Protecting Ireland's Children Online
SafeFamily provides ISP-level parental controls that deliver broad baseline coverage across devices in your home - from smartphones to gaming consoles - without installing software on each one.
Strongest results come from layered protection: network-level filtering plus device controls like Screen Time, Family Link, and Microsoft Family Safety.
One Setting. Broad Device Coverage.
Instead of configuring parental controls on every phone, tablet, console, and TV separately, parents set ONE preference - and broad home-network coverage is applied across household devices.
Network-Level DNS Filtering
Works at the ISP level. Most devices on your home network are covered by default. No per-device app install is needed for baseline protection.
One App, Complete Control
The SafeFamily app gives parents a single dashboard to manage protection for every family member. Set age-appropriate rules, view activity, and receive alerts.
Graduated Freedom
Children earn more internet freedom as they demonstrate responsibility. Social media access is blocked under 13, restricted at 13-15, and only default-open from 16 with safeguards.
Finally, Parental Controls That Work in Practice
No more juggling 5-7 different systems. SafeFamily provides broad network-level baseline protection - including devices that don't have their own parental control apps.
Per-device controls
Different rules for the phone vs. the Xbox vs. the smart TV
Real-time alerts
Know immediately when harmful content is blocked
Works across device types
Phones, tablets, laptops, game consoles, smart TVs - broad baseline coverage
Age-appropriate presets
"My child is 10" - and the right filters are applied instantly
Bypass-resistant
Younger children usually cannot change ISP settings without parent/admin credentials; determined users may still bypass
Free for all families
Funded through ISP infrastructure - zero cost to parents
The SafeFamily Score
A public accountability framework grading ISPs on their parental control implementation. Published annually, creating competitive pressure and giving parents the information they need to choose an ISP.
Why Ireland. Why Now.
Ireland is uniquely positioned to lead the EU in child online safety. A small market, existing regulatory infrastructure, and EU backing make implementation faster and cheaper than anywhere else.
Small Market
Only ~12-15 ISPs to coordinate (vs hundreds in UK/Germany)
Regulator Ready
Coimisiun na Mean - Online Safety Code already enforceable
EU Infrastructure
DNS4EU provides ready-made, free filtering infrastructure
Tech HQ
Facebook, TikTok, Google, X all headquartered in Ireland
Implementation Model
Built on open-source components, EU DNS4EU infrastructure, and free blocklists. Delivery is coordinated across ISPs, regulators, and implementation partners.
Public materials focus on policy outcomes, implementation standards, and accountability for families and institutions.
International Social Media Policy Context
Australia and France examples below are platform-level social media policy references. They are separate from SafeFamily's ISP DNS filtering layer.
Under-16 platform obligation in force from December 2025, enforced through eSafety guidance and layered age assurance.
Under-15 restriction model adopted in the National Assembly (Jan 2026), with Senate process and implementation pathway ongoing.
Platform-policy position used in our graduated model: under 13 blocked, 13-15 restricted, 16+ default-open with core harm controls and parental governance.
A Complete Framework
SafeFamily isn't just DNS filtering. It's a multi-layer child protection framework aligned with EU standards and Irish law.
Network Protection
ISP DNS filtering protects home-network traffic by default, with mobile/off-network coverage when managed DNS settings are enforced.
Platform Protection
Age verification at the platform level, aligned with the Online Safety Code and EU standards.
AI Intelligence
Automated domain classification catches new and unknown harmful sites before they reach children.
Accountability
Public ISP SafeFamily Score creates competitive pressure for quality and transparency.
Education
The Graduated Freedom Model teaches digital citizenship through progressive trust, not just blocking.
Interoperability
Cross-platform parental control standards so settings work consistently across devices.
Meet Regulatory Requirements. Reduce Support Costs.
SafeFamily provides a turnkey parental control solution that ISPs integrate into their existing customer portals. Built on open-source infrastructure with DNS4EU, it reduces development and licensing costs to near zero.
Regulatory Tailwinds. Clear Market Need.
The EU Online Safety Code is now enforceable. Australia (under-16) and France (under-15 track) are referenced here as platform social-media policy momentum. Separately, Italy's model shows ISP-side parental-control precedent.
Resources & Guides
Policy briefs, parental guides, and education resources - available to read online or download.
Policy & Strategy
Public policy documents, frameworks, and proposals for a safer internet for Irish families.
Parent Guides
Step-by-step guides for setting up parental controls on specific devices.
International Evidence
Comparative research and policy context from leading jurisdictions.
Let's Build This Together
SafeFamily is a proposal for a safer internet for Irish families. We're looking for policymakers, ISPs, child safety organisations, and technologists to make it happen.