What is Browser Parental Controls?

A parent recently asked me to install parental controls on their children's web browser. That turned out to be difficult, because I found the existing options privacy-invasive, potentially ineffective, or complicated!

I made "Browser Parental Controls" so parents can easily allow or block a list of websites without giving up privacy or parental authority.

"Browser Parental Controls" works on Windows with Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge web browsers.

How do I use Browser Parental Controls?

1. Uninstall all browsers except Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge from the computer your child uses. (Why? How?)
2. Recommended but optional: Ensure your child's computer user account is a standard account, not an administrator account.
   • If your child already has their own account on this computer, check that it is not an administrator account.
   • If your child currently shares an account with you or is the only user of the computer, make a separate, standard user account for him or her.
3. Download the software, and unzip it in your Downloads folder.
4. Move the new "Browser Parental Controls" folder to a convenient location (for example, a USB thumb drive).
5. Log into your child's computer account, and double-click "Browser Parental Controls.exe" in the extracted folder.
   • If a blue box says, "Windows protected your PC", click "More info" and then "Run anyway".
   • (NOTE: Never click "Run anyway" unless you trust the source of the software!)
6. Enter your administrator password in the "User Account Control" pop up.
7. Configure your allow or block list! Don't forget to click "Save" when you're done! Tips:
   • Enter domains without "https://" or "www." (ex., google.com, not www.google.com)
   • Enter domains one per line
   • If you want to allow access to most of the internet, use "Block" mode; if you want to block most websites, use "Allow" mode.
   • It's usually best to leave Browser set to "Both", even if you only have one installed.

FAQ

Can my child and I use the same user account?

Yes! But...

• You may need to turn the list enforcement on and off inside the Browser Parental Controls app when you are using the computer.
• Although unlikely, sharing an account with a determined child increases the likelihood that he or she can figure out how to undo the allow/block list. It's recommended to make your child a separate, non-administrator account.

How can I make my child a separate non-adminstrator account?

1. Right-click the Start menu and click "Computer Management".
2. In the left sidebar, click the "Users" folder under "System Tools" > "Local Users and Groups".
3. In the middle section of Computer Management, right click on some whitepace and select "New User..."
4. Fill in the "User name" field. If you want your child to have a password, fill in "Password" and "Confirm password", otherwise leave blank.
5. If you don't want your child to set their own password or have a password at all, uncheck "User must change password at next logon" and check "User cannot change password" and "Password never expires".
6. Click "Create".

My child has a separate user account. How can I make sure it isn't an administrator account?

1. NOTE: If you child is the ONLY user on this computer, do not remove them from the Administrators group; the following steps should only be done when you have an account on the computer, too!
2. Right-click the Start menu and click "Computer Management".
3. In the left sidebar, click the "Users" folder under "System Tools" > "Local Users and Groups".
4. In the middle section of Computer Management, right click your child's user account and select "Properties".
5. Go to the "Member Of" tab.
6. Click on and remove any groups listed in "Member of:", EXCEPT "Users". (If "Member of:" shows only "Users", your child already has the correct privileges.)
7. Click "OK" and restart your computer.

I downloaded and unzipped Browser Parental Controls... Now how do I run it from my child's user account?

1. Put the "Browser Parental Controls" folder somewhere convenient (ex., on a USB thumb drive).
2. Press the [Ctrl], [Alt], and [Delete] keys simultaneously on the keyboard.
3. Click "Switch User".
4. Find your child's username and log in.
5. Locate the "Browser Parental Controls" folder and double-click the "Browser Parental Controls.exe" file to run it. (You will need to enter your admininstator password.)

Why do I need to uninstall browsers other than Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge?

Currently, Browser Parental Controls only works with Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. If you leave other browsers installed, the controls will not apply to them.

How do I uninstall other browsers?

1. Go to Start.
2. Search for and open "Add or remove programs".
3. Find the browser (ex., "Mozilla Firefox") in the list.
4. Click the "..." menu on the right side.
5. Click "Uninstall", and follow the steps.

What version of Windows does Browser Parental Controls work on?

It was tested on Windows 11, but likely works just fine on Windows 10, too!