Guides for parents
Every device, every app, explained in plain English.
Step-by-step help for the things parents actually search at 10 p.m.: blocking an app, setting up a router, getting a new phone ready. Written for parents, not IT people.
Getting started
New to parental controls? Start here.
- What is DNS filtering, and why do parents use it?DNS filtering blocks bad sites and apps before they load, on every device, with no app on your child's phone. Here is how it works and what it can't do.
- Set up Sheepdog Filter in five minutesCreate a free account, add your kids, and protect their first device in about five minutes. Then cover the whole house with one router setting.
- Your child's first phone: a setup checklist for parentsA practical checklist for setting up a child's first iPhone or Android: accounts, app approvals, filtering, bedtime and the conversation that matters most.
- How kids get around parental controls (and how to stop it)VPNs, proxy sites, mobile data, factory resets and changing DNS: the common tricks kids use to bypass filters, and the simple fixes for each.
- Parental control settings by age: under 8, 8 to 12, and teensWhat to block, what to allow, and when to loosen up, for young kids, tweens and teens. Simple, sensible defaults you can copy.
- Parental controls for teens that don't wreck your relationshipTeens need more freedom and some guardrails. What to keep blocked at 13 to 17, what to loosen, and how to set it up so it feels fair rather than spying.
Phones, tablets and computers
Set up each device your kids use, step by step.
- How to set up parental controls on an iPhone or iPadBlock adult sites, risky apps and VPNs on your child's iPhone or iPad, on Wi-Fi and mobile data. Screen Time basics plus whole-device filtering.
- How to set up parental controls on an Android phoneFilter every app and browser on your child's Android phone or tablet, on Wi-Fi and mobile data, using Private DNS and Google Family Link.
- How to set up parental controls on a ChromebookBlock adult sites, games and social media on your child's Chromebook, including Android apps, with one secure DNS setting. Plus Family Link basics.
- How to set up parental controls on a Windows PCFilter websites, games and apps on a Windows 11 PC with encrypted DNS, plus Microsoft Family Safety and a Standard account so it can't be undone.
- How to set up parental controls on a MacUse Screen Time and a Sheepdog Filter profile to block adult sites, games and social media in every browser and app on your child's Mac.
- How to set up parental controls on an Amazon Fire tabletAmazon Kids profiles plus home Wi-Fi filtering: the simplest way to keep a Fire tablet safe, including the Silk browser and apps.
- How to block websites on Chrome (every computer and phone)Chrome has no built-in way to block a site for kids. Set one secure DNS setting and every site you choose is blocked in Chrome, incognito included.
Game consoles and TVs
Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and the TV in the living room.
- How to set up parental controls on an XboxUse the Xbox Family Settings app for screen time, purchases and chat, then filter the Xbox's web browser and apps at your router or on the console.
- How to set up parental controls on a PlayStation 5 or PS4Set up PlayStation Family Management for age ratings, playtime and chat, then add DNS filtering to control online access and bedtime.
- How to set up parental controls on a Nintendo SwitchUse Nintendo's free Parental Controls app for play time and ratings, and add DNS filtering for online play, bedtime and homework time.
- Parental controls for smart TVs, Roku and Fire TVLock down YouTube, apps and browsing on smart TVs, Roku and Fire TV sticks with built-in PINs and one home router setting.
Home Wi‑Fi routers
One setting on your router covers every device at home.
- How to put parental controls on your home Wi‑FiFilter every phone, tablet, TV and console in the house with one router setting. Works with eero, Deco, Nest Wifi, Netgear, ASUS and most others.
- How to set up parental controls on a TP-Link DecoChange the DNS in the Deco app to filter every device on your Deco mesh Wi-Fi: adult sites, gambling, games and social media, with one switch each.
- How to set up parental controls on eeroTurn on Custom DNS in the eero app to filter adult sites, games, social media and apps on every device, without paying for eero Plus.
- How to set up parental controls on Google Nest WifiSet custom DNS in the Google Home app to filter every device on Google Nest Wifi or Google Wifi, beyond Google's basic SafeSearch filter.
