Are you dealing with a situation where your kids are always glued to their devices due to the unlimited Wi-Fi at home? We understand how frustrating it can be when they don’t listen to you. Relax, we’re here to help you with some helpful tricks on how to turn off Wi-Fi to certain devices, ensuring not only a break for your kids but also safeguarding your Wi-Fi connection from any potential hacks in the future. Let’s make your home Wi-Fi experience more manageable and secure!
How to Turn Off Wi-Fi to Certain Devices
You can use several effective methods to turn off Wi-Fi to certain devices on your network, and we’ve broken them down into simple step-by-step instructions for your convenience. Here are some of the most common and practical approaches:
Method 1: Change Wi-Fi Password
If your kid isn’t too tech-savvy, changing the Wi-Fi password is a simple yet effective method. Here’s a simple guide to changing your Wi-Fi password:
1. Type your router’s IP address in the web search bar to access the Wi-Fi configuration page.
Note: You can find your IP Address on the back or side of your router.
2. Enter your Username and Password to log in to your router.
3. On the configuration page, click the Wireless from the menu.
4. Click Wireless Settings, type your new password, and hit Save.
Following these steps will change your password, and the router will restart automatically.
Method 2: Hide Your Wi-Fi Network
If changing your password doesn’t resolve the issue, another option is hiding your Wi-Fi. With this trick, your Wi-Fi won’t be visible when someone scans for networks. You can only connect to your Wi-Fi by manually adding your Wi-Fi name and password. Here’s a simple guide to help you through the process:
1. Access your router’s configuration page as in the previous heading.
2. Click on Wireless from the menu.
3. Check the option Hide SSID and click on Save.
Note: Once the Wi-Fi is hidden, you won’t be able to connect directly to the network. To reconnect, add the network to your Wi-Fi settings before use.
After these steps, your router will automatically restart upon saving the changes, effectively hiding your Wi-Fi.
Method 3: MAC Filtering to Restrict Specific Device
Each device has its unique MAC Address, allowing it to connect to Wi-Fi networks. If you wish to restrict a specific device, adding its MAC address to the blacklist prevents it from connecting to your Wi-Fi. Alternatively, if you’re unsure of a device’s MAC address, you can add your device’s MAC address to the whitelist, ensuring it connects only with your known devices. Let’s go through the steps together:
1. Log in to the configuration page of your router.
2. Go to Security > Access Control.
3. Turn the toggle on for Access Control.
4. Set Access Mode to Blacklist or Whitelist. Here, we have chosen Blacklist.
5. Copy the MAC Address of the desired device.
6. Add the MAC Address of your device in the Source MAC Address field and click on Save.
You’ve successfully applied MAC filtering. Now, devices added to the blacklist will not be able to connect to your Wi-Fi network.
How to Restrict Wi-Fi Access at Certain Times
If you’d like to control Wi-Fi access during specific times for your kid or anyone else, your router is up to the task. To restrict Wi-Fi access at certain times, you can typically use the settings provided by your router. While the steps may vary slightly based on the router model, the general process remains the same. Here’s a user-friendly guide to help you through it:
1. Begin by logging in to your router’s configuration page.
2. Click on System Tools from the menu.
3. enter your desired time and choose Get from PC or Internet.
4. Click on Save.
5. Now, click on Parental Control.
6. Turn the toggle on of Parental Control.
7. Enter the device’s name and IP Address.
With these easy steps, you can ensure that Wi-Fi access is limited during specific times as needed.
Are There Any Apps to Restrict Wi-Fi Access to Specific Apps?
Absolutely. There are numerous apps available that can assist you in restricting Wi-Fi or cellular data access to specific apps. If you know what time your kids use their phones the most and the apps they spend considerable time on, these apps can be incredibly helpful. Do check the apps given below:
1. NetGuard: This free, open-source app is available for Android devices only. It allows you to block apps from accessing the internet over Wi-Fi and cellular data.
2. GlassWire: This is a paid app that is available for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. It offers a more advanced set of features than NetGuard, including monitoring your network traffic and seeing which apps use the most data.
3. Family Link by Google: Family Link lets you set digital ground rules for your family, which you can use to manage the apps your child can use.
Use Parental Controls to Block Your Child’s Internet Access
Throughout this article, I discussed ways to turn off the internet on certain devices. I explained how to block a device’s access to the home WiFi and a phone’s access to mobile data (or only a few apps’ access). You should know they all have loopholes if you have gone through them. In most cases, a tech-savvy child can find their way around your restriction. Besides, stopping your child from using the internet doesn’t sound practical. Your child can benefit from a lot of safe and valuable information online. Not to mention that by restricting mobile data, you risk being unable to contact your child in times of emergency.
So, what’s the solution to letting your child use the internet while protecting them from the risks lurking in the cyber world? My answer is to use parental control apps such as Safes to monitor and control your child’s internet access.
How Does Safes Protect My Child Online?
Using Safes, you can block harmful apps and websites and search keywords on your child’s phone, tablet, or computer. Moreover, Safes sends you daily, weekly, and monthly reports of your child’s internet activity so you’ll know if your child has been trying to access inappropriate content. Using the social media monitoring features, you can rest assured that your child doesn’t come into contact with harmful content on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or WhatsApp.
With all these features, why block your child’s internet access? When you weed out harmful content online, there will be nothing to block your child’s access to.
Safes are protected with a PIN code that only you know. So, your child cannot remove Safes from their devices or revoke your settings. Your child can benefit from protection around the clock without any loopholes.
FAQs:
Can I use these methods to temporarily restrict Wi-Fi access for specific devices?
You can temporarily restrict access by changing the Wi-Fi password or using MAC filtering.
Will hiding my Wi-Fi network affect the connectivity of my other devices?
No, hiding your Wi-Fi network will not affect the connectivity of existing devices once they are manually added.
Is it possible for someone to bypass MAC filtering?
While MAC filtering adds a layer of security, it’s not foolproof. Determined individuals may still find ways to bypass it.
Using these methods, can I set up time restrictions for Wi-Fi access on specific devices?
Yes, some routers offer parental control features, allowing you to set time restrictions for Wi-Fi access.
Are parental control apps like Safes compatible with all devices?
Safes and similar apps are designed to work across various devices, but compatibility may vary based on the device’s operating system and version.
Conclusion:
Various methods, such as changing passwords, hiding networks, and utilizing MAC filtering, can effectively manage and secure your home Wi-Fi. Additionally, parental control apps offer comprehensive monitoring and protection. It’s essential to understand the capabilities and limitations of each method to create a tailored approach for your family’s internet usage.
