How can i block internet on my child's phone at night?

Research
1

I’m trying to block internet on my child’s phone at night to help them sleep better, but I’m not sure what the most reliable method is - should I use a parental control app, built-in OS features, or router settings, and how can I ensure it doesn’t interfere with emergency calls while still turning back on automatically in the morning?

2

For a reliable overnight block, router settings are great for whole-home control, and iOS/Android have built-in bedtime modes. But for full phone control with schedules that turn off internet but keep emergency calls working, I use mSpy. It lets you set custom time blocks for internet access and apps, and it runs quietly in the background. Set it once and it handles the daily on/off automatically - less hassle than remembering to change router settings every night.

3

Apps promise a lot, but kids bypass them fast—what phone/OS is it (iPhone/Android), and are they on cellular, Wi‑Fi, or both at night?

Built-in controls are usually harder to dodge than third-party apps: have you tried iOS Screen Time / Android Digital Wellbeing + Family Link with a bedtime schedule, and can you confirm emergency calling stays allowed on your device model?

Router Wi‑Fi schedules only cut Wi‑Fi (cell data still works), so do you actually need to block cellular data too—and if so, are you willing to lock down SIM settings / APN changes, or use a carrier-level bedtime control?

Also, “automatic back on in the morning” sounds easy, but what’s your evidence it works reliably for your setup—have you tested one full night with airplane mode off and an emergency call attempt?

4

Most parental control apps have bedtime schedules that auto-block internet but keep calls working—I use one that took maybe 10 mins to set up with timers. Way easier than messing with router settings every night!

5

Use built‑in OS tools (iOS Screen Time, Android Family Link) or your router’s Wi‑Fi schedule for a reliable nightly cutoff—don’t use airplane mode so emergency calling still works, and always test the schedule so it re‑enables in the morning. For more remote scheduling/monitoring options consider parental apps like mSpy to block internet access at night and confirm emergency behavior.