Hi all.

So after 3 tech calls and an earlier post on this forum, I have vetted the following: up-to-date firmware, time on router and devices are synced, children not using another router, no boosters or extenders that create a by-pass, I have rebooted the child's device after updating the settings under Parental Control as well as mine, the host device (outa pure paranoia at this point)-- and the time settings under Parental Controls do not block wifi access in the unchosen time blocks, the status column needs to be marked (I am guessing) to show you wish to actively apply those time settings to that device, and lastly, be careful to hit all OK buttons and hit Save which may require searching for as it may not be visible without scrolling.

Still Parental Controls do not seem to function, meaning to block time frames per pre-chosen allowed times and does not block words restricted.

What I have learned that may help others: the MAC address is on a PC the physical address which you want to know to confirm that you in fact have identified the correct device to manage-- this is found the following way on the target device: Right click the wifi symbol in the bottom right tray and go to "Open network and Sharing Center" then on the right in the window, go to "Change Adapter Settings" then right click on your network which you should see in the main box, and go to "Status" then click on "Details" and the Physical Address listed near the top is what will serve as the "MAC Address" in the TP Link site for Parental controls and another important but unmentioned section by 3/4 technicians I have conversed with-- the "Access Control" section that can only be found the following way.... From the home page of the TP Link site for managing your router, go to Advanced then on the left, Security, then to Access Control and from there you will see a list of devices connected to your router. Select one and block it to deny the device wifi access. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY I COULD BLOCK WIFI. Trouble is I have to manually turn it on and off. No presets here folks. :\

Now friends, if any of you know how to make the time settings block wifi in the "unselected" times that is under Parental Controls so that I do not have to helicopter parent my kids to mind that they are not lost down the wifi rabit hole, I would be forever endebted to you!! :) Or for that matter, make the content restriction thing work too. That would be such a bonus!!! Help please! Anyone .... :)

PS Tech-- I could not post this without selecting from the dropdown list a model and mine was not included so I added my model to the title. :)