Parental Controls for a Shared Family Computer: Approved Sites for Each Child

When siblings share one Windows computer, a single browsing setup rarely fits everyone. A seven-year-old doing phonics and an eleven-year-old researching a history project need different websites, and you probably do not want either child to inherit the other’s list. An approved-site workflow can make the intended use explicit without pretending that browser rules manage all of Windows. Kidsplorer controls browsing inside Kidsplorer; other browsers and apps need separate controls.

Start with who uses the computer

Write down who uses the computer and what each child needs it for: reading practice, a maths program, a school portal, a few reviewed games. Include the learning platform, library catalogue and any curriculum tools. Avoid adding broad search or entertainment domains merely because they might be useful later. A short list that is easy to review is more sustainable than a large list copied from somewhere else.

Give each child their own profile

Create one Kidsplorer profile per child. Each profile keeps its own approved sites, PIN and settings, so a younger child does not inherit the research and video services an older child needs. Family supports up to five profiles and devices. Free covers one profile on one computer, so the second child is a natural reason to upgrade.

Treat any starter list as a draft: review each website, note why it is there, and test a normal lesson. A website may load embedded content or sign-in resources from another host.

Use the profile picker on a shared PC

On the Family plan, Kidsplorer shows a profile picker on a shared device. Each child picks their own profile, and a PIN stops one child from opening a sibling’s list. Agree a routine: the child picks their profile before starting and closes Kidsplorer when finished. Keep your own adult account separate and use a standard, non-administrator Windows account for the children.

On Family you can also set a schedule per profile: several allowed time windows per weekday and one daily limit. The approved list does not change by time of day, so use separate profiles if you want different lists for lessons and leisure.

Use browser controls and Windows controls together

An approved-site browser blocks unapproved navigation inside that browser. It does not stop a child from opening Chrome, Firefox, a VPN, a messaging client, or another installed application. Use a standard Windows account and the Windows restrictions that suit your family. Network controls can provide another layer, especially for devices that leave your home network.

Before the first session, test:

• an approved page and its sign-in flow;
• an unapproved domain and a new tab;
• video, images, downloads, and other embedded resources a lesson needs;
• each child’s profile and PIN;
• on Family, the schedule at its start and end time; and
• whether another browser or bypass application is still available.

Keep the list useful over time

Review each child’s list at the start of each term and after a curriculum change. Remove services that are no longer used, revisit sites with public comments or recommendations, and keep a small test checklist for every profile. Visited-page addresses are recorded for the parent for up to 30 days; Kidsplorer does not capture screenshots, keystrokes, messages or location. For the details of adding rules and reviewing requests, see Adding Approved Sites .

The strongest shared-computer setup is layered: a purpose-built approved-site list for each child, supervised Windows accounts, and a repeatable process for testing and approving changes.