How to Set Up Your Student’s Computer So Only Firefox Can Be Used and Only DIVE Safe Sites Can Be Opened
If you want to block your student from accessing AI using browsers, follow the steps for your operating system below:
Before You Start
For the strongest setup:
the parent should keep the administrator password
the student should use a standard, non-admin account
the student should not be allowed to install apps or browsers
the parent should test the DIVE course pages after setup
Please note that no home setup is perfect if a student has access to another device, a hotspot, a VPN, or the admin password.
Windows Instructions
Step 1: Make sure the student is not an administrator
Open Settings
Click Accounts
Make sure the student account is a standard user, not an administrator
Step 2: Install Firefox
If Firefox is not already installed, install it using the parent account.
Step 3: Block other browsers
Use your parental controls or app restrictions to block any other browsers, such as:
Microsoft Edge
Google Chrome
Opera
Brave
Vivaldi
Tor Browser
any other browser installed on the computer
Step 4: Block other apps that could bypass restrictions
If possible, also block:
VPN apps
proxy apps
AI apps
remote browser apps
Step 5: Test browser access
Sign into the student account and make sure Firefox opens, but other browsers do not.
Step 6: Use a DNS filtering service with an allowlist
Set up a DNS filtering service that blocks all websites except the ones you approve.
Step 7: Add the DIVE safe sites
In the DNS filter dashboard, add these exact sites to the allowlist: Safe Sites
Step 8: Apply the DNS filter at the router if possible
The strongest option is to set this up on your home router so every device on the network uses the filter automatically.
Step 9: If needed, apply the DNS filter on the student’s computer
If you cannot change the router, set the DNS filter directly on the student’s computer instead.
Step 10: Turn off DNS over HTTPS in Firefox
In Firefox:
Open Settings
Click Privacy & Security
Find DNS over HTTPS
Turn it Off
Step 11: Test everything
On the student account, test the following:
These should not open:
Google
ChatGPT
YouTube
-
any other non-approved site
Mac Instructions
Step 1: Make sure the student is not an administrator
Use a parent account as the administrator and make sure the student logs in with a standard account.
Step 2: Install Firefox
If Firefox is not already installed, install it using the parent account.
Step 3: Remove other browsers if possible
If Chrome, Brave, Opera, Edge, or other browsers are installed, remove them if you can.
Step 4: Limit other browsers with Screen Time
Use Screen Time to put limits on Safari and any other installed browser, while keeping Firefox available for course use.
Step 5: Prevent changes
In Screen Time, prevent the student from changing Screen Time settings.
Step 6: Turn on Screen Time web restrictions
Open System Settings
Click Screen Time
Select the student if needed
Turn on Content & Privacy
Step 7: Choose approved websites only
In Screen Time:
Open App Store, Media, Web, and Games
Open Web Content
Choose the option that allows only approved websites
Step 8: Add the DIVE safe sites
Add these sites: Safe Sites
Step 9: Turn off DNS over HTTPS in Firefox
In Firefox:
Open Settings
Click Privacy & Security
Find DNS over HTTPS
Turn it Off
Step 10: Test everything
On the student account, test the following:
Login to dive.unhosting.site. These should open. If they don;t, see next step.
a Practice Set page
Firefox
These should not open. If they do, see next step.
Google
ChatGPT
YouTube
any other non-approved site
other browsers
If Something in the Course Does Not Load
If something does not load correctly, double-check that every safe site was entered exactly as listed here: Safe Sites
If so, please send a message to support@diveintomath.com or call us at 936-372-6299 and select Tech Support. Our hours are M-F from 8-5 CDT.