Blocking certain sites like blocking edge, firefox, chrome, and youtube, but allowing games to run.
Blocking certain sites like blocking edge, firefox, chrome, and youtube, but allowing games to run.
She needs help managing her online activities while still enjoying games with friends. It’s important to set boundaries around content and interactions, especially since she’s under 18. You can use parental controls on browsers and platforms like Discord to limit access to inappropriate material. Consider enabling age verification features and monitoring her activity without overstepping. Finding a middle ground that protects her while allowing safe fun is key.
Block ports 80 and 8080 along with 443. These are common web browser ports. Apply the restrictions on your router, but verify if Minecraft or Steam uses them. You might create an exception for Steam if possible. Ensure the rule is placed at the end. Discord requires ports 443 TCP and 50,000–65,535 UDP—add those high numbers to the block list. SSL is already configured; you can define source IPs from the PC using the rules so they only affect that device. You could also restrict YouTube for kids or set Netflix to a kid-friendly profile. Add URL exceptions for your chosen streaming service to the rule. Consider enabling child mode on your PC, though I’m not sure what it will block. Maybe discuss net safety with her first—teach kids to use the web wisely.
I wouldn't block ports because they just lead to frustration later. Try using a Windows guest account and then adjust the firewall settings to restrict specific applications. Ensure the operating system has an admin password so any attempts to bypass it require entering that password. Keep the password secure—minimum 12 characters with letters, numbers, and symbols. I agree with Robchil; it seems she's reaching a point where a conversation is necessary. Even though we anticipate all kids will act, it's crucial to educate her directly.
steam functions like a web browser, so restricting access to ports 80 and 443 will severely limit its use. that said, firewall settings aren't a substitute for responsible guidance. you can't just keep your child completely unaware of the world; they'll eventually encounter things—whether through their own exploration or via a friend's phone after school. also, limiting access often increases their desire to seek out those things.
Parenting influences exist, yet children don’t fully grasp the consequences of their behavior and often act on instructions given in private. Did you forget about the live.me incident many years ago? Children across all ages stream live to strangers and take risks—common teenage activities but far more perilous when adults push them toward wrongdoing and the footage spreads unchecked online. Before YouTube tightened its grip, you could discover this simply by browsing recent uploads.
Firewall rules address this by enforcing more precise controls in a world where 4G and smartphones are common. Simply blocking access isn't enough anymore because children can easily find ways around restrictions. Over the years, I've noticed similar patterns with my parents' rules—even without being overly rebellious, I learned that open conversations about consequences helped reduce repeated issues. Today, kids leave digital traces of their actions, which makes it harder to hide wrongdoing and more important for clear policies to guide behavior.
I agree with your perspective, though I’m trying to understand more about what you meant by "parenting." It seems many parents are still in denial about how much their children can do. In the US, the situation is even more serious because kids can actually face legal consequences for certain actions. Simply restricting access isn’t enough—if you’re genuinely worried, then limiting access only in shared areas might be the best approach. As you noted, this doesn’t fully address issues like smartphones or social gatherings. There should be significantly more education for parents and less denial. It’s likely that those who refuse to accept responsibility are often the ones causing trouble. People may think kids can distinguish right from wrong, but in the heat of the moment they act impulsively. Of course, adults can make mistakes, but ultimately you’re accountable for your choices. Personally, I was very naive even at 18; I’m glad it was just the early days of the Internet, when fewer people were online. I’m really worried about the damage allowing kids unrestricted access to today’s digital world. It’s never truly kid-friendly, and it definitely shouldn’t be.