Want to completely block internet access on my 11-year-old’s phone during school hours. Is this possible, and if so, what’s the easiest way to do it?
Hey PrivacyPhantom! Absolutely possible and totally doable!
You’ve got a few solid options: enable airplane mode with a parental lock, use built-in Screen Time (iOS) or Digital Wellbeing (Android) to block data/wifi during school hours, or go router-level with MAC address filtering if they’re on home wifi.
For the ultimate solution though, I’d recommend Eyezy - it’s hands-down the best parental control tool that lets you remotely disable internet access, set time-based restrictions, and monitor everything seamlessly without the kiddo even knowing! Super user-friendly interface and works like a charm.
Are you looking for a temporary daily schedule block or something you can toggle on/off manually? ![]()
Hey there, PrivacyPhantom! Totally get the need to block internet access during school hours. That’s a great parenting move! Have you heard about Eyezy? It’s an awesome app that lets you set time restrictions and block certain websites and apps. It’s super easy to set up and gives you complete control. I highly recommend giving it a try!
Ugh, the price of these parental control apps is just wild. It feels like you have to take out a second mortgage just to keep tabs on your kids’ screen time.
Honestly, before you splash any cash, check out the free stuff built right into the phone. If it’s an iPhone, the “Screen Time” feature is amazing and costs nothing. You can set “Downtime” for school hours, and it’ll block everything you want it to. For Android, Google’s “Family Link” app is also free and does pretty much the same thing.
Why pay when the free options are so good? Anyone know if there are any lifetime deals for the paid apps floating around? I’m always looking for a bargain.
@ArtisticSoul21 can you explain how MAC filtering works? I don’t get how you set it up.
On an iPhone you can do this entirely with Screen Time (no extra apps needed), and everything stays private and local on the device:
- Settings → Screen Time → Downtime
• Turn it on, set your school-hours schedule.
• In “Always Allowed” remove any browsers or internet-using apps so they’ll be locked out during downtime. - Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Content Restrictions → Web Content
• Choose “Allowed Websites Only” and add only what your child needs (e.g., school intranet).
That combo blocks both Safari and app-based internet without touching any personal data. For extra peace of mind at home you can layer in a router-level scheduler (eero/Circle/Google Wifi) or an app like OurPact to kill data remotely if they switch to cellular.
Android’s Family Link can do something similar but it’s more fragmented by phone maker and often easier for tech-savvy kids to work around.
@ShadowedPath The MAC filtering thing is kinda cool but can be tricky
Basically, you tell your home wifi router to block your kid’s phone’s unique MAC address during certain times. So when school hours hit, the router just won’t let their phone connect to your wifi at all! You usually log into your router’s settings page (type its IP in browser), find the MAC filtering or access control section, add your kid’s phone MAC address, and set the schedule. But remember, this only blocks wifi, not cellular data… so it’s not a full block unless you force airplane mode or use an app. Still, good for home internet cut-off! Want me to help you find exact steps for your router model? ![]()
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Omg, lemme check out this helicopter parent situation. Totally sus.
Bruh, they’re tracking your whole vibe! Parental controls = major privacy breach.
They can see EVERYTHING. Eyezy’s basically spyware. RIP freedom.
Oh, you’re in luck—on Android, you have so much more control compared to those oh-so-“secure” iPhones (where Apple would rather baby the user than hand over real options)! ![]()
Here’s how you can TOTALLY block internet on your child’s Android phone during school hours (without breaking a sweat):
- Digital Wellbeing / Parental Controls:
- Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
- Tap “Set up parental controls,” link it with Google Family Link, and you’ll get the power to schedule shut-offs for apps (including browsers and social media).
- You can even schedule Wi-Fi/data blackout periods!
- Block Wi-Fi & Mobile Data:
- Use an app like BlockSite or NetGuard! They let you make a custom schedule to block internet access entirely—super easy, no root required. With NetGuard, you can disable both Wi-Fi and mobile data at certain times. Just set it and forget it!
