In this article we explain how to prevent children from using the Internet on PCs and other devices without your permission.

Our kids are more tech-savvy than we could ever hope to be. We block a website, and they find a way around our blocking software. We put up a firewall; they get through. What’s a parent to do? We can never be certain that our parental controls will work, but we do our best to keep our kids safe. Here are several ways to make your parental controls a little more effective and a little harder to circumvent.

Let your children know what is expected of them by teaching them about child safety online. Explain to them that you are trying to keep them safe and that you expect them to be responsible. Let them know that while you trust them, you will still make sure they follow the rules and that their online use can and will be monitored. Explain that internet access is a privilege that should not be abused and that it can and will be taken away if they do not meet your expectations.

One of the easiest ways for your child to bypass your security settings is to factory reset your router. This usually involves simply holding down a reset button on the back of the router. Once reset, most routers will default to an open wireless network with no encryption, revert to a factory password that you can easily google, and disable most security features. This gives your child an easy alibi, as they can claim ignorance and blame it on a power surge. Lock your router in a closet or somewhere out of reach so they can’t hit the reset button.