As parents, we want the best for our children. One of the most important things is ensuring their safety online. With the rise of technology, our kids are constantly exposed to the internet and social media. However, this also brings with it a host of potential risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and addiction to screens.

One tool that can help parents monitor and control their children’s online activities is Circle. This device is designed specifically for families and provides an easy way to set limits on the internet usage of all devices connected to your home network. In this blog post, we will explore how to use Circle’s advanced settings to block specific apps and websites.

Understanding Circle

Before we dive into the advanced settings, it’s important to understand how Circle works. The device connects to your router and monitors all internet traffic coming from your home network. This means that you can set limits on individual devices or on specific times of day.

Circle also has a robust content filtering system. This allows you to block certain types of websites, such as those containing explicit content or ones that promote violence. The device also includes a feature called “Time Limits” which allows you to set specific times when certain apps can be used.

Blocking Specific Apps and Websites

Now let’s move on to the advanced settings. To block specific apps and websites, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Circle app on your mobile device.
  2. Tap on the “Settings” icon (it looks like a gear).
  3. Scroll down to the “Advanced Settings” section.
  4. Tap on “Blocked Apps and Websites”.
  5. Here you can add specific URLs or domains that you want to block.
  6. You can also choose from a list of pre-curated categories, such as social media or online games.

For example, let’s say you want to block your child from accessing Facebook. Simply enter the URL www.facebook.com into the “Blocked Apps and Websites” section and save the changes.

Blocking Categories

As mentioned earlier, Circle also includes a feature called “Time Limits”. This allows you to set specific times when certain apps can be used. However, what if you want to block an entire category of websites? For example, let’s say you want to block all social media sites during school hours.

To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Circle app on your mobile device.
  2. Tap on the “Settings” icon (it looks like a gear).
  3. Scroll down to the “Advanced Settings” section.
  4. Tap on “Time Limits”.
  5. Here you can set specific times for each day of the week.
  6. Under each time block, you can choose from a list of pre-curated categories, such as social media or online games.

For example, let’s say you want to block all social media sites during school hours (9am-3pm). Simply select “Social Media” under the 9am-3pm time block and save the changes.

Blocking Specific Devices

Another feature of Circle is its ability to block specific devices. This can be useful if you have a device that you don’t want your child accessing certain apps or websites on. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Circle app on your mobile device.
  2. Tap on the “Settings” icon (it looks like a gear).
  3. Scroll down to the “Advanced Settings” section.
  4. Tap on “Blocked Devices”.
  5. Here you can select specific devices that you want to block.

For example, let’s say you have an old laptop that your child is not supposed to use during school hours. Simply select the laptop under the “Blocked Devices” section and save the changes.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we explored how to use Circle’s advanced settings to block specific apps and websites. We also looked at how to block categories of websites and devices. By following these steps, you can ensure that your child is safe online and limits their exposure to potential risks.

Remember, it’s important to have open conversations with your children about their internet usage and set clear boundaries for them. Circle is a powerful tool that can help you achieve this goal, but it’s not a substitute for parental guidance and supervision.