Home Network
Home Network & Router Controls
Set filters for devices connected to your home WiFi, and check the limits before relying on them.
Router and DNS controls apply to every device on your home network simultaneously, including phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs and gaming consoles, without installing anything on each device. Set them alongside the controls on each device.
What network controls cannot do: They do not work when children switch to mobile data (4G/5G) instead of home WiFi. A VPN app on a child's phone bypasses DNS filtering. HTTPS prevents routers from reading page content: they can only block or allow entire domains, not individual pieces of content within a site.
DNS Filtering
Set two DNS addresses on the router to filter adult sites for connected devices. The free setup takes about 5 minutes.
Cloudflare for Families (1.1.1.3)
Set two DNS addresses on your router to filter adult sites and malware for connected devices. The service is free; allow about 5 minutes for setup.
Setup time
5 minutes
OpenDNS FamilyShield (208.67.222.123)
A free DNS filter from Cisco that blocks adult content, phishing, and proxy and anonymiser sites children use to bypass other filters.
Setup time
5 minutes
NextDNS
A DNS service with controls for individual apps, content categories and activity logs. It can help you filter services such as TikTok or Instagram on your home network.
Setup time
20–30 minutes
Built-in Router Controls
Use parental controls already built into your TP-Link, ASUS, or Netgear router. Check which controls your model includes.
TP-Link (HomeCare / Parental Controls)
Most TP-Link routers include HomeCare: a built-in parental controls system managed from your phone via the Tether app.
Setup time
15–20 minutes
ASUS (AiProtection / Family Zone)
ASUS routers with AiProtection use Trend Micro filtering. Check whether your model includes the parental controls you need.
Setup time
20–30 minutes
NETGEAR (Smart Parental Controls / Circle integration)
Supported Netgear Nighthawk and Orbi routers offer parental controls through Circle. Check your model and plan for app limits, content filters and bedtime settings.
Setup time
20–30 minutes
ISP Controls
Check whether your internet provider offers free parental controls. They can be a straightforward place to start.