The Digital Curfew Manual: The Complete Guide to Router-Based Time Limits

Every parent knows the nightly struggle. The pleas for "just five more minutes," the hidden devices glowing under blankets, the morning grogginess from a secret late-night YouTube binge. As the sun sets, the digital battle begins. You're not just fighting a child's desire; you're fighting multi-billion dollar companies whose business model depends on their attention. In this war, you need strategic advantage. You need to control the battlefield itself: your home Wi-Fi network.

Introducing the Digital Curfew—not just a rule, but a physical reality. When the router says the internet is off, it's off. No arguments, no negotiations, no "just one more level." This isn't about being the bad guy; it's about letting the house itself enforce healthy boundaries so you can focus on being the good parent.

This manual provides the definitive, brand-by-brand technical guide to implementing what is arguably the most effective screen time tool available: scheduled internet access at the router level.

Part 1: The Philosophy of the Digital Curfew

Why Router Control Beats App Control

• Universal Enforcement:​ Device-level controls (like iOS Screen Time) only work on that device. A router curfew manages everything: gaming consoles, smart TVs, tablets, phones, laptops—even your child's friend's device on your Wi-Fi.
• Eliminates Negotiation:​ There is no "Ignore Limit" button on the router. The boundary is external, impartial, and immutable. It transforms the conflict from "You vs. Your Child" to "Your Child vs. The Clock."
• Protects Sleep & Family Time:​ A scheduled internet blackout (e.g., 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM) is the single most effective intervention for sleep hygiene. It creates guaranteed, screen-free space for conversation, reading, and winding down.
• The "Set It and Forget It" Advantage:​ Once configured, it runs automatically. No daily timers to set, no pleas to manage. It provides consistent, predictable structure.

Core Strategy: Network Segmentation

Do not turn off the internet for the whole house. Adults may need it for work, and smart home devices require constant connections.

Create Three Networks:

1. Primary Network:​ For adults and trusted devices (e.g., HomeBase).
2. Kids' Network:​ For all children's devices (e.g., HomeBase_Kids). This is the network you will schedule.
3. IoT Network:​ For smart lights, plugs, and speakers (e.g., HomeBase_Devices).

This guide focuses on creating and scheduling the Kids' Network.

Part 2: Universal First Steps

Before you log into your specific router, complete these steps:

1. Find Your Router's IP Address:​ This is the "gateway" to your router's settings. It's often printed on a sticker on the router itself. Common addresses are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. You can also find it by searching "[Your Router Brand] default IP."
2. Gather Login Credentials:​ The username and password are also on the router sticker (often adminand password). If you've never changed these, do it now for security.
3. Access the Admin Panel:​ Open a web browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.) on a computer or phone connected to your Wi-Fi. Type the router's IP address into the address bar and press Enter. Log in.
4. Identify Devices:​ In your router's admin panel, look for a section called "Attached Devices," "DHCP Client List," or "Network Map."​ Find and note the names or, better yet, the MAC Addresses​ (a unique hardware ID) of your children's devices. MAC addresses are more reliable than names, which can be changed.

Part 3: Brand-by-Brand Configuration Guide

1. TP-Link Routers (Archer Series, Deco Mesh)

Access Point:​ tplinkwifi.netor 192.168.0.1

Step-by-Step for TP-Link Web Interface:

1. Log in to your router's admin panel.
2. Navigate to Advanced > Security > Access Control.​ Enable the Access Control feature.
3. First, create a Schedule.​ Go to Advanced > System Tools > Time Settings > Schedule.​ Click "Add New." Name it (e.g., "Weeknight Curfew"). Select the days (Monday-Thursday). Set the time range for when the internet should be BLOCKED​ (e.g., 21:00 to 07:00). Save.
4. Now, apply the schedule.​ Go back to Access Control.
5. Ensure the mode is set to "Block listed devices"​ (not "Allow").
6. Click "Add"​ and select your child's device from the list of connected devices.
7. In the rule settings for that device, you will typically see an option like "Only allow access during these times."​ This wording is counterintuitive. You need to select your "Weeknight Curfew" schedule here.​ This means the device is only allowedto access the internet outsideof the 9 PM-7 AM window—which is exactly what you want.

Step-by-Step for Deco Mesh App:

1. Open the Deco​ app.
2. Tap on the "More"​ tab (three dots).
3. Go to "Advanced" > "Access Control."
4. Tap on your child's profile or device.
5. Tap "Time Limits."
6. Select the days and drag the time sliders to set the allowed​ internet access period (e.g., 7:00 - 21:00). Everything outside this time will be blocked.

