How to restrict, limit and control internet access at home

Controlling your internet access not only helps protect your family from online threats but also optimizes the experience for all. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of controlling your internet access.

Implementing controls on your home internet can significantly enhance security. Parental controls and content filters can block access to malicious websites, reducing the risk of viruses, malware and phishing attacks.

Controlling internet access can help improve productivity for both children and adults. By setting usage limits and blocking distracting websites, you can ensure that online time is spent on productive activities, such as working from home.

Key benefits of internet controls include protecting children from inappropriate content. Parental control tools allow you to block access to websites and apps that contain adult content, violence or hate speech, ensuring a safer online environment for your kids.

By controlling internet access, you can manage bandwidth usage effectively. For homes or apartments with multiple devices connected to the internet, prioritizing essential activities, such as work or online learning, will make the internet experience better overall.
 
Being able to control internet access in your home should be easy to manage and adjust once you’ve set up your system. For more detailed guidance and tools, visit Astound Broadband’s support page​.

If you want to create a safer, more secure online environment for your household, follow our tips for three of the most common reasons to restrict internet access for your own devices.

One of the primary reasons to limit internet access is to reduce screen time. Excessive screen time can lead to various health issues, including eye strain, sleep disturbances and reduced physical activity. By setting limits on internet usage, parents can encourage healthier lifestyles and ensure that children engage in offline activities like reading, playing outside or spending quality time with family

Limiting internet access can make your WiFi more secure and help prevent unauthorized users from accessing your home network. Implement strong passwords, enable network encryption and set up guest networks to restrict access to your internet and maintain your digital privacy.

Protecting children from inappropriate content by monitoring their online activity is another reason to limit internet access. Parental control tools allow you to block access to websites and apps that contain adult themes, violence or hate speech, making sure children are not exposed to harmful content.

Restricting internet access at home is essential for maintaining a safe and productive online environment. We’ll look into some techniques to help enhance your network’s security, find the best internet speed and ensure that online time is used efficiently.

Your router is the device which controls your home wireless network. Most modern routers are equipped with parental control features that allow you to restrict internet access. You can block specific websites, set time limits and prioritize certain devices through your router’s settings.

Astound’s Whole Home WiFi with eero subscription includes eero Secure at no additional charge. eero Secure includes security features like parental controls and ad blocking, plus the ability to create a guest network.

Software can help you block websites on your router. Parental control software like Net Nanny, Qustodio and Norton Family offers features such as content filtering, usage limits and activity monitoring. These programs can be installed on individual devices, allowing you to modify restrictions by user.

Many devices, including smartphones, tablets and computers, have built-in parental control settings. For instance, you can set up screen time limits, block specific apps and restrict in-app purchases directly on these devices. Configuring controls at the device level offers granular management of internet activity.

Time-based restrictions can be set using router settings or parental control software to schedule internet access. For example, you can configure the internet to be unavailable during bedtime or homework hours to manage screen time.

One of the most effective ways to manage internet access is by setting up usage schedules. Modern routers and parental control apps allow you to create schedules that specify when the internet is available.

Time management tools, such as screen time apps, help manage and limit the amount of time spent online. These tools allow you to set daily or weekly limits on internet usage for specific apps or websites.

If you want to manage your network and your network access, you can create user profiles and set up guest networks. We’ve included tips for you to manage access for different users.

Setting up individual user profiles on your home network allows you to manage internet access tailored to each user’s needs. By assigning different profiles to family members, you can apply specific restrictions and monitor usage. Children’s profiles, for example, can have stricter content filters and time limits, while adults can have more flexible access.

A guest network provides a separate access point for visitors, ensuring that your primary network remains secure. If you want to know how to block someone from accessing your wireless internet, a guest network can control bandwidth and restrict access to certain websites or services without compromising the security and performance of your main network. Guest networks can be configured through your router’s settings.

Network encryption and internet activity monitoring can enhance the security and privacy of your home network, not only to protect data from cyber-threats, but also ensure that your safety and privacy standards are upheld.

Most routers support WPA3 encryption, which is the latest and most secure wireless encryption standard. If you don’t know how to enable network encryption, log into your router’s settings through its IP address, navigate to the wireless security section and select WPA3.

Regularly monitoring internet activity can help you detect and address potential security threats and inappropriate usage. Many routers and parental control apps offer features that allow you to view browsing history, track data usage and receive alerts for suspicious activity. Keep an eye on the activities of all users to identify and mitigate risks.

Managing and restricting internet access at home is crucial for creating a safe, productive and secure online environment for your family.

By configuring router settings, employing parental control software, setting up device-level controls and establishing time-based restrictions, you should be able to meet the specific needs of your home.

By following these steps, you can ensure a balanced, secure and controlled internet connection that promotes safe and effective internet usage for all.