Parental Controls- Time setting is no longer available and how can i add on this features?

Sumeeta
Sumeeta Posts: 2 New Member
in Web Browsing

Hi, Please advise as F Secure no longer have parental control setting for time, please advise how can i add on? I need the time settings for my kids control.

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Answers

  • JOnes
    JOnes Posts: 1,344 Forum Legend

    "Here is the current situation with F-Secure Total / Family Protection and the time-based parental controls you’re asking about:

    1. The traditional time scheduling feature has been removed.
    F-Secure has been phasing out its old Family Rules parental control module — the one that let you set daily time limits and bedtime schedules — across all platforms. According to F-Secure’s own change notes, the Family Rules feature is being replaced by a simplified Family Protection content-filtering module, and the older time scheduling/time limits control is no longer available in the latest app versions. kb.f-secure.com+1

    2. What remains in F-Secure Total’s parental controls.
    The current Family Protection feature still focuses on content filtering (blocking inappropriate content based on categories) and basic protection for kids’ devices. However, granular time-based restrictions (like daily screen time quotas, bedtime blocks, etc.) have been removed from the app itself. F-Secure Community

    3. Why the change matters.
    Users in the F-Secure community confirm that the modern Total app does not include the old time-limit controls for kids like before. Instead, F-Secure refers people to use the device’s built-in system parental controls (e.g., iOS Screen Time, Android Family Link/Google Family Link, Windows Family Safety) for scheduling/time limits because these system tools are typically more robust and integrated into the OS. F-Secure Community

    4. What you can do if you need time scheduling.
    Because F-Secure Total no longer supports time-of-use rules itself, you have two practical options:

    • These system tools allow detailed time scheduling per device and are independent of F-Secure. They also often show daily usage reports.
    • Use a dedicated parental-control app:
      If the built-in OS tools don’t meet your needs, third-party parental-control apps (e.g., Qustodio, Net Nanny, Bark, ScreenTime, etc.) provide advanced scheduling and monitoring for multiple platforms.

    5. Summary for your specific need (“time settings for kids control”).
    Since F-Secure Total no longer offers time-based controls:

    • You cannot add that feature within F-Secure Total itself.
    • Instead, use the device’s native parental control features (e.g., iOS Screen Time, Google Family Link, Microsoft Family Safety) or a third-party parental control solution to set time limits and schedules."

    • btw:
    • which devices your kids use (iPhone, Android phone/tablet, Windows PC, etc.) ?
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  • Sumeeta
    Sumeeta Posts: 2 New Member

    Windows PC

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  • JOnes
    JOnes Posts: 1,344 Forum Legend
    https://community.f-secure.com/en/discussion/comment/142990#Comment_142990

    "Below is the recommended, native method to add parental controls on a Windows 11 PC, followed by practical notes and alternatives.

    image.png

    Prerequisites

    • Parent and child must each have a Microsoft account
    • The child must sign in to Windows with their own account (not a shared/local account)

    Step-by-Step Setup

    1. Create or use a child account

    1. Open Settings
    2. Go to Accounts → Family
    3. Select Add someone
    4. Choose Add a child
    5. Sign in with the child’s Microsoft account
      • Or create one during this step

    Windows links the account automatically to Family Safety.

    2. Access the Family Safety dashboard

    Open a browser and go to:

    https://family.microsoft.com

    Sign in with the parent account.

    3. Configure parental controls

    You can now manage the child’s PC remotely.

    Key controls available:

    • Screen time
      • Daily limits
      • Different limits per device
      • Specific hours when the PC can be used
    • App & game restrictions
      • Age-based filtering
      • Block specific apps (including desktop programs)
      • Require approval before installing apps
    • Web & search filtering
      • Block adult content
      • Allow-only approved websites
      • SafeSearch enforcement (Edge, Bing)
    • Activity reporting
      • Weekly activity summaries
      • App usage
      • Screen time statistics

    Changes take effect automatically when the child signs in.

    Important Limitations (Be Aware)

    • Web filtering works best with Microsoft Edge
    • Chrome/Firefox require Microsoft Family Safety browser extension
    • Tech-savvy users can bypass controls if:
      • They use admin credentials
      • They boot from external media
    • This is not enterprise-grade device lockdown

    Option 2: Local Account (Not Recommended)

    If the child uses a local Windows account, parental controls are extremely limited (no screen time, no web filtering). Microsoft strongly pushes Family Safety instead.

    Option 3: Third-Party Parental Control Software

    Use this only if you need stronger enforcement or non-Microsoft browsers.

    Common reasons to go third-party:

    • Multiple operating systems (Windows + macOS + mobile)
    • Strong anti-bypass protection
    • Detailed app blocking and logging

    Examples include:

    • Qustodio
    • Norton Family
    • Net Nanny

    These operate independently of Microsoft accounts.

    Best-Practice Recommendations

    • Use separate Windows accounts per child
    • Ensure the parent account is the only administrator
    • Enable BIOS/UEFI password to prevent boot bypass
    • Combine PC controls with router-level parental controls if needed "
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