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How to set up parental controls on Virgin Media Hub 5

Virgin Media Web Safe + Virgin Media Connect app

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

Quick answer

Web Safe is on by default and blocks two categories (Adult and Virus & Malware) network-wide. The Virgin Media Connect app adds per-device pause, scheduled "good night" downtime, and WiFi Pod management for Hub 5 customers.

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 6
Shipped by Virgin Media
UK install base About 2 million UK households (rolling out free to all customers through 2026)
Step by step

Step-by-step setup

  1. 01

    Download the Virgin Media Connect app from the App Store or Google Play.

  2. 02

    Sign in with your Virgin Media email and password.

  3. 03

    Tap Devices. You will see every device connected to your Hub 5.

  4. 04

    Tap a device, then Pause to pause it immediately. Tap Schedule to set a daily "good night" pause window.

  5. 05

    For network-level content filtering, sign in at My Virgin Media (virginmedia.com), tap Settings → Web Safe, and confirm Adult and Virus & Malware are on.

  6. 06

    Save.

Manufacturer source: https://www.virginmedia.com/help/virgin-media-connect-app

Honest limits

What Virgin Media Hub 5 parental controls can and cannot do

Features that work

  • Web Safe Adult category: blocks adult content network-wide.
  • Web Safe Virus & Malware: blocks known malicious domains.
  • Per-device pause in the Connect app.
  • Scheduled "good night" daily pause per device.
  • WiFi Pod management (Hub 5 only).
  • Works on every connected device including consoles and smart TVs.

Features that do not work

  • Only two content categories (Adult, Virus & Malware). No social, gambling, gaming presets.
  • No per-child profiles; pause is per-device.
  • Mobile data bypass.
  • Encrypted apps and VPN bypass.
  • No automatic SafeSearch.
  • No per-app screen time (use Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link).

How to block YouTube on Virgin Media Hub 5

Virgin Media's Web Safe does not block YouTube. The best route is the Connect app: pause the child's device on a schedule, or use device-level Screen Time / Family Link to restrict YouTube specifically.

How to pause Wi-Fi on Virgin Media Hub 5

Connect app → Devices → tap device → Pause. Or tap Schedule for a daily pause window. Pause comes back on when you tap Resume or the schedule ends.

How to block social media on Virgin Media Hub 5

Web Safe does not block social media. Use Connect app pauses, or device-level controls via Apple Screen Time / Google Family Link.

Troubleshooting

Virgin Media Hub 5 parental controls not working: common fixes

Connect app cannot find Hub 5

Ensure the phone is connected to the Hub 5 Wi-Fi, not mobile data, on first setup.

Web Safe Adult blocks legitimate sites

Sign in at My Virgin Media → Web Safe → Manage exceptions. Add the site to your allow list.

Pause keeps un-pausing

Pause is per-device but resumes if you tap Resume or the device disconnects and reconnects. Use Schedule for guaranteed daily windows.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Is Virgin Media Web Safe on by default?

Yes for Adult and Virus & Malware categories on Hub 3, 4 and 5. You can opt out from My Virgin Media → Settings → Web Safe.

How do I pause my child's device on Virgin Media?

Open the Virgin Media Connect app, tap Devices, tap the device, then Pause. You can also set a daily schedule.

Does Virgin Media block YouTube?

No. Web Safe has only two categories (Adult, Virus & Malware) and does not include YouTube. Use the Connect app to pause the device, or restrict YouTube with Apple Screen Time / Google Family Link.

Will I get a free Hub 5 upgrade?

Virgin Media O2 announced in October 2025 that all Hub 3 and Hub 4 customers will be upgraded to Hub 5 free of charge through 2026. Wait for the email or check My Virgin Media.

More help

If Virgin Media Hub 5 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. 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

Virgin Media Hub 4 Virgin Media Web Safe + Virgin Media Connect app Virgin Media Hub 3 Virgin Media Web Safe + Virgin Media Connect app

References

  1. Virgin Media. (2026). How to upgrade to a Virgin Media Hub 5. https://www.virginmedia.com/the-edit/tech-and-connectivity/how-to-upgrade-to-hub-5
  2. Virgin Media O2. (2025). Virgin Media O2 begins upgrading customers to the WiFi Hub 5 for free. https://news.virginmediao2.co.uk/virgin-media-o2-begins-upgrading-customers-to-the-wifi-hub-5-for-free/
  3. ISPreview UK. (2025). Broadband ISP Virgin Media UK Upgrades Customers to Hub 5 Router for Free. https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2025/10/broadband-isp-virgin-media-uk-upgrades-customers-to-hub-5-for-free.html

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