With technology increasingly integrated into education and daily life, managing teens’ online activities can be challenging. Most secondary schools in NSW, Australia, expect students to have their own computer for school use; however, these schools often lack the technical expertise needed to prevent students from circumventing school Wi-Fi controls or using VPNs to access restricted sites and services.
A lot of the time, teachers focus on ensuring their students aren’t using their mobile phones during class time, however aren’t always aware that the majority of the social media and gaming platforms can be used on laptop computers instead, with a bit of know how – using VPNs or shared mobile phone hotspots. It may appear like the kids are behaving themselves, and not using mobile phones, however are often using their laptops for things that they shouldn’t.
This gap makes it essential for parents to implement robust parental control solutions to ensure their children stay safe and focused online.
Teens often misuse VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to bypass school network filters, enabling access to blocked content, social media, or gaming platforms during school hours. Effective parental control software is essential to tackle this issue and promote safer internet use.
So Why Do Teens Use VPNs at School
Teens commonly use VPNs to access restricted websites, social media, streaming services, or gaming platforms during school hours. Although VPNs provide legitimate privacy benefits, misuse can lead to distractions and potential exposure to inappropriate content or cyber threats. Often kids will share information on which VPNs to use, and before you know it, most of the students in the school are circumventing the WiFi controls.
Signs Your Teen Might Be Using a VPN
• Unfamiliar apps or icons on their Apple device.
• Sudden spikes in data usage.
• Bypassing existing parental or school content filters.
Step-by-Step Guide to Prevent VPN Usage on Apple Devices
Step 1: Enable Screen Time and Parental Controls
On Mac (macOS):
Go to Apple Menu (top-left corner) → System Settings (or System Preferences in older versions).
Click Screen Time.
- Select your child’s account from the sidebar or choose Family Sharing and select your child if you’re using Family Sharing.
- Click Content & Privacy, and turn it on.
Step-by-step restrictions to stop VPN Misuse:
Step 1: Restrict App Installation (to block VPN apps)
On macOS:
- Go to System Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy.
- Click Store Restrictions.
- Under Allowed Content, set Apps to an age-appropriate level or click Don’t Allow Apps to prevent installation completely.
This prevents your child from downloading VPN apps or other unauthorised software.
On iPhone or iPad (iOS):
- Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Turn Content & Privacy Restrictions to On.
- Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
- Under Installing Apps, select Don’t Allow.
How to Block VPN Apps Specifically:
On Mac:
- Open System Settings → Screen Time → select your child’s profile.
- Click App Limits → Turn On → click + (plus).
- Scroll and find installed VPN apps (if any), select them, set the time limit to 1 minute, and save. (This makes VPNs unusable as they’re blocked after 1 minute daily.)
On iPhone or iPad:
Open Settings → Screen Time → your child’s profile.
Choose App Limits → Add Limit.
Select VPN apps under the relevant category, then tap Next.
Set a daily limit of 1 minute → tap Add.
This effectively blocks VPN usage.
How to Disable VPN Configuration Changes:
On Mac:
- System Settings → Screen Time → child’s profile.
- Click Content & Privacy → turn it On.
- Select Content & Privacy → click Other or Network settings.
- Under Allow Changes, set Network Changes to Don’t Allow.
This prevents your child from changing network settings to bypass school Wi-Fi.
On iOS (iPhone/iPad):
- Open Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Scroll down and tap Network Changes, then set to Don’t Allow.
This prevents changes to Wi-Fi or VPN settings.
Preventing VPN Traffic at Router-Level (Recommended):
- Router-level VPN blocking (Recommended step for home network):
- Log into your router admin page (usually via a web browser, often at 192.168.1.1 or similar).
- Navigate to the Firewall, Security, or Parental Controls section.
- Enable blocking of VPN protocols by selecting/blocking these common VPN-related ports:
1194 (UDP/TCP) for OpenVPN
1701 (UDP) for L2TP/IPSec
500, 4500 (UDP) for IPsec
1723 (TCP) for PPTP - Save settings and reboot the router.
This method significantly reduces the child’s ability to bypass controls using VPN software.
Regular Checks and Maintenance:
Weekly or monthly checks:
- Regularly inspect your child’s devices for any unauthorised VPN apps installed.
- Check Screen Time reports regularly via your own device to monitor app and web usage.
Additional Recommendations:
- Set a strong Screen Time passcode. Always protect parental controls with a secure PIN that your child does not know.
- Go to: System Settings → Screen Time → Use Screen Time Passcode (choose a passcode known only to you).
Be Aware of Mobile Phone Hotspot Sharing and Associated High Data Usage:
One common trick used at schools is where the kids take it in turns to share a WiFi hotspot on their mobile phones, whereby a group of friends connect to the hotspot, which has full access to the internet. The obvious giveaway in this situation, is where your kids are chewing through mobile data at a super fast rate, so data usage is something to keep an eye on.
Discuss with your child:
- Explain the importance of respecting school and home rules about internet use.
- Clearly communicate the consequences of attempting to bypass parental controls.
- By carefully implementing these steps and regularly reviewing your child’s device usage, you can effectively control and prevent misuse of Apple devices, ensuring both compliance with school rules and your child’s online safety.
Additional Parental Control Solutions To Consider:
While Apple’s built-in parental controls offer robust features for managing your child’s online activities, it can be beneficial to also use dedicated third-party parental control software. Solutions such as Qustodio provide enhanced capabilities, including real-time alerts, comprehensive activity monitoring across multiple devices, advanced filtering options, and detailed reporting.
These solutions often detect attempts to bypass restrictions, such as VPN usage or proxy sites, providing parents with greater visibility and proactive notifications. Additionally, third-party parental control software typically supports unified management across various platforms and devices—like smartphones, tablets, and computers—making it easier to manage and enforce consistent rules, thereby further enhancing your child’s online safety and ensuring compliance both at home and at school.
1. Apple’s Screen Time (Basic Protection)
Apple’s built-in Screen Time offers fundamental control features like app limits and content filters. However, its effectiveness against VPN usage is limited and may require additional support.
2. Qustodio (Highly Recommended)
Qustodio provides powerful protection against VPN misuse, featuring comprehensive monitoring, robust filtering, and VPN detection capabilities. It is ideal for parents seeking thorough online management.
3. Net Nanny
Net Nanny delivers strong filtering technology independent of browsers, significantly reducing the likelihood of bypass through VPN or proxies, making it reliable for Apple devices.
3. Mobicip
Mobicip is cloud-based, offering effective internet filtering, VPN detection, app blocking, and screen time management, providing comprehensive parental control coverage.
4. FamiSafe
FamiSafe offers solid control features, including real-time location tracking and content filtering, but requires attentive parental oversight to prevent circumvention via VPNs.
Practical Tips for Parents
• Regularly review installed apps and device settings.
• Establish clear communication and educate your teen about responsible online behaviour.
• Collaborate with schools to reinforce consistent internet usage policies.
Choosing effective parental controls significantly enhances your ability to prevent VPN misuse on Apple devices. Solutions like Qustodio and Net Nanny, combined with active parental involvement, offer the best protection for maintaining safe and productive digital environments.
I hope this helps! Feel free to comment or add feedback so that I can provide more tailored / specific advice for above.