We have a PS4 and XBOX One (bought from older Son when he needed cash). The problem I’m having is trying to create access hours for the XBOX. I can block other devices so the younger boys can’t be on the internet whenever they please, but my 17-year old has figured out (apparently) how to circumvent simple MAC address filtering through the AirPort Extreme.

I haven’t got around to researching the XBOX yet but it seems that it has the ability to have an alternate MAC.

Is there a way for me to take control of certain settings via parental controls so that he can’t change the MAC?

Any other thoughts for the simple home network. I’m not ready yet to deploy any more robust measures at this point.

Create a second wifi network. If your wireless router has access hours, it'll likely have the ability to create a second (guest) wifi network.

The primary wifi network for your regular, always connected devices, with the password that only you know.

The second wifi network with access restricted devices, with controlled availability hours, with the password you share with the kids.

You can also lock down the XBOX console settings in the parental controls for the console.

He shouldn't be able to change any of the settings without your 4 digit access code.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Create a second wifi network. If your wireless router has access hours, it'll likely have the ability to create a second (guest) wifi network.

The primary wifi network for your regular, always connected devices, with the password that only you know.

The second wifi network with access restricted devices, with controlled availability hours, with the password you share with the kids.

^^^This. Beat me to it. Just make sure after you set up your secondary WiFi you change the password on your primary WiFi and make sure you don't allow the 17 year old access to it.

you could block ports at certain times to limit at least Xbox live.

These ports must be open for Xbox Live to work:

Port 88 (UDP)
Port 3074 (UDP and TCP)
Port 53 (UDP and TCP)
Port 80 (TCP)
Port 500 (UDP)
Port 3544 (UDP)
Port 4500 (UDP)

Place the XBOX in the trash can.
17 year old and he is intentionally circumventing and breaking rules put forward.
No XBOX whatsoever.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Place the XBOX in the trash can.
17 year old and he is intentionally circumventing and breaking rules put forward.
No XBOX whatsoever.

To this end, I would happily borrow the Xbox from you for a few weeks =)

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Place the XBOX in the trash can.
17 year old and he is intentionally circumventing and breaking rules put forward.
No XBOX whatsoever.

To this end, I would happily borrow the Xbox from you for a few weeks =)

I have taken offending items from my children to work or locked them in my vault. When rules are met or said child agrees to follow them, the item is returned. I’ve had an Apple device at the office for a few months now because my oldest son has not completely complied with house rules.

Make sure you change the admin password to your router as well.

quote:

I’m not ready yet to deploy any more robust measures at this point.

OP isn't looking for parenting advice, but network advice. No matter how much we might disagree with his tactics, we can let him make his own good or bad choices can't we?

I'm not sure how just the xBox is an issue and not phone, tablet, etc. as well. Perhaps you've already involved parental controls via cell carrier.

Been there. We nicknamed our daughter 10K after the month our bill showed up with that many texts while she was in high school and not on her best semester ever. Once downloaded to Excel shockingly a lot of the time was middle of night and during class......

You could always just take the power cord to the Xbox.

Are you sure he is playing games on the network and not just playing locally? You could always keep his controllers and give them to him when he's allowed to play.

I'm not familiar with the AirPort, but installed Google mesh wifi at our new house and really like it. You can just pull up the app for your network on your phone and you have a list of all devices connected. Hit the pause button and they no longer have access. Set a schedule, shut the whole network down, prioritize a device so it gets more bandwidth - all from a dashboard where it takes one click on the fly and no programming or scripting.

Not sure on network, but for restricted times everything unplugs pretty easily. I would just take the box during those restricted times and put it back when it is open again. Unfortunately for every block or parental control there is an "educational" youtube video giving info on how to bypass it. Physically gone is physically gone, it is what I have resorted to in the past.

For those offering parenting advice, the current measure is to take the controllers away and lock them up. Thanks. The most recent event is strike 2.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
You can also lock down the XBOX console settings in the parental controls for the console.

He shouldn't be able to change any of the settings without your 4 digit access code.

^^^This. This is how I lock down the Xbox in my house. Each kid has their own profile which can be password protected. I even get a weekly email from Microsoft which says what their activity was. Good luck.

Looks like the parental control of individual profiles is a great option! Thanks all!