Free ISP-supplied hub

How to set up parental controls on BT Smart Hub 3

BT Parental Controls + Hub Threat Protect

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

Reviewed using our published methodology.

Quick answer

The new Smart Hub 3 uses the same MyBT-based Parental Controls as the Smart Hub 2 plus the new Hub Threat Protect malware filter powered by Norton. Both are free, network-level and managed from the MyBT app.

Cost Free with every BT broadband package

Where to manage MyBT app

Time to set up Up to 2 hours to apply

Wi-Fi standard Wi-Fi 6

Shipped by BT

UK install base Under 500,000 (launched May 2026, climbing fast)

Step by step

Step-by-step setup

01
Open the MyBT app and sign in with your BT ID.
02
Tap Your products, then BT Parental Controls.
03
Switch the filter on. Choose Light, Moderate, Strict or Custom.
04
Set a Homework Time schedule if you want stricter rules at set hours each day.
05
Go back to Your products and tap Hub Threat Protect.
06
Toggle Hub Threat Protect on. This adds Norton-powered malware and scam-domain blocking at the hub level.
07
For specific blocked sites, tap Manage allowed and blocked sites in BT Parental Controls and add domains one at a time.

Manufacturer source: https://www.bt.com/help/security/set-up-bt-parental-controls

Reversible

How to remove this later

Open the same router app or admin panel, disable the parental profile or content filter, and save. If your household is moving to looser rules, reduce one control first (for example schedule limits) before turning off all filtering.

Honest limits

What BT Smart Hub 3 parental controls can and cannot do

Features that work

Everything from BT Smart Hub 2 (Light / Moderate / Strict / Custom, Homework Time, allow/block lists).
Hub Threat Protect: hub-level Norton filter that blocks known malware and phishing domains.
Wi-Fi 6 with better mesh integration (Complete Wi-Fi Plus).
Free for every BT broadband customer.

Features that do not work

Same gaps as Smart Hub 2: mobile data, encrypted apps, VPN bypass, no per-child profiles.
No per-app screen time (use Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link).
Hub Threat Protect blocks malicious domains but not adult content (that's BT Parental Controls' job).

How to block YouTube on BT Smart Hub 3

Open MyBT, tap BT Parental Controls, then Manage allowed and blocked sites. Add youtube.com, m.youtube.com, youtu.be and googlevideo.com to the blocked list. Hub Threat Protect does not block YouTube; you must add it manually.

How to pause Wi-Fi on BT Smart Hub 3

The Smart Hub 3 still has no native per-device pause. Use Homework Time for daily scheduled stricter filtering, or use Apple Screen Time / Google Family Link on the child's device for a true pause.

Troubleshooting

BT Smart Hub 3 parental controls not working: common fixes

No Smart Hub 3 in your account

Smart Hub 3 is offered to existing BT customers on request. Sign into MyBT and look for the Smart Hub 3 offer, or call BT to request the swap.

Hub Threat Protect not blocking anything

Hub Threat Protect needs to be enabled in MyBT separately from BT Parental Controls. Check both toggles.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is BT Smart Hub 3?

The new BT router launched in May 2026. It runs Wi-Fi 6 and adds Hub Threat Protect (Norton-powered malware blocking) on top of the existing BT Parental Controls product.

Do I need a Smart Hub 3 for the new parental controls?

No. BT Parental Controls is identical on Smart Hub 2 and Smart Hub 3. Hub Threat Protect, however, is exclusive to Smart Hub 3.

How do I get a free Smart Hub 3 upgrade?

BT is rolling out the Smart Hub 3 to existing customers on request. Sign into MyBT to see if the offer is in your account, or call BT.

Is Hub Threat Protect on by default?

You need to toggle it on in MyBT once. After that, it stays on and updates automatically.

More help

If BT Smart Hub 3 controls are not enough

Router-level controls have known gaps: mobile data, encrypted apps, VPNs. These guides from our sister site BroadbandSwitch.uk pick up where the router stops.