Just setting up a Mac mini for my girlfriend's youngest daughter - I got a tax rebate and was feeling generous - and I am trying to set up the parental controls.

I can restrict the number of hours a day she can use the machine, but I can't see a way to shut off just internet access after a set number of hours.

She should be able to use the computer after 22:00, but only to type up school work, not chat to friends - her mother's wishes. She can also use the computer as long as she wants for doing homework or listening to music, but she can only surf for 3 hours.

The parental controls only seem to allow "use of the computer" to be restricted, not use of the internet.

Is there a way to accomplish this, or will I need additional software?

Have you checked to see what kind of scheduling the router supports?

Some are more flexible than others, but both my old 3com and my newer Netgear are able to deny access to IM and on-line gaming after 10pm while still enabling Wikipedia and certain other white-listed sites. You can set this per-IP so different computers have different levels of access.

The router doesn't, but I'll probably be looking at getting a new router next year.

Can you block it on a MAC ID basis - only certain MAC IDs get blocked after a certain time? Or does it block it for the whole family?

Mine does it on IP address.

Which, if they're static, map directly and consistently to MAC IDs.

Just had a looksy on Version Tracker, and this *may* do what you want: http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/morei ... x/10429710

Edd

Indeed, however, if for whatever reason you want to keep DHCP, you can reserve certain IPs for certain MAC addresses.

I've downloaded SafeEyes and will give it a try...

also have a look at openDNS it wont restrict internet times but you have very good access control …

I have found a program that can do pretty much what you want. It is called Concentrate http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/31945/concentrate it is $29 but may be perfect for what you want. I hope this helps.

Revisiting this theme...

I tried SafeEyes, but it was expensive and intrusive, so I removed it straight away. But the daughter had been sitting on the computer from 9 this morning until lunch and again from about 2:30 until 6pm, her mum flipped out, so I've now had to implement a draconian regime...

I managed to find the settings in the router, so we will see if they actually work...

She can access the net between 15:00 and 17:00 and again from 19:30 until 21:30.

I hate doing this sort of thing, but she has shown she can't be trusted to keep her hours within limits set by her mother...