How do I limit access to specific devices access to broadband for specific times of the day ?

[tag123]

I want to limit my kid's devices acess to the internet. Can anyone tell me how I can do this ? I'd like to disable after a certain time, the scheduling functionality looked ideal, but I don't know how to add devices to a named schedule

[Jayach]

I never use the app, far prefer to use the router GUI, however I just tried it and I have the options of. 1H, 2H, 4H, 8H or forever.

App version 4.6.5.

[DivadRede]

Thanks so much replying @Jayach  - I've got version 4.6.5 of the app too but I literally can't see where to set the duration  

Guest wifi settings only show options for viewing, changing and sharing network name and password. 

[Jayach]

From the dashboard, I select "Set up Guest Wi-Fi.

On the next page there is Network name and Password with Duration below.

The app won't let me take a screenshot.

I wonder if it's because of the router, I've got the THG3000, and I don't have any extenders.

[Jayach]

Ah, but you do need to select the edit (pencil icon) alongside the Network mame to change the duration.

[shaigh]

I missed this in the literature before opening a broadband account. This is a key tool for all parents of kids of a certain age.  Please, please, please Vodafone you need to add this feature.  Other providers have offered this for years.  Automating this feature is key to happy households up and down the country. 

I look forward to hearing something positive back from you Vodafone.

[Anonymous]

Do you currently use the Vodafone Broadband app @shaigh? With our Wi-fi Scheduler, you can set custom online and offline WiFi times that work around you. We're always looking to update and improve our services, so I'd recommend keeping an eye on our website and Social Media channels for exciting updates!

[shaigh]

Hi Jack

Yes I have the app but it is impractical to turn off the whole internet or guest internet to limit the younger kids access to the www when its bedtime.  With our previous provider EE we could set access times for all the kids device TV's, PC's, tablets and phones but leaving other devices with full access. Making kids bedtime a routine rather than game of hide and seek!

Look forward to hearing about Vodafone's offering

[Papatronski]

Hello Jack.  Your other respondent is being very polite but has no answer I see. 

well how about you sort this out ?

this is fundamental to managing internet for the family. I have a teenager who simply can’t be trusted. He waits until I’ve gone to sleep and then uses his computer. It’s not practical to have his computer in another room because of the size and layout of our house. 

why can’t you manage such a basic thing as being able to schedule which device is on the internet? Or at the very least schedule the guest WiFi (which is not an ideal solution because guest WiFi does not allow networking between different computers in the house )

this sucks and because of this I will have to change broadband provider when my contract runs out 

[Dwarfy]

I used to use a 3rd party router and set parental controls, of which I could set internet access times for both wired and wireless clients. I had to use a 3rd party router for this (TP Link Archer VR2800).

Now that I have upgraded to Gigafast I find I'm in the same boat and find the Vodafone supplied router so incredibly basic, that even expert mode is laughable.

I've managed to connect my old router and use the parental controls on there but this has had a unwelcome side effect on speeds and I need to find another way.

It would seem that anyone who wants and needs more control for larger familys is required to buy a 3rd party router to gain decent functuality.

I get that the supplied router is free but sheesh please give some decent functions other than the absolute sheer basics.

If that can't be done then at the very least have a bonafide list of supported 3rd party routers and clear instructions on connecting them to the network. You'd not even have to offer full support on these modems as like the community has for years they will support themselves, so the only thing we'd need to do is keep the basic vodafone modem for line testing incase of problems.

We're not asking for much just something better than what it supplied now, and the app is laughable in it's uselessness.

[Papatronski]

Yes I spent a lot of time yesterday looking at third party routers but it is hard to find one that does what I want and the ones that do seem to be upwards of £100 so I think I’ll just stop my kid’s internet manually! 
some have suggested that Vodafone don’t want to help in this regard because they are worried they will get blamed for kids accessing inappropriate content when the function doesn’t perform as it should or someone applies it incorrectly. 
I still can’t believe it’s so difficult given all the other things that are possible with technology.