We all know what VPNs are used for. They provide multiple layers of security and encryption. They also help bypass geo-restrictions by spoofing your IP address. But do they have other functions?
You might be surprised to know that VPNs are also capable of bypassing parental controls. Yes, tech experts can confirm that if you are using a device with parental controls, then with the use of a VPN, you will be able to get rid of the restrictions.
But how? How do parental controls work? And how is a VPN able to bypass them? In this blog, we have taken assistance from a reputable VPN reviewer VPNRanks to answer all those questions. We will also look at a few VPN options that are the best for removing such restrictions while adding that extra layer of security.
VPNs & Parental Controls – What’s The Deal?
To look at how a VPN bypasses parental control, we must first understand how parental controls actually work. Read below:
● Parental Controls – How Do They Work?
Parental controls will most likely be found in homes and schools. They are preferred by teachers and those parents who don’t wish to expose their children to sensitive and inappropriate content at a young age.
Most devices offer the option for parental control. This works by blacklisting/whitelisting certain websites or applications that a parent deems sensitive. These websites or applications can then be put on the blacklist, which will ensure that if their child tries to reach these websites or apps, they will be blocked.
Parents usually block online games, gambling sites, and adult content websites in these cases. Parental controls are also found to be implemented at schools where children have access to digital devices.
● Can A VPN Bypass Parental Controls?
VPNs aren’t just great for bypassing geo-restrictions, they are also quite capable of bypassing parental controls. And they work in just about every environment. So, yes. By using the same techniques and protocols that they use to bypass geo-restrictions, VPNs can also bypass parental controls just as easily.
● How Does It Work?
The basic working principle for a VPN remains the same. A VPN works by spoofing your IP address and DNS protocol settings to fool the target server into thinking that you are accessing it from a different region than the one you are currently in.
Parental controls work by blacklisting certain websites or apps. So, in the settings of your device, your IP address is recorded and once those websites or apps are blacklisted, every request sent from your IP address to access them is promptly denied.
This can be a nuisance. But it is easily bypassed by using a premium VPN like ExpressVPN. What it will do is spoof your IP address first. So, if you try to access the target server after activating a VPN, it will think that you are in a different region due to the changed IP address.
It will also modify your DNS settings so that your request bounces off of a different DNS server rather than the one your ISP has set up. This will further mask your real identity and allow you to access the controlled content quite easily.
● Simple Steps To Bypass Parental Controls By Using A VPN
Using these brief steps, you can activate a VPN to your own advantage.
- Go to the website of a reputable VPN. (ExpressVPN is recommended).
- Register for the VPN. Buy a subscription most appropriate for you.
- Download the ExpressVPN app and install it.
- Launch it and log in using your credentials.
- Choose a VPN server (ex: the US) or simply use the auto-connect feature if you don’t have a preference.
That’s about it. Now you are able to access restricted content without any issue and all parental controls implemented have been bypassed.
●Recommended VPN To Bypass Parental Controls
Our recommendation is ExpressVPN. It is one of the best VPNs in the market. It has one of the biggest server networks for a VPN and provides features like military-grade encryption and server obfuscation, which will further keep you private and help bypass such restrictions.
Wrapping Up
Parental controls can be a hassle to deal with. Protective parents and pesky schools usually implement them. But if you don’t want to deal with them or find yourself in possession of a device with parental controls on it and can’t seem to get rid of them, then the use of a VPN like ExpressVPN is highly recommended.
VPNs are also capable of going through screen time monitoring, which tracks how much time a person spends using their phone and which apps they spend the most time using.