2. Netgear Routers (Nighthawk, Orbi)

Access Point:​ routerlogin.netor 192.168.1.1

Step-by-Step:

1. Log in to your router's admin panel or open the Nighthawk/Orbi​ app.
2. Navigate to "Advanced" > "Security" > "Access Control."​ Turn Access Control ON.
3. You will typically have two options: "Block all new devices from connecting"or "Allow all new devices to connect."Choose "Allow all new devices..."​ and then block specific devices on a schedule.
4. Under "Blocked Schedule,"​ click "Add."
5. You will be prompted to "Add Device."​ Select your child's device from the connected list.
6. After adding, click the Edit (pencil)​ icon next to the device.
7. Here you can set "Blocked Hours."​ Create a schedule named "School Nights" from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM, Monday-Thursday. You can create multiple schedules.
8. Apply the same schedule profile to all your kids' devices.

3. ASUS Routers (Using ASUSWRT Interface)

Access Point:​ router.asus.comor 192.168.1.1

Step-by-Step:

1. Log in to the web interface.
2. Navigate to "AiProtection"​ (or sometimes "Advanced Settings") > "Parental Controls."
3. Click on the "Time Scheduling"​ tab.
4. Click "Add New Profile"​ and name it (e.g., "Kids' Curfew").
5. You will see a grid of days and 30-minute time blocks. Click and drag to select the blocks where you want the internet to be OFF​ (e.g., the area from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM). The selected (usually red) blocks are the blockedtimes. This is a very intuitive visual interface.
6. Go to the "Client Name"​ tab (or sometimes within the Parental Controls menu).
7. Find your child's device in the list. Click the icon next to it (often a globe or + sign) and assign it to the "Kids' Curfew" profile you just created.
8. Bonus:​ In the same Parental Controls section, you can also filter websites and set quotas.

4. Google Nest Wifi / Google Wifi

Control Point:​ The Google Home​ app.

Step-by-Step:

1. Open the Google Home​ app.
2. Tap "Wi-Fi"​ > "Family Wi-Fi."
3. Tap the "Add Group"​ button (or select an existing one for your kids).
4. Add your children's devices to this group.
5. With the group selected, tap "Set a Schedule."
6. You can create a simple pause schedule (e.g., pause every day from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM) or a custom schedule for different days.
7. The "Pause"​ button also allows for immediate, manual internet cutoff for the group—perfect for dinnertime.

5. Eero Routers

Control Point:​ The Eero​ app.

Step-by-Step:

1. Open the Eero​ app.
2. Tap the "Discover"​ tab (the shield icon).
3. Tap "Eero Secure"​ (a subscription is required for Advancedscheduling, but basic profiles are free).
4. Tap "Profiles & Schedules."
5. Create a new "Profile"​ for your child.
6. Add their devices to the profile.
7. Tap on the profile, then tap "Add Schedule."
8. Set the days and times for the "Pause"​ (when the internet is off). Eero's interface is very clean and mobile-friendly.

Part 4: Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

• Use MAC Address Filtering:​ For the most reliable control, use the device's MAC address instead of its name when adding it to block lists. Names can be spoofed; MAC addresses are permanent.
• The "Internet Bedtime" is Key:​ Start with one simple, non-negotiable rule: internet off from 10 PM to 6 AM for all kids' devices. The psychological and physiological benefits are immediate.
• Combine with Device Controls:​ Router schedules are for broad strokes. Use device-level controls (like Screen Time) for finer management duringallowed hours (e.g., limiting specific apps).
• Test Your Setup:​ After configuration, have your child try to load a website or game during a blocked period. Confirm it fails. This also demonstrates that the system is real and active.
• The Cellular Workaround:​ This is the limit of router control. For smartphones, you must also use the device's own settings to disable cellular data for specific apps or enable its own "Downtime" feature.
• Firmware Updates:​ Regularly update your router's firmware. These updates often include security patches and can improve the stability of parental control features.

Conclusion: Freedom Within a Fence

Implementing a Digital Curfew via your router is the single most effective step you can take to bring peace to your evenings and protect your family's sleep and connection time. It is not about building a prison, but about constructing a predictable, safe, and healthy digital environment—a fence within which your children have the freedom to play, learn, and explore during the hours you designate.

By following this guide, you move from being the exhausted enforcer to the wise architect of your home's digital landscape. The 30 minutes you spend setting this up tonight will pay dividends in hundreds of calm, screen-free evenings to come. The house will run the schedule; you get to enjoy the silence.