Certain Linksys routers will allow you to set access time parameters, but they're only effective if 1) you lock the router down with some passwords known only to you; and 2) your daughter can't get physical access to the router.
Posted on 06/09/2012 5:49:09 PM PDT by 50sDad
I want to find some software that will let me shut down internet access to my daughter's bedroom computer between eleven PM and eight AM, so she will get more sleep. Can anyone recommend software that will do this?
Dad2.0
In this case, the best program is called 50sDad.
If you are using a wireless router, just put a Electric Timer on it.
I have an idea, tell she can’t use it between those hours, or move the computer into the living room, or what ever and unplug it.
On some routers you can restrict access by MAC or IP address of the computer to certain times of the day. You should check to see if yours can do this.
There are timer programs for your router.
But if your daughter is bright, or cute (to get a boy to do it) it is pretty easy to figure out.
Why not just shut down the Internet after hours?
Too late
My husband says you can block MAC addresses with the router or you may be able to use Norton.
Move the router into your bedroom and shut it off at 11 p.m. And, oh yeah, take her cell away so she can’t stay up all night texting as they sometimes do. She can have them back when she gets up in the morning (that ought to encourage her to get up early!) Worked for us.
Another option: change the password on the router so that YOU have to log her on. Then you won’t have to move the router. She can sleep curled up with her laptop if she wants to but she still won’t be able to get online, even through the neighbors’ connections.
Yep, Kaspersky Pure contains parental time controls.
Certain Linksys routers will allow you to set access time parameters, but they're only effective if 1) you lock the router down with some passwords known only to you; and 2) your daughter can't get physical access to the router.
If any Mac OS X, go to System Preferences >Users & Groups and set the times that she (her 'user') can't use the computer.
Windows 7 also has Parental Controls that will permit you to set the times her 'user' can use the computer. The 'how-to" video for Windows 7 Parental Controls is here.
I don't have access to a Windows XP computer right now.
Cannot control your daughter?
You are doomed.
Grow a pair.
If you have Windows Vista or anything newer, there’s parental controls. You can put a password on your account and give her an account and you can control when her account can be accessed and what hours it can’t be accessed. Just click the start on the left hand side of the bottom of the screen and do a search for “parental controls”.
If you have a wired router instead of wireless, you can keep the router in the room where you are and just unplug the wires at the appointed time.
Of course, if it’s wireless, you have to have the router in your room, but you also have to figure out how to log into it and control access by port.
Not so simple as just pulling a wire.
Of course, you’ll still need to control physical access to wireless devices/phones/ipods/etc as well.
well if you have win 7 use the parental controls. if not look into Watchdog... http://www.rhombustechnologies.com/main.asp?page=watchdog
What brand and model of router are you utilizing? The firmware for most routers allows this type of restriction to be set. Log into you router and you’ll be amazed at what you can control (blocking IP’s, time restrictions, etc.).
Dad, version 0.0. It’s crude but effective.
It can limit the time she is allowed to be on the computer, as well as block certain web sites (that's all configurable).
What ever you choose, you will definatly know as soon as you get it working. She is gonna be pissed at you !!!
You can put a time limit on the router, but with a little tech know-how from her friends, she could probably learn to by-pass it.
The best bet is to have physical possession of the router in your bedroom during the hours you don’t want her to have it. If her ability to practice self-control is low enough that you need to physically possess the router, I’d suggest getting a hand on her cell phone as well, lest she figures out that she can tether her phone to her computer and you end up with a horrid cell phone bill.
Most ISPs provide a firewall and most home firewalls allow you to set up a schedule to block certain ports or traffic. I this case, simply block ports 80 and 443 during the times you do not want her to be on the computer.
The second solution is to remove the computer and place it in a PUBLIC location in the house where there is no expectation of privacy.
Third option is to create yourself as the administrator, give her an account on the computer and then use Windows to restict the times that account can be active.
Or combination of all three.
and you end up with a horrid cell phone bill.
I can tell you who should end up with that bill, and if it takes 5 years without a cell phone to pay it, so be it.
Personal accountability is a must or life becomes, let me see, Lindsey Lohan, just out of control.
