Available parental control settings
Need to know
Parental controls are only activated on a device when you're using our mobile network – not when you're using WiFi.
EE's parental controls help keep you and your children safe online by blocking 18-rated content when connected to our mobile network. If you need help at home and are connected to WiFi, see Set up parental controls.
We have three settings so you can choose exactly what level of security you need:
- Strict - Kids (under 13)
- Moderate - Teens (13+)
- Off - Adults (18+)
Accounts with parental controls enabled have the Moderate setting applied by default.
Need to know
Parental controls won’t work on iOS devices with iOS 15 or newer when browsing using Safari and for some app traffic when iCloud Private Relay is enabled.
To find out more, visit the EE Community
What are your parental control settings?
You can see your current parental controls in the Settings for each of your Plans & Subscriptions in the EE app.
Moderate
This is the default setting for new and existing customers with parental controls enabled. You get access to social networking sites but not to 18-rated content in accordance with BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) guidelines or to pornography sites.
Strict
This is the safe setting for children under 13. It filters all 18-rated content but also content the BBFC rates higher than 'PG' as well as other content not suitable for younger children including chat, dating and unmoderated social networking sites.
Google SafeSearch is now built into our Strict settings, so any Google search will not show websites that relate to unsecure or adult content. You can’t turn this feature off with this setting – you’ll need to switch your parental controls to Moderate or Off.
Off
This gives full access to the internet with no filter, including to 18-rated content.
Need to know
We block secure sites under the Strict setting (sites with https in the URL). This means some webpages you may have been previously able to access will now show as ‘Timed out’ or ‘No response’.
Important information:
- if you try to access 18-rated content with parental controls enabled, you’ll see a blocking page and you’ll need to complete a credit card age check using the online form if you want to view the content.
- if you're a business user, you may not have the permissions required to change the settings and will need to contact your account manager.
- Parental controls only work on EE's mobile network – not on WiFi.
- if you try to change your parental controls, we'll check your credit card details match the name and address on your EE bill. If you're an American Express or Diners card holder, we'll take £2 from your card to check your credit card details but will refund it straight away. ‘Content Lock removed’ will show up on your credit card bill.
How do I check or change parental controls?
There are several ways to change your parental controls:
EE App
- Log in to the EE app with your email and password details
- Tap Manage at the bottom of your screen
- Scroll down the page to Settings and tap Check settings
- On this page, you can review and/or change the Settings in place
Change parental controls in the EE app
- on the settings page, select the device you want to adjust
- tap Change settings
- select the controls you want for that device
- tap Confirm
On the EE website
- follow the online journey on Content Unlock
- log in to EE
- change the parental controls in the Settings for each of your Plans & subscriptions
Alternatively, on the EE website:
- log in to the EE website using your email and password details
- click on Manage
- select Plans & Subscriptions
- select Manage mobile
- select the device you want to set parental controls for
- scroll down and under Do more, you will see Parental Controls
- select the setting you want and it will be automatically saved
- repeat this for each device you control
You can also check or change your settings using these methods.
Text
- text STRICT or MODERATE to 150
- on the device you'd like to apply these new parental controls to, switch airplane more on and off, or restart it to apply the controls
Phone
- call 1818 from the EE device you want to remove or apply parental controls to
- call 150 from an EE device
- call 08454 123 662 from any other device
- on the device you'd like to apply these new parental controls to, switch airplane mode on and off, or restart it to apply the controls
Online
- remove parental controls immediately by providing your credit card details on the EE blocking page shown when trying to access the blocked website
- by logging in to EE if you're the bill payer
- on the device you'd like to apply these new parental controls to, switch airplane mode on and off, or restart it to apply the controls
In an EE store
- visit your local EE store with your photo ID – we accept a passport, full driver’s licence (photo and paper), EU card or citizen card
- on the device you'd like to apply these new parental controls to, switch airplane mode on and off, or restart it to apply the controls
To turn Content Lock off, you must complete another credit card age check.
How do I keep my family safe from 18-rated content?
What about illegal content?
Content inappropriate to some may be acceptable to others, which is why a robust framework is in place based on BBFC standards. But there’s a clear distinction between inappropriate and illegal content. If either you or your child stumbles across an image or video online which you suspect shows child sexual abuse or other illegal content, you can report securely and confidentially to the Internet Watch Foundation.
Messages
If you believe your child is receiving illegal or seriously offensive messages from an adult in a chat room or on a social networking site, you can report it to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.
Important information for parents
Be careful if your child is given a second-hand device or SIM card. It's always best to call 1818 to see if parental controls are turned On or Off. If you want to apply the Strict setting for an under 12, text the word STRICT to 150 from the device to which you want the setting applied. If your child uses a device connected by 4GEE WiFi, make sure you apply the correct settings of parental controls to the 4GEE WiFi.
Some content, such as apps and encrypted secure sites may contain adult material that will not be blocked by parental controls, so it’s important to stay aware of your child's internet use. Make sure your device has protection against viruses and illegal content.