How to Block a Website in 2024

How to Block a Website in 2024: A Guide for Educators, Parents, and Guardians

Our information age has made access to useful information so easy that sometimes all you need is your mobile and the internet to find out—if you’re curious—how to block YouTube or how to block certain YouTube channels. This ease of access has come with a price, however, as the internet is not only rich with useful and factual information but also with distracting and harmful websites that parents and teachers find the need to block in order to protect students and children, creating a safer and more focused online environment. This is what our guide aims to help you with by walking you through the steps of blocking websites through different methods.

Why is it Important to Block Websites?

Blocking websites is one of the ways to protect your children and students from inappropriate content, reduce distractions during study time, and block access to malicious sites while still allowing them access to information online. Here are a few key reasons why you might want to block websites:

To Protect Children

Many websites are downright unsuitable for children and students. Websites that feature violence, explicit material, or harmful misinformation need to be blocked so that children can be shielded from their harmful impact. While some websites may not appear to be harmful, you may find that upon closer observation, they can be distracting and reduce the focus of children on more important things.

To Reduce Distractions

Social media, gaming, and entertainment sites can prove to be major distractions not only during homework or class time—when students are supposed to focus with the task at hand—but also can take away precious time and attention that they can spend on family and friends when they’re home after school.

To Prevent Malware

Blocking suspicious or unknown websites can protect devices from malware and other security threats that children and, let’s be honest, some adults are not aware of. By blocking suspicious websites, we can already protect our family from the risks they pose to security and safety.

How to Block Websites: 3 Options To Choose From

There are multiple ways you could go about blocking websites. Here are several options you can choose from:

Option 1: Use Parental Control Tools

Blocking websites can be easily done with the help of parental control software like AstroSafe. By utilizing the tools of parental control software, not only can you block websites that you know to be harmful, the tool itself automatically blocks harmful websites—that you didn't know existed in the first place—while allowing only family-friendly websites.

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Speaking of parental controls, there are features that allow you to manage and monitor what your children and students access.

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What’s also great about some parental control tools is that you can try them for free!

AstroSafe can also be used on Google Chrome as a plugin to block websites.

Option 2: Block Websites on Your Web Browsers

Blocking websites can be done directly through web browsers by using built-in settings or extensions. Here’s how you can block websites on Chrome, Safari, and Brave browsers. Please be aware that some of these can be a little technical but you can still do it on your own while others may require you to check your level of access and consult your IT (if you’re in school or at work).

How to Block Websites on Google Chrome

Using Built-In Settings

Google Chrome's desktop version doesn't have a built-in feature to block websites directly, but you can use the following method on Windows devices:

• Modify the Hosts File:some text
  • Open the Windows "Hosts" file, usually located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. On Mac/Linux, the file is at /etc/hosts.

• • Add the line "127.0.0.1 www.websitetoblock.com" to the file, replacing "www.websitetoblock.com" with the URL you want to block.
  • Save the hosts file and exit. This will redirect the blocked website to your local machine, effectively preventing access.

The hosts file method blocks the website across all browsers and applications on the device, not just Chrome. It's a more comprehensive way to block websites compared to the Chrome settings.

Using Extensions

1. Chrome offers various extensions to block websites like BlockSite.

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2. Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for "BlockSite".

3. After installation, go to the BlockSite settings and add the websites you want to block.

The free version has a limit to the number of sites you can block, while the paid version has no limits.

How to Block Websites on Safari

To block websites in Safari, you can use the built-in Screen Time feature on Mac. Here's how you can do it:

1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences".
2. Choose "Screen Time".
3. Click on "Content and Privacy" in the left sidebar.
4. Turn on the feature by clicking "Turn On" (if not already enabled).
5. Select "Limit Adult Websites" and then click "Customize".
6. In the "Restricted" section, click the plus symbol.
7. Add the URL of the website you want to block and click "Ok".

This method allows you to restrict access to specific websites without the need for extensions or third-party apps, making it a convenient way to maintain a controlled online environment for your students and children.

How to Block Websites on Brave

On Brave you can use extensions similar to Chrome.

