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FocusMe works as a powerful parental control tool. Here’s how to set it up for your child’s computer.

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Basic Setup

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1. Block Inappropriate Websites

Create a plan with Stay Focused + Block Some Websites:
  • Add adult content sites, violent games, or any sites you want to restrict
  • Use RegEx for broad category blocking
Or use Block All Websites and whitelist only approved sites — the safer approach for younger children.

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2. Set Time Limits

Create a separate plan with Time Limit:
  • Allow 1-2 hours of gaming per day
  • Allow 30 minutes of social media (for older children)
  • The budget resets daily

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3. Enforce Bedtime

Create a plan with Stay Focused + Block Computer enabled:
  • Weekly Schedule: block every night from 9 PM to 7 AM (adjust for age)
  • This completely locks the computer during sleep hours

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4. Enforce Screen Breaks

Create a plan with Screen Breaks:
  • 45 minutes of screen time, then a 10-minute break
  • Helps prevent excessive screen use

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Protection for Parental Controls

Use Password protection on all parental control plans:
  • Set the stop challenge when active to Password — your child cannot stop blocking without your password
  • Set the stop challenge non-active to Password as well — prevents editing the plan outside schedule hours
  • Disable Pausing so the plan can’t be paused at all
This is better than Forced mode for parental controls because you can still modify plans yourself when needed — just enter your password.

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Tips

  • Use a master password on FocusMe itself (in Settings) so your child cannot open the app and modify plans
  • Block Task Manager (taskmgr.exe) and Settings to prevent circumvention attempts
  • Install on their Windows account — FocusMe runs regardless of which Windows user is logged in
  • Start lenient and tighten. Let them earn more screen time through good behaviour rather than starting with maximum restriction