Back-to-School Tips for Home Internet Use
Modern education involves technology, making your Wi-Fi and home computing devices more important than ever. You need an internet connection that can keep up with everything from history class research assignments to after-school gaming sessions that help kids decompress.
In this article, you’ll learn how to prepare your digital life for the upcoming school year, including tips to:
- Check your internet speed and plan
- Optimize Wi-Fi placement in your home
- Set up parental controls and usage guidelines
- Prioritize devices for school-related tasks
Read on for back-to-school tips on home internet use and to ensure that everyone in your family is ready for their next assignment.
Get Your Home Internet Ready With Resound Networks!
Check Your Internet Speed and Plan
The internet speed you need depends on what you plan to do online and how many devices you connect. When everyone is trying to get online at the same time, lag or buffering could slow you down and disrupt online learning.
If you’ve already got home internet, check your current speed using free online tools such as Speedtest or M-Lab to get an idea of your starting point. Then, consider how everyone in your home typically uses the internet and how usage patterns might change once school starts.
Adding extra devices puts a strain on your existing setup. You may need to upgrade your internet if your kids are taking online courses or conducting class meetups via videoconferencing. Streaming movies and playing online games are also high-bandwidth uses, so consider your entertainment needs and your educational ones.
Home location affects your available options. High-speed internet options in rural areas may be limited, but fixed wireless offers reliable connectivity even in hard-to-reach locations.
Optimize Wi-Fi Placement in Your Home
When your Wi-Fi router is in the right place, your home internet runs more efficiently.
Ideally, your router should be placed in a central location so the signal reaches throughout the home. Elevate the router on a shelf or countertop at least 5 feet from the floor to minimize obstructions. If you have a two-story house, you can place the router higher to ensure the signal reaches the second floor.
Choose a location away from anything interfering with the signal, such as heavy metal appliances, furniture, and thick walls. Other devices that use a similar 2.4GHz frequency, such as baby monitors and some electronic devices, may also cause interference. Placing the router away from other appliances or devices helps reduce the likelihood of disruptions.
Larger homes may benefit from using a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system. These systems expand the available coverage area by rebroadcasting the original Wi-Fi signal or creating multiple access points for the system with additional routers.
Set Up Parental Controls and Usage Guidelines
Parental controls let you manage your child’s content and reduce distractions when your kids should be focused on schoolwork. You can set usage limits or block certain sites during specific time slots. Parental control settings also allow you to restrict access only to sites you approve.
Creating some home internet rules before school starts is a good idea. You might want to schedule dedicated homework time each night or develop a schedule that gives each member of the family priority for computer or internet access during a specific time slot.
Communication is key when introducing younger children and teens to the internet or social media. Talk to your kids about responsible internet use before school starts. Keep in mind that conversations about internet safety shouldn’t be a one-time thing. Ongoing discussions about protecting personal data, cyberbullying, online scams, and age-appropriate content can help keep kids safe.
Optimize Your Network with the Right Wi-Fi Band
Your router broadcasts two different Wi-Fi networks — 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz — and choosing the right one for each device can make your internet faster and more reliable.
With the My Resound app, you can easily assign devices to the network that works best for them:
- 2.4 GHz Band – Best for Smart Devices
Use this band for things like smart lights, doorbells, cameras, and other devices that are spread throughout your home. The 2.4 GHz signal travels farther and penetrates walls better, ensuring these devices stay connected. - 5 GHz Band – Best for Speed and Performance
Assign laptops, tablets, streaming devices, and gaming consoles to the 5 GHz band. It’s faster and ideal for homework, virtual classes, streaming, and video calls, especially when you’re closer to the router.
Taking a few minutes to organize your devices in the My Resound app ensures the right devices get the best possible connection, reducing slowdowns and buffering during busy times.