Using Extensions:

1. Open the Brave Browser and go to the Chrome Web Store.
2. Search for and install a website blocker extension like "BlockSite."
3. Configure the extension to block the desired websites.

Option 3: Block Websites at the Network Level

To block websites at the network level, you can use various methods depending on your operating system and router model and, important to remember, you may want to consider asking the help of an IT or tech support for this if you are not comfortable or familiar with changing these settings. Here are some steps to follow:

Windows

• Using the Route Command:
  • Open an elevated command prompt by typing in command on your search bar. Note: Proceed only if you know how to navigate the Command Prompt. Ask for help from your IT if you don’t.

• • Use the route print command to print the current routes and interface list.
  • Find the desired interface and note its number.
  • Use the ipconfig command to find the default gateway of the interface.
  • Use the nslookup command to find the IP address of the target website.
  • Add a static route using the route command to force traffic to the website's IP address through the desired interface:
    route [-p] add <website IP address> mask 255.255.255.255 <interface default gateway> if <interface number>
  • The -p option makes the change persistent across reboots.

Mac

• Using Screen Time:
  • Go to System Preferences > Screen Time.
  • Click on "Content and Privacy" and turn on the feature.
  • Select "Limit Adult Websites" and then click "Customize".
  • In the "Restricted" section, click the plus symbol.
  • Add the URL of the website you want to block and click "Ok".

Router

• Using Router Settings:
  • Find your router's IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
  • Log in to the router using the default username and password (usually admin for both).
  • Look for the "Block Sites" or "Access Control" option under "Security" or "Parental Controls".
  • Enter the domains you want to block.
  • Save the changes and restart the router.

Android

• Using Router Settings:
  • Follow the same steps as above for router settings.
  • Ensure that the router settings apply to all devices on the network, regardless of operating system.

Phone

• Using Router Settings:
  • Ensure that the router settings are configured to block websites at the router level.
  • This method will block websites on all devices connected to the router, including phones.

Third-Party Apps

• Using Apps:
  • Install apps like Kidslox or similar parental control software.
  • These apps can block websites and apps, set time limits, and provide reports on activity across multiple devices, including phones and tablets.

These methods allow you to block websites at the network level, ensuring that all devices connected to the network are restricted from accessing specific websites.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How to Block a Website

Q: Can I block websites on my child’s smartphone?
‍A: Yes, both Android and iOS devices have built-in parental controls that allow you to block websites. Additionally, you can use third-party apps like Qustodio or Net Nanny for more comprehensive control.

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Q: How do I unblock a website that I’ve previously blocked?
‍A: To unblock a website, simply reverse the steps you took to block it. For browser extensions, remove the website from the blocked list. For router settings, delete the website from the restrictions.

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Q: Is it possible to block websites only during certain hours?
‍A: Yes, many parental control tools and router settings allow you to set time-based rules, blocking websites only during specific hours.

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Fun Facts

Did you know? The first website ever created was info.cern.ch, which went live on August 6, 1991.

Internet Trivia: As of 2023, the number of websites on the internet is estimated to be around 1.98 billion, with less than 200 million of them being active. This means that about 18% of websites are active, while 82% are inactive.

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Final Thoughts on Blocking Websites

Blocking websites is crucial for parents and teachers to help ensure a safe and productive online environment for children. Whether you choose to block websites through browser settings, extensions, or at the network level, there are plenty of options available to suit your needs and level of access or technical know-how. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can take better control of the content accessible to kids and create a safer digital environment for your family or students.

If you don’t want to block websites (or are unable to) but still want to have reasonable control over what you want your students or kids can access online on their device, give AstroSafe Browser a try!

Find more how-to guides like this one by visiting these:

How to Block a YouTube Channel
How to Block YouTube on iPad
How to Block YouTube Ads

Learn More About AstroSafe

If you are also looking for websites that are safe and have educational content for kids that are ad-free, AstroSafe offers a curated collection of resources and tools. AstroSafe provides a variety of options covering age-appropriate content, educational games, and interactive learning, ensuring a safe and enriching online experience for young users. It's an excellent resource to direct children towards positive and beneficial content that align with their learning and development needs.