- How to set up parental controls on a Netgear Orbi or NighthawkChange the DNS on a Netgear Orbi or Nighthawk router to filter every device, without a Netgear Armor or Smart Parental Controls subscription.
- How to set up parental controls on an ASUS routerSet custom DNS on an ASUS router (including ZenWiFi and ROG) to filter adult sites, games and social media on every device at home.
- How to set up parental controls on a TP-Link Archer routerSet custom DNS on a TP-Link Archer router at tplinkwifi.net to filter every device in the house, with per-child rules and bedtime.
- Parental controls with an Xfinity, AT&T, Spectrum or Verizon routerMany internet-company routers lock the DNS setting. Here are the options that do work, from per-device setup to adding your own mesh router.
- Starlink parental controls: how to filter every deviceStarlink's app can pause devices but has no content filter. Here's how to block adult sites, games and apps on Starlink, with or without your own router.
- Parental controls on T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T 5G home internet5G home internet gateways often can't change DNS. Here's how to filter adult sites, apps and games on T-Mobile, Verizon or AT&T 5G home internet anyway.
- How to set up parental controls on a Linksys or Velop routerChange DNS in the Linksys app or web page to filter adult sites, games and social media on every device on your Linksys or Velop Wi-Fi.
Apps and games
How to block, limit or time the apps kids ask about most.
- How to block TikTok on your child's phone and home Wi‑FiBlock TikTok in the app and browser on every device, or just at bedtime and homework time. Works on iPhone, Android, tablets and your whole home Wi-Fi.
- How to block Roblox, or limit it to certain timesBlock Roblox on Chromebook, iPad, PC, Xbox and phones, or allow it only after homework. Plus Roblox's own parental controls for chat and spending.
- How to block Fortnite or limit it to certain hoursStop Fortnite online play on any console, PC or phone, or allow it only on weekends. Plus Epic Games' parental controls for chat and purchases.
- How to block YouTube, or make it safer, on every deviceForce YouTube Restricted Mode on every device, block YouTube at bedtime or during homework, or block it entirely. Including the truth about Shorts.
- How to block Snapchat, or make it safer for teensBlock Snapchat on every device, or keep it and set Snap Map, contact and Family Center settings for teens. What a filter can and can't do.
- How to block Instagram on your child's devicesBlock Instagram on iPhone, Android and home Wi-Fi, or only at bedtime. Plus Instagram Teen Accounts and supervision settings.
- How to block Discord, or make it saferBlock Discord on every device, or allow it with Family Center and safe messaging settings. Why parents worry about Discord, explained simply.
- How to block ChatGPT and other AI chatbots for kidsBlock ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, Meta AI, Grok and homework-answer apps, or allow them only outside homework time. One switch each.
- How to block Character.AI and AI companion appsBlock Character.AI, Replika, Talkie, Chai, PolyBuzz and other AI companion apps on every device. Why they're different from homework AI.
- How to block Minecraft online play, or limit itStop Minecraft multiplayer and servers on any device, or allow them at set times. Plus Microsoft's Xbox settings for Minecraft chat.
- How to block Steam and PC games, or limit themBlock Steam, Epic, Battle.net, Riot and EA on your child's PC or Mac, or allow games only after homework. One switch per launcher.
- How to block WhatsApp on your child's phone (or make it safer)Block WhatsApp on iPhone, Android and home Wi-Fi, or allow it only in the daytime. Plus the WhatsApp privacy settings every parent should change.
- Netflix parental controls: kids' profiles, PINs and bedtimeSet up a Netflix Kids profile, maturity ratings and a profile PIN, then use Sheepdog Filter to switch Netflix off at bedtime on every TV, tablet and phone.
- How to block Twitch and live streaming sites for kidsBlock Twitch, Kick and other live streaming sites on phones, PCs, consoles and TVs, or allow them only at weekends. Plus why live chat is the real worry.
- How to block Reddit on your child's phone and computerReddit hosts adult communities a click away from homework help. Block Reddit's app and website on every device, or only at night, with one switch.
