Parental controls and blocking of gambling sites

Introduction

Online casinos, betting platforms and lottery sites are accessible from any smartphone or computer, putting teenagers at increased risk of early involvement in gambling. Parental control and competent blocking provide a technical barrier, but do not replace open dialogue and supervision. This article contains a comprehensive action plan: choosing tools, setting up devices and recommendations for an educational approach.

1. Justification of need

Early vulnerability: the adolescent brain is not yet fully formed, decisions are made impulsively;
Accessibility via mobile apps: bypassing age restrictions often comes down to two clicks;
Advertising and marketing: Aggressive banners and social media targeting drive interest in betting.

2. Technical tools and configuration

2. 1 DNS filters at the router level

OpenDNS FamilyShield (208. 67. 222. 123 / 208. 67. 220. 123): automatically blocks gaming and adult sites;
CleanBrowsing (185. 228. 168. 168 / 185. 228. 169. 168): flexible filtering by categories "gambling," "adult content";
Configuration: go to the web console of the router, to the WAN/DNS section and replace the addresses - the changes will apply to the entire home network.

2. 2 Parental Controls on Devices

Windows 10/11:

• Create a child account through "Options →" "Accounts" → "Family and other users."
• Turn on Content Restriction → Web Filtering → check Block gambling sites.
macOS:
• In the "System Settings" → "Screen Time" → "Content and Privacy →" go to the "Content" tab → "Restrict web content" → "Only allowed sites."
iOS / iPadOS:
• Settings → Screen Time → Content and Privacy Restrictions → Web Content → Restrict Adult Sites, or add specific URLs to Never Allow.
AndroID:
• Use the built-in Google Family Link: link a children's account, turn on the web filter in Content Management.
• An alternative is the Qustodio or Norton Family application: they are installed as a VPN filter, blocked by URL.

2. 3 Specialized Applications and Extensions

Gamban: blocks all known gambling sites and apps; installed on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android; free for Australian citizens through Gambler's Help.
BetFilter/GamBlock: similar tools with PIN access and exception list capability.
Browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox):
• BlockSite: add categories "Gambling" in the filter;
• StayFocusd: time limit for sites with excitement up to 0 minutes.

3. Organizational measures and monitoring

1. Separate profiles and schedule:
• Set up a separate user profile for the child and a clear schedule for access to gadgets.
2. Joint browser and application history review:
• Spend a short "check-up" of visited sites and installed programs every week.
3. Adaptation of restrictions by age:
• For younger teenagers - a complete ban; for seniors, partial access with parental notifications.

4. Educational component

Open risk conversation: Explain the notion of "home advantage" and the likelihood of losing;
Showing examples: stories of peers who have faced challenges;
Alternative activities: sports, hobbies, creative projects instead of free "lifestyle online";
Establishing a contact of trust: A teenager should know they can handle any question without fear of punishment.

5. Support and Resources in Australia

Gambler's Help (1800 858 858): advice for families;
eSafety Commission: Child Digital Safety Guidelines;
BeGambleAware Learning: materials for parents to identify signs of addictive behavior.

Conclusion

A comprehensive protection system consists of technical means - DNS filters, parental control in operating systems and specialized applications - and educational measures: dialogue, monitoring and alternative activities. Only a combination of these approaches ensures that the teenager will be protected from the temptation of gambling and form healthy online habits.