I'm writing this for my mom and hoping for some practical advice. My brother has been spending a lot of time playing games, developing serious anger problems, and neglecting his health. We're considering blocking the relevant game or website on our shared Wi-Fi, but we don't know much about routers or network settings. What information do we need, and what are the easiest ways to restrict access?
4 Answers
Router blocks are easy to bypass if someone is determined. A VPN, mobile data, another network, or a different device can get around a basic website blacklist. Treat the technical block as one part of a broader plan rather than the main solution.
The exact steps depend on the router, the device, and whether you’re trying to block a website, an online service, or an installed game. Many routers have parental-control or access-control features where you can restrict specific domains or devices. You’ll need the router’s make and model to get precise instructions.
Blocking a site may help limit access, but it probably won’t solve the underlying behavior. Your mom should set clear boundaries around device use and consider talking with a doctor or therapist if the anger and health concerns are severe.
If the goal is to restrict one computer, operating-system tools can block websites or prevent specific programs from accessing the internet. For the whole household, use the router’s access controls instead. Before changing anything, identify the router model, the device being restricted, and the exact game or site involved.
It’s also important to know whether this is happening on a computer, phone, or game console, since device-level controls differ. Blocking the network may not affect apps that use other servers.