In one home, there can be many different users of the family computer, all with different internet needs and safeguards. Both adults and children may be using the same desktop or laptop computer, but what children need to, and should be allowed to access, is generally much more limited than what the parents require for shopping or work-related tasks.

The filters recommended by TAG are highly customizable, and part of that customization is the ability to control what each user of the same computer can access. A common setup is to have the laptop, when first turned on, open to the default user, such as the younger children in the house. You can set it so they can only access email, Google Photos, and Google Drive—just the things they may need for schoolwork or to share pictures with their friends. You can even set that default user to have no internet access at all, making the laptop safe for typing up a school assignment or playing a game that doesn’t require the internet.

Then, when the parents, or an older sibling taking college courses, go to use the laptop, they can sign into their own settings and have access to educational websites, shopping websites, or anything else they need.

On a Microsoft Windows PC, you can even set up multiple Windows user accounts so that when each person logs into their Windows account, their customized filter settings are automatically applied. This makes for a much smoother, more seamless experience with less confusion. It also eliminates the worry that you forgot to log out of your more open settings before handing the computer over to a child with stricter user settings.

With these customizations, families can confidently share a single computer while ensuring that every user has access only to what they need. It’s a practical way to make technology work for the whole family without compromising on safety.