
How to Protect Your Children Online with Free Parental Controls from Your Internet Provider
The Internet is a wonderful resource for learning, entertainment and communication, but it also comes with some risks and challenges for parents who want to keep their children safe online. One of the ways to help prevent your children from accessing inappropriate or harmful content on the web is to use parental controls.
What are Parental Control Tools
Parental controls are tools that allow you to filter, monitor and limit what your children can see and do online. They can be applied to devices such as computers, tablets and smartphones, as well as to web browsers, apps and online platforms.
Do Internet Service Providers Offer Free Parental Controls?
Many internet service providers (ISPs) offer free parental controls that you can activate at any time.
These parental controls work by blocking or restricting access to websites or categories of websites that are unsuitable for children, such as pornography, violence, gambling, drugs and alcohol. You can also customize the level of filtering according to the age and needs of your children and set time limits for internet usage.
In the UK, the four big ISPs – BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media offer free parental controls with their service. You can also find more information on their websites:
- BT: https://www.bt.com/help/security/parental-controls
- Sky: https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-broadband-shield-explained
- TalkTalk: https://www.talktalk.co.uk/shop/security/homesafe
- Virgin Media: https://www.virginmedia.com/help/virgin-media-parental-controls
In the USA, some of the ISPs that offer free parental controls are:
- Comcast Xfinity: https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/set-up-parental-controls-with-comcast-networking
- Spectrum: An Internet subscription for Spectrum comes with Security Suite licenses for up to 10 computers. You can find more information here: Security Suite Features | Spectrum Support
Other US Internet Providers like AT&T and Verizon offer Parental Control Apps with additional fees.
In Australia, some Optus plans come with McAfee Safe Family for free. Read more here: SafeMeet McAfee: we take a look at the Safe Family app (optus.com.au)
Other Ways to Protect Your Children Online
Of course, parental controls from your ISP are not the only option for protecting your children online. You can also use other tools and features that are available on devices, browsers, apps and platforms that your children use.
For example, you can enable Google SafeSearch, YouTube Restricted Mode, Netflix Parental Controls and Facebook Privacy Settings.
If your Internet Service Provider doesn’t come with a free parental control tool or app, you can also try out other free or paid parental control apps.
However, it is important to remember that no parental control tool is 100% effective or foolproof. Some websites or content may slip through the filters, or your children may find ways to bypass or disable them.
That is why it is essential to talk to your children about staying safe online and make sure they know they can come to you if they encounter any problems or concerns. You can also educate yourself and your children about the potential risks and opportunities of the internet by visiting websites such as:
- https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
- https://www.esafety.gov.au/
In conclusion, parental controls from your ISP are a useful and free way to help protect your children from inappropriate or harmful content on the internet. They can be easily activated and customized according to your preferences and needs. However, they are not a substitute for open and honest communication with your children about their online activities and experiences. By combining parental controls with education and dialogue, you can help your children enjoy the benefits of the internet while minimizing the risks.