should be able to implement those controls from your smart phone.
So, what can you do with most modern routers?
With parental controls enabled, you can:
Manage internet time for kids - decide when and how long they can be online.
Pause internet usage - instantly stop access at dinner time, bedtime, or whenever you need everyone offline.
Filter content - block unsuitable websites or entire categories like gaming, social media, or shopping!
Set schedules and limits - build healthy screen habits with daily or weekly routines.
The following manufacturers offer these solutions (click on the name to reveal further instructions).
It is worth noting that not all features are free. Netgear charge around $100 per year and Eero is $160 per year for the premium stuff. However, many features are free, so I do recommend that you get started.
How to activate the parental control features
Check your router model
Look at the brand and model on the router.
Confirm it supports parental controls (Check above or a quick Google search should assist).
Download the official app
Netgear - Nighthawk App or Orbi App
TP-Link - TP-Link Tether or Deco App (for mesh systems)
Asus - ASUS Router App
Eero (Amazon) - Eero App
Connect the app to your router
Make sure your phone is connected to your home Wi-Fi (not mobile data)
Open the app and sign in. If you are unsure of your username or password, it may be on the welcome letter or email that you received from your internet service provider (ISP)
The app will scan for your router automatically. If not, you may need to enter the router’s admin credentials (printed on the back of the router or included in setup instructions)
Set up parental controls
Look for a “Parental Controls,” “Family,” or “Profiles” section inside the app
Create a profile for each child or device
Assign devices (e.g. your child’s iPad, laptop, or phone) to their profile
Choose your restrictions
Schedules → e.g. no internet after 9:00 pm
Filters → block adult content, social media, or other categories
Pause Button → instantly cut off internet when you want attention (meal times, family time)
A quick warning: Many modern devices like iPads, and iPhones have a feature called MAC address randomisation. This can make the router think your child’s device is “new” each time it connects, which means your parental controls might not apply. To prevent this, turn off “Private Wi-Fi Address” (on Apple devices).
On your daughter’s iPhone or iPad:
Open Settings → tap Wi-Fi.
Tap the blue ⓘ (info) button next to your home Wi-Fi network.
Find Private Wi-Fi Address.
Ensure it is on 'Fixed'.
It’s also a good idea to combine router controls with built-in tools like Apple Screen Time which we cover in another article.
Configuring your router may feel intimidating at first, but most manufacturers now offer easy-to-use mobile apps that guide you through setup. With just a few minutes of configuration, you can take back control of your home’s internet, encourage balanced screen time, and create a safer online environment for your family while at home.
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