- How to block Omegle-style video chat with strangersOmegle closed, but dozens of copycat stranger video chat sites and apps took its place. Block OmeTV, Chatroulette, Monkey and the rest with one switch.
Common worries
Adult sites, gambling, VPNs, bedtime and more.
- How to block adult sites on every device in your homeBlock adult and explicit sites on every phone, tablet, laptop and TV, at home and on mobile data, with SafeSearch forced on. Free, five-minute setup.
- How to block gambling and betting sites and appsBlock sports betting, online casinos, sweepstakes casinos and gambling apps on every device. Why it matters more now that betting ads are everywhere.
- How to turn off the internet at bedtime for your kidsSet an automatic internet bedtime for each child's devices, on Wi-Fi and mobile data, without unplugging the router or turning off your own Wi-Fi.
- How to block games and social media during homework timePause games, YouTube and social media until homework is done, with one tap or on a weekday schedule, while school sites keep working.
- How to force SafeSearch on Google, Bing and YouTubeLock SafeSearch on for Google, Bing and DuckDuckGo, and YouTube Restricted Mode, on every device and browser, so kids can't switch it off.
- How to stop kids using VPNs and proxy sitesBlock VPN apps, web proxies and "unblocked games" sites that kids use to bypass parental controls, and lock app installs so they can't add new ones.
- How to block ads and trackers on your kids' devicesCut out most ads and tracking in apps and games on every device with one switch. Fewer pop-ups, fewer scams, and less data collected about your kids.
- How to protect your kids from scams, phishing and malwareBlock known scam, phishing and malware sites on every device, plus a simple talk to have with kids about fake prizes, free Robux and stranger links.
- How to know when your child starts using a new appGet an email when your child starts using an app for the first time, with one tap to block it, without reading their messages or installing anything.
- How to block a website on every device in your houseBlock any website on your kids' phones, tablets, computers and home Wi-Fi in one place, for free. Works in every browser, including private mode.
- Parental controls at the grandparents' houseKids spend weekends and summers at their grandparents'. How to make that Wi-Fi as safe as yours at home, and protect grandparents from scams at the same time. Free.
- Protect your older parents from online scamsFake bank pages, tech-support pop-ups and phishing texts target older adults. A simple filter on their Wi-Fi and phone blocks scam sites before they load.
For churches, youth groups and camps
Safe Wi‑Fi for your building, and help for your families at home.
- How to filter your church's Wi‑FiBlock adult sites, gambling and scams on your church's guest Wi-Fi with one router setting. Works with any router, no IT staff needed.
- Is your church's guest Wi‑Fi safe for kids?Open church Wi-Fi lets any phone reach adult sites, gambling and scams. What the risks are, and the simple fix most churches can make in an afternoon.
- How churches can help families with internet safetyKids spend a few hours a week at church and the rest at home. Simple ways a church can help parents protect their kids online, starting this Sunday.
- Wi‑Fi filtering for camps, youth groups and clubsFilter the Wi-Fi at your summer camp, youth group, scout troop or club: adult sites, gambling, scams and VPN tricks blocked on every kid's phone. Free.
For schools, co-ops and libraries
Block games, proxies and VPNs on campus and on every Chromebook, and keep CIPA records.
- How to set up a content filter on your school's Wi‑FiFilter every device on your school network in an afternoon: one DNS setting on your router or firewall. Blocks games, proxies, VPNs, social media and adult sites.
- How to filter every school Chromebook with Google AdminPush one secure DNS (DNS-over-HTTPS) policy in the Google Admin console and every managed Chromebook is filtered at school, at home and on a hotspot.
- How to block "unblocked games" at schoolUnblocked games sites are copycat mirrors made to slip past school filters. Why most filters miss them, and how to block new ones as fast as they appear.
- CIPA compliance: what your school's web filter has to doWhat CIPA requires of an E-Rate school's web filter, what it requires of the school itself, and how to keep a record for your E-Rate files.
