How to Block WiFi in Your Child’s Room

With the help of WiFi, children have easy access to information on the Internet. Considering that even younger children explore the Internet, parents/caregivers must provide for their safety.

Nobody desires their children to be targets of hackers-scammers, cyberbullies, and online predators or watch their children turn into tech-addicted gremlins. 

Due to these potential online dangers, parents/caregivers overview the possibility of managing children’s Internet access.

Parents can block WiFi in children’s rooms through router settings, physically blocking the signals, blocking specific devices with filtering, and changing passwords.

Understanding the Need for Digital Boundaries

Children can put themselves in danger by accessing fake websites and trapping themselves in the hands of scammers. By revealing their personal information, they higher the risks of identity theft and other scams. 

Also, children can be tempted by the various contents on the Internet and lose track of time, which can cause addiction. Studies show that about 50% of all children are addicted to tech.

So, balancing children’s online activities with other tech-free activities makes children healthier, but also lets us, parents and caregivers, sleep more peacefully at night.

How WiFi Works: A Brief Overview

WiFi is a radio signal emitted from a wireless router to a tech device. Then, our devices translate the signal into the content we see.

But these signals can be blocked by walls and other objects. That’s why it’s ideal to put your router closer to where you spend the most time.

Pros and Cons of Blocking WiFi

The need for the air that we breathe and WiFi seems to be the same. But we also must admit that creating a tech-free zone may improve our well-being.

·         Pros of Blocking WiFi

Sometimes we need maximum concentration and focus to get the job done. The Internet distracts us and lowers our focus.

Therefore, blocking Internet distractions will provide an environment that motivates children and adults to finish what they’ve started.

Blocking Internet access in children’s rooms will also improve their sleeping habits. Instead of tech, children can read a book before bed.

Besides healthier sleeping, eating, and learning habits, blocking WiFi will protect children from exposure to inappropriate content online.

·         Cons of Blocking WiFi

Children are usually disturbed and nervous when we take away their WiFi. Teens especially react this way because they need the Internet for chatting (or, as they say, researching). 

Problems with the Internet connection in children’s rooms can even cause family arguments. Talk about addiction!

Parental Control Options

Parents’ main concern is to protect their children. So, what parental control options are available and suitable for every household?

·         Router-Based Parental Control Features

With modern routers, parents have maximum control over their children’s access to Internet websites, social media platforms, and screen time.

Accessing parental controls on your router is quite easy. Firstly, type in the admin console of your router on a search engine. Log in, go to Parental Controls, and voila!

Router filters provide restrictions for inappropriate content such as violence, aggression, racism, and adult content. You can even use word filters to restrict content based on topics or keywords.

·         Third-Party Parental Control Software

If you don’t have a modern router, don’t worry, you can always set up third-party parental control software to control your children’s Internet access. 

Parental control apps like Qustodio, mSpy, and Norton Family provide features that block inappropriate content on different websites, restrict access, and limit screen time.

Physical Solutions for Blocking WiFi Signal

You have probably experienced the annoying feeling when the WiFi signal in your room is bad. So, we usually keep the router close to where we spend most of our time.  

But, some objects, such as those made of aluminum, or simply your neighbors that don’t want to pay for the Internet can block these signals.

·         WiFi Signal Blockers

There are some devices called WiFi jammers that physically block the signals that bring data to your device.

Although these devices sound practical, most are illegal to use because they mess around with other communication signals as well.

How do I Block my Kids From Wi-Fi at Night?

Sleeping is essential for our children’s functioning and cognitive development. Without sleep, our children will look like zombies (but not green). 

So, parents can set night-time modes on the household router. This option also protects the home network from hackers.

Children can be irritated by these parental decisions. But, after one week of quality sleep, children will turn the router off by themselves.

Creating a Tech-Safe Bedroom Environment

Switching off the home internet is not always a good idea, especially if we need to work online. But, we can create a separate WiFi-free bedroom zone.

·         Wired Internet Connections

You can use Ethernet cables and physically connect your computer or laptop to the Internet. These Ethernet connections are faster and more stable than WiFi.

You can also set two separate networks on one router and enable a secondary or so-called guest network.

·         Removing WiFi Devices from the Bedroom

A simple way to restrict access to WiFi in your children’s room is by taking away the device that receives WiFi signals.

In other ways, take away your children’s phones. You can also use smart plugs which you can control from a separate app on your phone.

Conclusion

Creating a tech-free bedroom environment will improve your children’s sleeping habits and improve their mental and physical well-being

Switch off your Internet router and let your little ones feel the freedom and explore other means of entertainment, such as books.

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