How long does Direct Save Telecom parental controls setup take?

Most parents can complete setup in 15 minutes.

Can my child bypass Direct Save Telecom parental controls?

Provider-level controls reduce risk but are not total. A child can still bypass with mobile data, VPN apps, or unmanaged devices, so pair network filtering with device controls and regular conversation.

How do I remove or relax Direct Save Telecom controls later?

Return to the same provider parental controls panel and switch to a lighter level or off, then save and wait for changes to apply.

No provider filter UK

Parental controls on Direct Save Telecom

No documented network filter

Direct Save Telecom is a budget reseller (Openreach, MS3, OFNL, FullFibre Ltd) with no documented parental controls product. Add a free DNS layer at the router and device-level controls per child.

Last reviewed 12 May 2026 · By Dr Alex J. Martin-Smith

Reviewed using our published methodology.

Network filter No

On by default No

Cost No provider product. Free DNS layer recommended

Time to apply 15 minutes

Step by step

How to switch it on

01
Sign into your router admin (the address is printed on the underside of the router; typically 192.168.1.1).
02
Find DNS settings (usually under WAN or Internet).
03
Set DNS to Cloudflare for Families: primary 1.1.1.3, secondary 1.0.0.3. This blocks adult content and malware across every device.
04
Save and restart the router. Allow two to five minutes for every device to pick up the new DNS.
05
Install Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link on each child's device for per-child profiles and bedtime schedules.

Direct link: https://www.choose.co.uk/broadband/direct-save-telecom/reviews/

Reversible

How to remove this later

Go back to your provider parental controls page, switch the filter to Off or a lighter level, then save and wait for the change window shown by your provider. If your child is older, step down one layer at a time rather than removing everything in one go.

Honest limits

What it covers and what it does not

Covers

Once Cloudflare for Families is set, every device on the network gets adult and malware blocking.

Does not cover

No per-child profiles at network level. No activity logs. Encrypted apps and VPNs bypass.

Add a free DNS filter

Direct Save Telecom does not run a network-level parental control filter. The fastest fix is to add a free DNS filter at your router. It covers every device on your Wi-Fi in one step and takes about ten minutes.

Add a free DNS filter

References

Choose. (2025). Direct Save Telecom Broadband Review. https://www.choose.co.uk/broadband/direct-save-telecom/reviews/

FAQs

Common questions

How long does setup usually take?

Most parents can complete this in 15 minutes.

Can a child bypass this?

Network controls reduce exposure but cannot cover everything, especially mobile data and VPN bypass. Use this layer with device controls and regular check-ins.

How do I relax controls as my child gets older?

Lower one control at a time (for example strict to moderate) and review outcomes before removing all controls.

Want to confirm it worked?

Run the check again