- Internet safety policy template for schools (CIPA)A plain-English Internet safety policy template covering every element CIPA requires, ready to adapt and adopt at a public board meeting.
- A CIPA internet filter for public librariesA simple CIPA internet filter for public libraries: adult content blocked on public Wi-Fi, adults can ask for sites, and a dated report for E-Rate.
- Internet filtering for homeschool co-ops and microschoolsFilter your homeschool co-op or microschool Wi-Fi: games, social media, VPNs and adult sites blocked, plus a free link for families to protect home too.
For businesses and rentals
Safe guest Wi‑Fi for cafés, offices, waiting rooms and vacation rentals.
- How to filter your business's guest Wi‑FiBlock adult sites, malware and phishing on your café, office or waiting-room guest Wi-Fi with one router setting. No hardware, no IT staff, free to start.
- Family-safe Wi‑Fi for your Airbnb or vacation rentalMake your Airbnb or vacation rental's Wi-Fi family-safe: block adult sites, malware and scams for every guest with one router setting. Free to start.
- Block phishing and malware on your office Wi‑FiSmall offices, dental and medical practices: block phishing pages, malware and scam sites for staff and visitors with one router setting. Free to start.
Accountability for adults
Filter your own devices, with a partner who gets an honest report.
- Sheepdog Filter vs Covenant Eyes: a fair comparisonCovenant Eyes uses screenshots and an app on each device. Sheepdog Filter blocks porn at the DNS level and sends your partner a short report, no screenshots.
- What is accountability software, and does it help?Accountability software pairs a porn filter with a partner who sees a report. How the different kinds work, what actually helps, and what to look for.
- How to choose an accountability partner (and be a good one)Who makes a good accountability partner, what to agree on at the start, and how to respond to a hard report with kindness instead of a lecture.
- How to block porn on your own phone and computer (for good)Built-in blockers are easy to switch off. How to block porn on your own iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows PC in a way that holds, with a partner as backup.
Comparisons
How Sheepdog Filter stacks up against other options.
- Sheepdog Filter vs NextDNS: a simpler choice for parentsNextDNS is powerful but built for tech-savvy users. Sheepdog Filter uses the same kind of DNS filtering, with per-child rules, bedtimes and plain-English reports.
- Sheepdog Filter vs OpenDNS FamilyShieldOpenDNS FamilyShield is a free, fixed adult-content filter. Sheepdog Filter adds per-child rules, app blocking, bedtimes, VPN blocking and weekly reports.
- Sheepdog Filter vs Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for FamiliesCloudflare's 1.1.1.3 blocks malware and adult content for free, but has no settings. Sheepdog Filter adds per-child rules, schedules and reports.
- Free parental controls compared: built-in, DNS filters and appsScreen Time, Family Link, router filters, DNS filters and monitoring apps: what each kind of parental control is good at, and how to combine them.
- Sheepdog Filter vs Bark: filtering or monitoring?Bark reads messages and alerts you to danger. Sheepdog Filter blocks harmful sites and apps on every device without reading anything. Which fits your family?
- Sheepdog Filter vs Qustodio: which is simpler for your family?Qustodio is an all-in-one app installed on each device. Sheepdog Filter filters every device, TVs and consoles included, with nothing to install. A fair comparison.
- Sheepdog Filter vs Circle parental controlsCircle filters through an app and, in the past, a home box. Sheepdog Filter needs neither: one setting per device or router filters everything. How they compare.
- Google Family Link and Sheepdog Filter: what each one doesFamily Link manages apps and screen time on Android and Chromebooks. Here's what it doesn't filter, and how a DNS filter fills the gaps on every device.
- Is Apple Screen Time enough? What it misses, and how to fill the gapsScreen Time is free and worth using on every iPhone and iPad. Here's what its web filter misses, and how a DNS filter covers apps, browsers and other devices.
- The best parental controls in 2026: an honest guide by needThe right parental control depends on what you're worried about. An honest look at filters, built-in controls and monitoring apps, and what we'd pick for each need.
No guide for that yet. Email hello@sheepdogfilter.com and we'll write it.