Cornerstone Group © 2023 Parental controls are valuable tools, since they empower you to manage your children’s internet usage at home. You can prevent exposure to potentially dangerous or inappropriate content and set limits on when each child can be online and for how many hours. While the specific parental control features and capabilities will vary somewhat from router to router, you’ll likely be able to do the following: Filter Website Content Filtering enables you to restrict or blacklist certain types of websites that aren’t suitable for children. Some systems have an on/off switch that blocks adult content, while others have age-based controls (for child, pre-teen, teen, or adult) or allow you to block certain types of content based on topics and keywords. Group Devices Many routers allow parents to group devices by users. For example, you could schedule WiFi shutoff for a younger child’s smartphone and tablet on weeknights at 7:30 p.m., turn off your teen’s desktop and gaming console at 9:30 p.m., and keep your own connection active at all times. Limit Screen Time Using your router’s scheduling feature, you can curb the amount of screen time available for your children by restricting usage and creating internet breaks for activities such as homework, chores, and dinnertime. You can also schedule a time to shut off internet access on school nights and a different time for weekends. Pause WiFi Another commonly available option is to pause WiFi for a child, outside of the normal schedule, should distractions need to be kept to a minimum for any reason. You may be able to sync your router with a virtual assistant such as Siri and just say, “Siri, pause Tommy’sWiFi.” Review Reports Want to know the sites your children visit and how long they spend on each? Today’s routers typically give parents access to these types of detailed reports. BBC offers Managed WiFi, which can help protect your children from negative online experiences and keep them on task. Managed WiFi includes a premium router and the CommandIQ app offering parental controls and network security. Call 319.276.4458 to learn more. Today’s WiFi Routers Offer Parental Controls If Trees Could Talk, They’d Ask You to Use Paperless Billing Paper creates more than 25% of landfill waste, which means trees that took years to grow are being cut down to make paper that will be thrown away, perhaps after just days in the home. Does that make sense? We think trees would say, “No, it doesn’t.” One simple thing you can do to help reduce paper use (and save trees) is to sign up for BBC’s paperless billing. This means that instead of receiving a paper bill from us in the mail each month, you’ll receive it electronically via email. All the same information you’re used to seeing on your paper bill will also be in the electronic version, accessible 24/7 from any device. Plus, to save even more paper, you can pay your bill online and eliminate the check, envelope, and stamp. It’s quick and easy to sign up for paperless billing. Simply visit butler-bremer.com, click on “Pay Your Bill,” and follow the instructions. If you have questions, call us at 319.276.4458.
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