A Guide to ISP Parental Controls & Online Safety

Last updated: 26 February 2026

ISP web filters: the key takeways

All major broadband providers have filters that block potentially harmful websites
Potentially harmful sites (including Generative AI tools) are enforced to carry out much stricter age checks
This feature is enabled by default
You can customise these filters for different ages groups
Filters may offer scheduling to automatically enable or disable them at specific times
Some sites are permanently blocked and cannot be accessed by disabling the filter

Understanding the UK Online Safety Act: how your broadband provider has to help

You might have heard about the Online Safety Act. It's a major set of UK laws designed to make the internet safer, especially for children.

Your broadband provider is legally required to give you tools to help you block potentially harmful websites and content.

This means:

You have better protection. ISPs must provide ways to filter and restrict access to age-inappropriate content.
There are better age checks. Improved measures for “age assurance” helps prevent children stumbling onto inappropriate websites or other online content.
You have more control. It’s not just about blocking. You now have more control over content filters and other means to set digital boundaries.

How ISP parental controls protect your household

Network-level web filters are helpful as they’re enforced by default.

Unlike software that blocks access to one device, filters are applied to every device connected to your home Wi-Fi. So even if your kid brings a friend over with their own tablet or laptop, they’ll be protected.

You don’t need to install additional software. All devices are protected, including internet access through games consoles and Smart TVs.

Age-Assurance Settings for Children

New age-assurance measures means hosts of sensitive materials must now estimate or verify a user’s age.

We’re not just talking about ticking boxes to say you’re an adult. The methods need to be far more secure, such as using facial age estimation or using credit card checks.

You have some control over these age thresholds. By putting these in place:

Younger children can only access pre-moderated content or specific sites
Teenagers can access social networks and games, but still be protected from other risky types of content. They also have better protection over phishing and malware
Household boundaries are respected through ‘watershed’ features. These automatically adjust filter levels during the day and night.

Managing AI Safety

The Online Safety Act 2023 was designed to be ‘future-proof’. So the good news is that it legally treats AI-generated imagery in the same was as human-created content.

This means:

Any platform that allows users to share content generated by an AI agent must meet strict safety duties.
AI tools are strictly prohibited from creating synthesised adult content
AI services must block the generation of illegal or harmful content

Whilst AI does bring new risks, it’s also a great tool for managing them.

For example, smart filters can scan the content of an AI-generated page. It can then check for inappropriate material and block it instantly if it’s considered unsafe.

Taking control: managing internet safety with help from your provider

Every provider has its own name for content filtering, and the choice of settings varies.

Here’s a quick guide to web filters for some of the more popular ISPs.

If yours isn’t listed, check the online help pages or contact your provider’s support for more information.

Sky Broadband Shield Setup
- Log in to Sky Broadband Shield with your Sky ID account
- Choose the simple age-rated badges (PG, 13, or 18)
- If there are no kids at home, it’s still recommended to choose ‘18’ as it will block malware and phishing sites
- Pro tip: Use the ‘Watershed’ feature to automatically relax the filters after the kids are in bed.
BT Parental Controls
- Log in to My BT. Find ‘Manage your extras’ and flick the ‘Parental Controls’ switch to ‘on’
- You can choose between Light, Moderate or Strict filters, depending on the age of your children.
TalkTalk HomeSafe
- Log in to your TalkTalk account page
- Toggle ‘Homesafe’ in your account area (it will be highlighted green when active)
- Confirm your settings by clicking the blue save changes button
- ‘Homework Time’ also allows you to temporarily restrict social media and gaming sites during study hours.
Virgin Media Essential Security
- Log in to your My Virgin Media account
- Head to Account Settings > Online Security > Essential Security (this is automatically turned ‘on’ by default
- This ‘master switch’ will protect every table, phone, and console in the house.
Managing Three Broadband safety settings
- Open the Three app
- Select Manage Plan > Controls and make sure ‘Allow adult content’ is switched ‘off’.

Web filtering for mobiles

Mobile networks don’t always offer the same level of control as home broadband providers. Filter may be either ‘on’ or ‘off’, with no way to customise settings.

More information about controlling the filters can be found on these network support pages:

Safety checklist

Review your settings regularly
As your children grow, you may need to adjust your “age-assurance filters”.
Think about mobile use
ISP blocking services won’t help keep your children safe if they connect to online services using mobile data. You will need to make use of separate apps to help you with this.
Have open discussions with your children
There’s no 100% foolproof way to keep children safe online. Talk to your children to explain why these safeguards exist.
Review your settings regularly
As your children grow, you may have to adjust your “age-assurance filters”.

Setting up ISP Parental Controls: a guide to managing home internet safety