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How to set up parental controls on Virgin Media Hub 3

Virgin Media Web Safe + Virgin Media Connect app

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

Quick answer

Hub 3 uses the same Web Safe (Adult, Virus & Malware) and Connect app (per-device pause, schedule) as Hub 4 and Hub 5. No Wi-Fi Pods, slower Wi-Fi, but parental controls identical.

Cost Free with every Virgin Media broadband package
Where to manage Virgin Media Connect app
Time to set up About 5 minutes
Wi-Fi standard Wi-Fi 5
Shipped by Virgin Media
UK install base About 2 million UK households (declining)
Step by step

Step-by-step setup

  1. 01

    Download Virgin Media Connect and sign in.

  2. 02

    Tap Devices, tap the child's device, then Pause or Schedule.

  3. 03

    For content filtering, sign in at My Virgin Media → Settings → Web Safe.

  4. 04

    Confirm Adult and Virus & Malware are on.

Honest limits

What Virgin Media Hub 3 parental controls can and cannot do

Features that work

  • Web Safe Adult and Virus & Malware filtering.
  • Connect app per-device pause and schedule.

Features that do not work

  • Only two content categories.
  • No Wi-Fi Pods.
  • Mobile data, encrypted apps, VPN bypass.

How to block YouTube on Virgin Media Hub 3

Web Safe does not block YouTube. Use Connect app schedule or device-level Screen Time / Family Link.

How to pause Wi-Fi on Virgin Media Hub 3

Connect app → Devices → Pause or Schedule.

How to block social media on Virgin Media Hub 3

Not via Web Safe. Use Connect app pauses.

Troubleshooting

Virgin Media Hub 3 parental controls not working: common fixes

Hub 3 slow or unstable

Hub 3 is end-of-life. Request a free Hub 5 upgrade through My Virgin Media.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Is Hub 3 still supported?

Yes for the parental controls product, but the hardware is end-of-life. Virgin Media is offering free Hub 5 upgrades to Hub 3 and Hub 4 customers through 2026.

More help

If Virgin Media 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.

References

  1. Virgin Media. (2026). Virgin Media Hub 3, Hub 4 & Hub 5 — Hub Swaps & Upgrades. https://www.virginmedia.com/broadband/existing-customer-deals/hub

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