Navigating Limiting Time Online, Without Limiting Your Kids

In today’s connected world, the internet is woven into our children’s daily lives. Whether it’s for learning, connecting with friends, gaming, or streaming their favourite shows, it’s an incredible resource.

Even beyond leisure time, the internet has become essential for schooling. Since the accelerated shift during COVID lockdowns, much of students’ classwork and homework now happens online, and having a laptop or device is often a requirement.

But like any good thing, it’s works best in moderation.

The Importance of Being Online

There’s no denying it, being online opens up a world of opportunity. Kids can tap into educational resources, explore their creativity, or even learn to code, all from the comfort of their bedrooms. When used mindfully, the internet connects young people to ideas, communities, and inspiration that simply didn’t exist for the previous generation.

Without this access to global knowledge, they risk being left behind, out of the loop in an increasingly digital world. At Voyager, our ethos reflects this same sentiment, we’re here to keep Kiwis connected, to each other, to communities around the globe, and to the latest news and technologies.

That said, even as an internet provider (and yes, we see the irony), we believe it’s important to acknowledge that the internet can pose risks, especially for children at too formative an age when used without guidance.

Too Much of a Good Thing

We’ve all been there, just one more video, and suddenly hours have slipped by. For kids, the online world can be even harder to step away from. Endless scrolling, late-night screen time, or stumbling onto age-inappropriate content can quickly turn the internet’s benefits into real risks. Research shows that excessive screen use can affect sleep, shorten attention spans, and impact emotional well-being.

On top of that, certain online trends like so-called “alpha male” content are spreading rapidly across platforms. At such a formative stage of life, it’s crucial to be aware of what your children are exposed to and the messages they’re absorbing.

Without clear boundaries, kids can easily spend more time online than is healthy, making guidance and supervision essential.

We’re at a Crossroads… Or Are We?

Many parents feel they’ve reached a crossroads when it comes to their children’s internet use. Do you strip things back to basics and lose all the positives of being online? Or do you let them fully embrace the digital world and accept the risks that come with it?

Some even consider a return to “dumb phones,” removing smartphones and cutting off internet access altogether. But doing so also means losing the many benefits - connection, learning opportunities, and positive progress - that technology can offer.

The truth is, it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing choice. As parents and caregivers, the key is to stay informed, involved, and intentional about how children engage with the digital world. It’s not about removing the internet completely, it’s about guiding them to use it well.

Open conversations are key. Chat with your kids about their favourite sites, apps, and games. Set screen-free times during dinner, homework hours, or before bed. And when possible, use tools that help you guide online activity, without needing to hover.

Boundaries, time limits and a controlled approach is the best way forward, without turning your kids away from ideas and innovation that could inspire them, cause them to hide their internet usage from you or to impede their learning.

This also where smart technology comes in.

Meet eero - Smarter, Safer Wi-Fi for Families

At Voyager, our eero routers don’t just deliver fast, reliable Wi-Fi, they also put family internet safety in your hands. With eero Secure built in from day one, plus the option to upgrade to eero+ for even more protection, you can manage how your family uses the internet, without feeling like you’ve stepped back into the dark ages.

Here’s how eero and eero secure (included with every eero router) helps:

Content Filtering: Automatically block inappropriate sites by age group, and create a custom profile for your children, based on their ages, and what you feel is appropriate content for them to have access to online.

Custom Schedules: Set bedtimes and pause internet access on specific devices for school hours, time for homework or whenever needed.

Activity Insights: Get visibility into how much time is spent online and where, to help you address limits or specific websites. 

And if you upgrade to eero+, you unlock even more advanced features—like VPN protection, family password management, and safeguards against malware and phishing—giving you an extra layer of safety and control over your family’s Wi-Fi.

Set Limits, Stay Safe, Keep Connected.

In conclusion, giving your children the freedom to explore the internet is important, but so is creating boundaries that keep them safe. With Voyager and eero, you don’t have to choose between access and safety. You can have both.

Ready to take control of your family’s digital wellbeing?

Browse our Home Broadband Plans here and learn more about the benefits of choosing an eero router here.