Daughter bypassing family safety limits

Family Safety web and screen limits only apply when the child is using supported browsers and signed in correctly. On Windows, when web and search filters are turned on, Family Safety blocks other commonly used browsers so the child must use Microsoft Edge; if those other browsers are not blocked, a child can install and use them (such as Wave, AVG, Opera) to bypass web limits and potentially access games or sites outside the configured time.

To prevent this happening again:

1. Enforce web and search filters
   1. Go to family.microsoft.com and sign in as the organizer.
   2. Select the child > Content filters > Web and search.
   3. Turn on “Block inappropriate websites” / “Filter inappropriate websites”.
   4. Optionally enable “Only allow these websites” if strict control is needed.
   5. Ensure the child uses Microsoft Edge and is signed into Edge with the same Microsoft account; Family Safety will then block other common browsers so they cannot be used to bypass filters.
2. Block unwanted apps and browsers
   1. In the Family Safety app or at family.microsoft.com, go to the child’s profile > Content filters > Apps and games.
   2. Set an appropriate age limit so new apps and browsers above that rating need approval.
   3. Explicitly block any installed browsers (Wave, AVG, Opera, or others) by selecting them and choosing Block / Never allowed.
3. Check device and account configuration
   1. Make sure the child’s Windows account is a standard user, not an administrator, so it cannot change Family Safety settings or install software freely.
   2. Verify the child is always signed in with the same Microsoft account that is in the Family Safety group; time limits and filters only apply to that account.
4. Review activity and limits
   1. Use Family Safety activity reports to see which apps and browsers are being used.
   2. Adjust app/game limits and content filters as needed if new bypass methods appear.

These steps ensure that only monitored browsers (primarily Microsoft Edge) can be used and that additional browsers cannot be used to circumvent Family Safety limits.

References:

• Set up web and search filters for Family Safety
• Filter inappropriate apps and games on the Family Safety app
• Troubleshooting Microsoft Family Safety
• Set app and game limits
• Block or unblock apps with Microsoft Family Safety
• Some games are not listed on the Windows Live Family Safety website
• How to stop pop ups in lower right of screen. They are done to look like McAfee alerts from geniusfun.co.za I have followed advice about stopping notifications and cookies but the pop ups keep coming back. - Microsoft Q&A