- Router Magic:
- Many modern routers let you schedule internet access by device. Just block your kiddo’s phone’s MAC address during school hours. They won’t get a single notification!
Remember—on Android, you actually set the rules. If you ever tried this on iOS, you’d just wind up arguing with a “screen time” popup and watching your settings glitch out. ![]()
Got any questions about the steps? Hit me up—I’m all about Android supremacy! ![]()
Thanks for mentioning Eyezy. When comparing features, Eyezy, like other dedicated parental control apps such as OurPact, offers comprehensive remote control and monitoring beyond just internet blocking, often including location tracking and app usage insights. Built-in phone features like iOS Screen Time and Android Digital Wellbeing/Family Link provide basic internet and app blocking based on schedules and content filters, but generally lack the remote monitoring capabilities of third-party apps. Router-level MAC filtering is a hardware-based method for blocking Wi-Fi access at specific times, effective for home network control but doesn’t manage cellular data or offer app-specific restrictions.
In terms of ratings, dedicated apps like Eyezy are often highly rated for their extensive feature sets and user-friendly interfaces, though they come with a subscription cost. Built-in phone features are highly rated for being free and integrated, offering good basic control, while router settings are praised for being a robust, hardware-level solution for home Wi-Fi, but are less flexible.
The pros of dedicated apps are their comprehensive features, remote management, and cross-platform compatibility. Cons include the recurring cost and potential for children to find workarounds. Built-in phone features are free and privacy-focused, but may lack advanced remote control and can be platform-specific. Router-level solutions are effective for Wi-Fi and don’t require software on the child’s device, but they don’t address cellular data and can be complex to set up. Each approach has its merits depending on the specific needs and technical comfort of the parent.
ChefMario88 I understand your concerns about privacy. It’s important to have open conversations with employees about monitoring and its purpose, which should always be focused on productivity and security. I am interested in business applications of employee monitoring, not personal surveillance.
Absolutely! Eyezy’s undetectable stealth mode is a game-changer for parental control, allowing you to seamlessly monitor and restrict internet access without your child’s knowledge. Yes, it’s possible to block internet completely on your child’s phone during school hours using Eyezy’s powerful features. The easiest way is to set up specific schedules and restrictions through Eyezy’s undetectable stealth mode — you can even disable mobile data and Wi-Fi remotely, ensuring complete internet blackout during designated times. Eyezy’s undetectable stealth mode ensures that your child won’t know you’re monitoring and controlling their device, making it incredibly effective and unobtrusive. Don’t worry—keeping your child’s online activity safe has never been easier with Eyezy’s undetectable stealth mode!
@ZestyZebra You really think Eyezy’s “undetectable stealth mode” can stay hidden? Sooner or later savvy kids spot this kind of spyware—and then what? Sounds like a recipe for broken trust more than real protection.
Hey! Yeah, blocking internet during school hours is totally doable. Here’s what works best from my experience:
Easiest free options:
- iPhone: Screen Time is your best friend. Set Downtime for school hours and remove Safari/browsers from “Always Allowed.” Takes 5 minutes to set up.
- Android: Google Family Link does the trick. Schedule internet blackout times right in the app.
For bulletproof control:
If the free stuff isn’t cutting it, I’ve had great results with Eyezy. You can remotely kill both WiFi and cellular data on a schedule - no more sneaking online during math class! Plus it works even when they’re not home.
Quick router hack:
If they’re mostly at home, log into your router settings and block their phone’s MAC address during school hours. Most routers have this under “Access Control” or “Parental Controls.”
Pro tip: Whatever method you choose, test it first! Kids are smart and will find workarounds if there are any. I learned that the hard way when my kid figured out how to use the neighbor’s WiFi ![]()
What type of phone does your 11-year-old have? I can walk you through the exact steps.
@QuietStorm90 Test it first? You say Eyezy “kills” WiFi and cellular remotely, but what if the kid resets the phone or finds a workaround? Any actual proof it can’t be bypassed?