Most routers will allow you to restrict access for specific computers by time of day. You’ll need the MAC address of the computer you want to restrict.
I think that using opendns (at www.opendns.com) as your “DNS” (DNS looks up web site numbers from names) for your router is a great thing that will protect your entire network including wireless devices. It has reasonably good filtering. Their basic version is free and is quite good. They have a paid version that has some additional features. If you do not have a fixed “IP address” (most people do not) then you have to run a little program on one of your computers also unless your router will automatically do it for you — many do.
However, by itself OpenDNS does NOT have time-based controls. However several brands of routers have additional controls that work using OpenDNS, and those DO have time-based controls. I think D-Link is the best of these right now, should be under $100 and is a great router in general:
Example:
http://amplifi.dlink.com/products/DIR-645
I like the idea of using the built in parental controls in Windows, also, as another suggested above. If you do that you can still use free OpenDNS and not have to get a new router.
Another thing OpenDNS does: it obscures your internet activities somewhat from your ISP. OpenDNS also has a new encrypted DNS in the works that will be even better when that is fully up. It will fight censorship some. OpenDNS also can block malware and phishing. Most freepers should consider using it when appropriate as part of their online regimen. (Never trust sites 100% however! As much as I like OpenDNS it too could be compromised!)
Get it out of her room. Now.
I could recommend some hardware.
My wireless router has settings for which hours of the day you allow internet access. Cut it off at 11PM.
Seriously?
1. Tell her to get off the computer or you will remove it from her room.
2. Remove it from her room.
I agree. If I had a child, they would be limited to prepaid phones until they were 18, so if they blew through their time, no problem.
Honestly I am dumbfounded that you even allow this. No computer use behind closed doors.
I run a proxy server, which controls their access, time and history. There are no chat rooms allowed. mIRC or any of that nonsense.
There are options in the proxy which allow me to control the hours of access as well.
The other thing is to limit them to user status, no admin rights.
He is controlling his daughter by taking away her internet access at night. Grow a brain.
A pair.
Grow one.
No computers in private spaces
Simpler solution ... take the computer out of her bedroom.
Router access restriction is the easiest way just as some others have mentioned. You can block just her device from the internet for a time block you specify. You will have to password protect the router and make sure she can’t physical get to the router to force a hard reset. At first she wont know what’s happening and will think the internet is just down. Once she catches on you will have to keep an eye on the router to make sure your settings stay in place.
Take a look at a SonicWALL TZ100. You can pretty much do what you like with individual machine access to the Internet.
I can’t believe the number of posters suggesting ways to configure your router to do this. Sure, that’s fine if she can’t connect to four or five of your neighbors’ wireless routers instead.
Does she own a "smartphone?"
Is the computer a desktop or laptop?
The only way I can think of is intercept the cable to her room from the main electrical box, and install a lockable box nearby where you can install a timer. She can have a battery-powered nightlight.
Me?
If it is coming to this, she wouldn't own a computer.
.45 ACP
1. Get the computer out of the bedroom.
2. You can limit the time of use via configuring wireless router or unplug the router as others have said, but her lack of rule-following is becoming your headache. is that fair? so ...
3. Tell her the rules, expect her to follow them, and show her that violations will cause her to lose her computer and you dont want it to come to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrGgPmpfYjk&feature=related
k9webprotection.com - It has all kinds of parental controls including access schedules. And it’s free.
Forget it. Let her learn how to function on minimal sleep. That’s the best advice for kids now.
Multitask away !
(and go to pharmacy school)
Thst. Was. AWESOME!
I’m with the others who have said no computers in the bedroom.
Assuming there is a router, it would have to be in an enclosed, lockable area. Kids are smarter than you think. If they can get to it, they (or their friends) can circumvent the no router issue. Heck, they can make arrangements with a neighbor!
Plus, you don't want the parents to also have curfews.
Pay a computer geek to write a program that will erase her hard drive if she accesses the computer during those hours. Attach the program to a photo of some cute puppies and send it to her email. Then tell her if she gets on the computer after 11, something bad will happen. If she disobeys you, she will learn a real life lesson - ALWAYS LISTEN TO DAD!
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