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How to set up parental controls on Sky Max Hub (SR213)

Sky Broadband Shield + WiFi Max Parental Controls

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

Quick answer

The Sky Max Hub adds per-profile, per-device controls to Sky Broadband Shield via the My Sky app. Create profiles, assign devices, set downtime schedules, pause all devices for any child instantly. Requires Sky WiFi Max add-on on Superfast / Ultrafast, free with Gigafast+.

Cost Broadband Shield free; WiFi Max Parental Controls £3-4/month or free with Gigafast+
Where to manage My Sky app
Time to set up About 10 minutes
Wi-Fi standard Wi-Fi 6
Shipped by Sky Broadband
UK install base About 1 to 1.5 million UK households
Step by step

Step-by-step setup

  1. 01

    Confirm you have Sky WiFi Max on your plan (or Gigafast+, which includes it).

  2. 02

    Open the My Sky app and tap Broadband at the bottom of the screen.

  3. 03

    Tap Parental Controls, then Create a profile.

  4. 04

    Name the profile (for example, "Olivia, 11").

  5. 05

    Tap Add devices and select all the devices your child uses.

  6. 06

    Tap Create a downtime schedule. Set bedtime hours (for example, 21:00 to 07:00) and the days they apply.

  7. 07

    Save. To pause instantly, tap the profile and Pause all devices.

  8. 08

    Confirm Broadband Shield is at the rating you want (PG/13/18) at https://broadbandshield.sky.com. The two work together.

Manufacturer source: https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-wifi-max-parental-controls

Honest limits

What Sky Max Hub (SR213) parental controls can and cannot do

Features that work

  • Per-child profiles with named avatars.
  • Bulk-assign devices to each profile.
  • Daily downtime schedules (separate weekday/weekend rules).
  • Pause all devices for a profile instantly.
  • Combine with Broadband Shield for content filtering plus per-child time management.
  • Wi-Fi 6 means smoother coverage with WiFi Max pods.

Features that do not work

  • No per-profile content categories (categories still global through Broadband Shield).
  • No per-profile SafeSearch override.
  • Mobile data bypass (combine with Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link).
  • A VPN on the child's device overrides the WiFi Max filter.

How to block YouTube on Sky Max Hub (SR213)

Block at the network level via Broadband Shield Custom Settings (add youtube.com, m.youtube.com, youtu.be, googlevideo.com to the blocked list). The Max Hub does not have a per-profile YouTube toggle yet.

How to pause Wi-Fi on Sky Max Hub (SR213)

My Sky app, tap Broadband, tap Parental Controls, choose the profile, tap Pause all devices. Comes back on when you unpause.

How to block social media on Sky Max Hub (SR213)

Easiest at the network level: Broadband Shield Custom Settings, toggle on Social Networking. Per-profile social blocking is not yet supported in the My Sky app.

Troubleshooting

Sky Max Hub (SR213) parental controls not working: common fixes

WiFi Max Parental Controls option missing

Confirm WiFi Max is on your plan. Check My Sky → Your products. Add WiFi Max (£3-4/month) if missing, or upgrade to Gigafast+.

Profile schedule not applying

Make sure the devices are assigned. Tap the profile, then Devices, and verify the device list.

Child switches to neighbour's Wi-Fi to bypass schedule

Combine WiFi Max with Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link on the device. Those follow the child off the home network.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Sky WiFi Max for parental controls?

For per-profile, per-device control yes. The network-wide Sky Broadband Shield is free without WiFi Max. WiFi Max costs £3-4/month on Superfast/Ultrafast and is included free with Gigafast+.

How do I set a bedtime on Sky Max Hub?

My Sky app → Broadband → Parental Controls → create a profile → Create a downtime schedule. Set the hours and days.

Can I block apps on Sky Max Hub?

You can block specific website domains via Broadband Shield Custom Settings. App-level blocking (TikTok app, Instagram app) requires Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link on the device itself.

More help

If Sky Max Hub (SR213) 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.

Online Safety Hub The full BroadbandSwitch.uk online-safety hub. Router Parental Controls A non-technical parents' guide to router-level controls. UK ISP Parental Controls Every UK ISP's parental control product compared. Social Media Safety TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and X safety settings. Apple Screen Time For when a child uses mobile data and leaves home Wi-Fi. Google Family Link Android equivalent for off-network filtering.
Related routers

If you have a different router

Sky Broadband Hub (SR203) Sky Broadband Shield Sky Gigafast+ Hub (SCER11BELUKS) Sky Broadband Shield + WiFi Max Parental Controls (included free) NOW Hub Two NOW Broadband Buddy + network-level filters

References

  1. Sky. (2026). Parental controls with Sky WiFi Max. https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-wifi-max-parental-controls
  2. Choose.co.uk. (2026). Sky Broadband Routers: Gigafast+, Max Hub, & Broadband Hub. https://www.choose.co.uk/broadband/sky/reviews/sky-routers/

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