How to Set Internet Parental Controls on Linux Mint 21.3

One of the simplest ways to set parental controls is by configuring OpenDNS. It filters websites at the network level, ensuring safe browsing.

• Go to Network Settings in Linux Mint.
• Change the DNS servers to 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123.
• Create a free OpenDNS account and customize filtering settings.

2. Setting Up DNS Filtering with dnsmasq

For more control, you can use dnsmasq:

• Install it via: sudo apt install dnsmasq
• Edit /etc/dnsmasq.conf to define restricted domains.
• Restart the service with sudo systemctl restart dnsmasq.

3. Blocking Websites with /etc/hosts

You can manually block websites by editing the /etc/hosts file:

• Run sudo nano /etc/hosts.
• Add entries like 127.0.0.1 example.com.
• Save and restart the network.

Conclusion

Linux Mint 21.3 offers multiple ways to implement parental controls, from DNS filtering to manual website blocking. Choose a method that best suits your needs for a safer browsing experience.