Set Parental Controls on TP-Link Router
Protect your family online with our comprehensive guide to configuring parental controls for your TP-Link router from any device. Whether you’re using a computer or smartphone, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step setup process to ensure a safe and secure internet experience for everyone in your household.
Sometimes it may be necessary to block access to social media or any other websites for specific devices including smartphones and tablet PCs. For this purpose, there is a special function in the router settings – parental controls.
This function makes it possible to allow Internet access by schedule only, and to specify the web addresses that can be visited, or should be restricted. For example, you can disable Internet access for the time when children are supposed to be doing their homework, or sleeping; Similarly, you can restrict Internet access inside your office network so that your employees can concentrate on doing their job instead of browsing the web.
In some models, the functions of blocking certain websites and restricting Internet access on schedule are combined. I will show you how to configure parental controls with the example of a TP-Link router.
- Configuring Parental Controls from a PC
- Configuring Parental Controls from a Smartphone
- Modifying Default Login and Password in the Router Settings
- Questions and answers
- Comments
Configuring Parental Controls from a PC
First of all, you should make your way to the router settings. To do it, type the router address in the browser, enter the login and password. By default, these are admin and admin.
Go to the tab Parental Controls and enable this function by checking the corresponding box. You can also give the MAC address of the computer the access for which you want to control.
The MAC address field shows the MAC address of the computer which is currently being used to configure the router. If the MAC address of your network card has already been registered with the system, you can click on the button Copy to Above to copy this address to the field MAC address of Parental PC. As soon as you do it, the address will be copied to the corresponding field.
Below, specify the device you want to control. Type the address of the device for which you want to restrict access (or the addresses of the devices to which you would like to apply parental control functions) in the field МАС address – 1, 2, 3, 4. Otherwise, select the MAC address from the drop-down list and copy it to one of these fields by choosing it from the list.
The next step is to specify the time period during which the controlled computer will be allowed to connect to the Internet. Choose when such controls should be applied – each day or week, and then click Add.
To remove the time and days you have selected, use the button Clear Schedule.
In the last section, you can specify the Internet addresses that your child (or another user) will be permitted to access.
Click Save to confirm the changes you have made.
Configuring Parental Controls from a Smartphone
Also, you can configure parental controls with a smartphone using a tool called Tether. This is a free application and you can install it to your smartphone or tablet PC from Google Play Market or AppStore.
Read a detailed review of this application in one of our previous articles.
To enable the parental control function, start the application and go to menu Tools / Parental Controls.
In this app, the function is a bit simplified. Just drag the slider accordingly and select one of the connected clients.
Tap Done, set the schedule and specify Allowed Websites.
Tap Done again and this is it – parental controls are ready to use. Now the user with restricted access rights won’t be able to visit a website which is forbidden or go online at a time different from what has been specified in the settings.
Modifying Default Login and Password in the Router Settings
Here is one more important thing. If your router still has the default password (admin) to protect the settings, I recommend changing it.
Do it by going to the router settings, then to the menu System Tools / Password.
You’d better do it today, because tomorrow your child may watch a video on YouTube, open the router settings… and block your own Internet access! Never underestimate today’s teens – too often, they turn up more tech-wise than you could imagine.
This way, you can discipline not only naughty children, but also bratty relatives and cunning neighbors. Anyway, I am sure you will find a way to use this trick.
That is all for now. I hope you will find this article useful. You’re welcome to post comments to ask questions.
Are there any additional features or options available with TP-Link parental controls?
Yes, TP-Link parental controls offer additional features and options, such as the ability to block specific websites, limit internet access for certain devices, set time limits for internet usage, and view detailed reports of internet activity.
Can you set up different rules for different devices or users with TP-Link parental controls?
Yes, you can set up different rules for different devices or users with TP-Link parental controls. This includes setting different access schedules and filtering rules for each device or user. You can also set up different levels of access, such as allowing one user to access certain websites while blocking another user from the same sites.
Can you set time limits for internet usage with TP-Link parental controls?
Yes, TP-Link parental controls allow you to set time limits for internet usage. You can set daily or weekly limits and also specify which devices or users can access the internet during certain times.
How can you block specific websites or apps with TP-Link parental controls?
TP-Link parental controls allow you to block specific websites or apps by setting up a blacklist. To do this, you will need to log into the web interface of your TP-Link router and access the parental control settings. From there, you can add the URLs of the websites or apps you want to block to the blacklist. Once the URLs are added, any attempts to access them will be blocked.
Are there any limitations to TP-Link parental controls?
Yes, there are some limitations to TP-Link parental controls. These include:
Read how to configure parental controls for a TP-Link router from a computer or smartphone. If you do have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our technical support service - we will be happy to help you.
Hello Parental Controls of TP-Link Archer1200 V400 can control/block specified mobile apps? How can it work? Thanks