One child, two devices - how do I block websites on one device (used for school) but not the other (used for free time)?

Hi, I’m Nicole, I’ll be happy to help you out today.

You can use parental controls to restrict internet access on your child's school laptop and allow more freedom on the home laptop. Here are some options you can consider:

Router-level controls: You can configure your home router to restrict internet access on the school laptop by setting up a separate network for it and applying filters to block specific websites or types of content.

Here's a general overview of how to set up a separate network for the school laptop using your home router:

Access your router's web interface: Open a web browser and type in the router's IP address to access its web interface. You can usually find the IP address in the router manual or by searching online for your router's model number.

Login to the router: Enter your username and password to log into the router's web interface.

Create a new network: Depending on the router, you may have to go to a section like "Wireless Settings" or "Guest Network" to create a new network. Give the new network a unique name and password.

Configure network settings: Depending on your router, you can configure the new network to have different settings such as DHCP, IP address range, and security. You may also want to set up a VLAN for the new network.

Connect the school laptop to the new network: On the school laptop, go to the Wi-Fi settings and connect to the new network. The laptop will now be isolated from the main network and have restricted access to the internet.

Set up internet filters: Depending on your router, you may be able to set up filters to block specific websites or types of content. You can also use a third-party solution like OpenDNS Family Shield for added protection.

Note that the exact steps to set up a separate network will vary depending on the make and model of your router. You may need to refer to the router manual or contact the manufacturer for more specific instructions.

Operating system-level controls: Windows have built-in parental control features that you can use to restrict internet access. You can set time limits, block specific websites, and monitor activity on the device.

Here's how you can set up parental controls in Windows:

Open the Windows Control Panel: Go to the Start menu and search for "Control Panel."

Choose "User Accounts and Family Safety": In the Control Panel, click on "User Accounts and Family Safety" to open the family safety options.

Click on "Set up parental controls for any user": Click on the link to set up parental controls for a specific user. You can set controls for your child's account.

Choose the account to manage: Select the child's account from the list of users, and click on "On, enforce current settings."

Configure the settings: In the Parental Controls section, you can set time limits, restrict games, and allow or block specific websites.

Save changes: Once you have made the necessary changes, click "Save" to apply the parental controls.

Regards.

If you don't control the school's router, you can still block internet access on the school laptop by using software-based parental controls. Most parental control software will work even if you can't control the router, as long as you have administrative access to the laptop.

You don't need to create a second kid profile, but you may need to create separate profiles or user accounts on the school laptop and the home laptop, and configure the parental control software accordingly. Some parental control software can be set up with different filtering rules for different user accounts, so you can have different levels of internet access for your child depending on which device they're using and where they are.

You can also consider using portable browser profiles with specific bookmarks and plugins that are only accessible when the child is using the school laptop. This way, you can limit their access to educational material while still allowing some internet access.

here are some popular software-based parental control options:

Windows Family Safety (built-in for Windows 10)

OpenDNS Family Shield

K9 Web Protection

Qustodio

Norton Family

ESET Parental Control

Net Nanny

These parental control software allow you to block specific websites, set time limits for internet access, monitor your child's online activity, and in some cases, control the content they can access on their devices. They can be installed on a computer or a mobile device and can be configured to meet your specific needs. Some of these tools also have features such as screen time tracking, location tracking, and app usage monitoring.

Unfortunately, I need to block the internet mostly when he is at school. And I don't control the school's router permissions. So there is no way to have separate internet permissions for the same kid on different devices? Do I need to make a "second kid profile" to separate school and home laptop permissions?