How to set up Virgin Media parental controls: Essential Security (Web Safe) and the Connect app
Switch on Essential Security parental controls in My Virgin Media, add categories and sites, and pause Wi-Fi with the Connect app.
Note: we checked these steps against Virgin Media's current written instructions. We haven't tested them on a Virgin Media account for this edition, so screens may look a little different after updates.
⏱ Time to complete: about 10–15 minutes 🔧 Difficulty: Easy. Only the main account holder can switch parental controls on or off.
The short version (for very busy parents)
- Sign in to My Virgin Media as the main account holder.
- Go to Account Settings → Online Security and make sure Essential Security is on.
- Turn on parental controls — this automatically blocks categories such as pornography, violence, drugs, hate and suicide/self-harm.
- Use Categories, Sites and Timer to block extra categories (such as gambling or social media), add exceptions, and decide when filtering applies.
- Install the Virgin Media Connect app to pause Wi-Fi to a child's device at bedtime.
What you'll need
- Your My Virgin Media sign-in for the main account holder.
- A phone or computer with a web browser.
- Optional: the Virgin Media Connect app (iPhone or Android) and a Hub 3, 4 or 5 — check the sticker on your hub, or look in the Connect app.
- 10–15 minutes.
Essential Security, Web Safe, Advanced Security — what's the difference?
| Name | What it is | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Security (previously Web Safe) | Filter built into your home broadband. Blocks scam and virus sites, and includes parental controls for every device on your Wi-Fi. | Included with all Virgin Media broadband |
| Advanced Security (previously Virgin Media Internet Security) | App you install on each device. Virus scanning, banking protection, and parental controls that can be customised for each child and work away from home. | Add-on — Virgin Media lists it at £3 a month |
This guide covers Essential Security (free) and the Connect app (free).
Joined before 16 May 2024? Virgin Media says Web Safe is switched on automatically for customers who joined after 16 May 2024, but not for customers who joined before then. If you've been with Virgin for a while, check it's on (Step 1).
Step-by-step
Step 1: Sign in and check Essential Security is on
- Sign in to My Virgin Media as the main account holder.
- Go to Account Settings → Online Security.
- Check Essential Security is switched on.
[Screenshot: My Virgin Media – Account Settings → Online Security]
Tip: Virgin Media emails the account holder whenever Essential Security settings are changed. If you get one of those emails and didn't make a change, sign in and check.
Step 2: Turn on parental controls
In the Online Security settings, switch on parental controls (Virgin Media describes this as "turning on and opting in to parental controls"). Virgin Media says these categories are then always blocked until you turn parental controls off:
- Pornography
- Child abuse
- Violence
- Crime
- Hate
- Drugs
- Hacking
- Suicide and self-harm
- Address hiding (tools used to get round filters)
If you turn parental controls off later, Virgin Media says your settings are saved until you turn them back on.
Step 3: Add extra categories and sites
Use the three filters on the page:
| Filter | What it does | DeviceDaddy starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Categories | Block extra categories — Virgin Media mentions gambling, weapons, alcohol and tobacco, social media "and more" | Block gambling, weapons and alcohol and tobacco. Decide on social media based on your children's ages. |
| Sites | Allow a site that's in a blocked category, or block a specific site that isn't caught | Add any sites your child needs for school |
| Timer | Choose dates and times when Essential Security is deactivated — category and site restrictions are paused during that window | Leave it unset if children have devices in bedrooms |
[Screenshot: Online Security – Categories, Sites and Timer filters]
⚠️ Watch the Timer: the Timer is for switching filtering off at set times (for example, after the children's bedtime). Any child still awake and online then gets unfiltered access.
Can't add an exception? Virgin Media says you can't override a site that conflicts with a category you've blocked (for example, Gambling) or with Virgin Media's own global lists.
Changes not showing? Virgin Media says you may need to restart the device before a newly blocked site or category takes effect.
Step 4: Pause Wi-Fi with the Connect app (bedtimes)
Essential Security filters content, but it doesn't do per-child screen time. For that, Virgin Media suggests the Connect app.
- Install the Virgin Media Connect app and tap Sign in with a Virgin Media account, using your My Virgin Media details.
- Make sure your phone is connected to your Virgin Media Wi-Fi.
- You'll see all your connected devices. Choose your child's device and pause Wi-Fi to it.
- Unpause it in the same place when you're ready.
[Screenshot: Virgin Media Connect app – connected devices with Pause option]
Tip: Not sure which device is which? Device names can be cryptic. Pause one and see which gadget drops offline, then make a note.
Step 5: Test it (2 minutes)
- On a device connected to your Virgin Media Wi-Fi, try a site in a blocked category. You should see Virgin Media's block message.
- On https sites, Virgin Media says you may see a normal browser error ("can't connect") instead of the branded block page — that still means it's working.
- Pause your child's device in the Connect app and check it goes offline.
Keep it working
- Home Wi-Fi only. Virgin Media says Essential Security protects devices only while they're connected to your home network. On 4G/5G or at a friend's house, it doesn't apply — set up controls on the device too (Screen Time, Family Link) and ask your mobile network about its content filter.
- Report gaps. If a site gets through that should be blocked: My Virgin Media → Account Settings → Online Security → scroll to Report a Website.
- Wrongly blocked? Use the Let us know link on the block page.
- VPNs and private DNS on a device can bypass broadband filters. Keep an eye out for VPN apps.
- TV controls are separate. Virgin Media says Essential Security won't change your Virgin TV Go or TiVo parental controls — set those PINs too.
- No filter is perfect. Virgin Media says Web Safe doesn't block all unsafe or inappropriate content. Keep talking with your children about what they see online.
Related guides (links to follow)
- 🌐 Sky Broadband parental controls — [link to add]
- 🌐 TalkTalk and Plusnet parental controls — [link to add]
- 🌐 Router-level filtering with OpenDNS (any broadband provider) — [link to add]
- 📱 Google Family Link on Android — [link to add]
Spotted a change? Tell us
Virgin Media renames and updates its security tools from time to time. If something doesn't match, [report a change: add DeviceDaddy contact form or email link here]. Tell us your hub model and what's different. The ✅ stamp shows when we last checked.
Sources (checked 5 October 2026)
- Virgin Media Help: How to set up parental controls for internet use — https://www.virginmedia.com/help/security/parental-controls
- Virgin Media Help: Essential Security — what is it and how can I use it? — https://www.virginmedia.com/help/how-to/security/essential-security
- Virgin Media: Essential and Advanced Security — https://www.virginmedia.com/broadband/essential-and-advanced-security
- Virgin Media: Virgin Media Connect app — https://www.virginmedia.com/broadband/connect-app
- Virgin Media: Parental controls and web safety for children — https://www.virginmedia.com/broadband/parental-control
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