How to Block Adult Websites on my Phone Permanently

How to Block Adult Websites on Phones, Tablets, and Laptops: A Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Guardians in 2024

The internet on mobile devices provided children and teenagers unprecedented access to all types of content—educational, informative, entertaining, and, unsurprisingly, the not so family-friendly websites. As parents, teachers, and guardians of our children, it's our responsibility to ensure a safe and enriching online environment for them and this may mean the need to block websites that are not age-appropriate for children. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to blocking adult websites on mobile devices as well as on laptops.

Importance of Blocking Adult Websites

For anyone asking why the need to block adult content on your device that kids have access to, here are 4 reasons:

1. Online Safety: Children and teenagers who can easily access anything on any device at home and in school are not yet emotionally equipped to handle adult content that can be confusing and distressing for them.
2. Preventing Addiction: Early exposure to adult content can lead to unhealthy habits and addiction.
3. Maintaining Focus: Blocking distracting and inappropriate sites helps maintain focus on productive and educational activities.
4. Encouraging Positive Behavior: Ensuring that children access age-appropriate content encourages positive online habits.

Methods of Blocking Adult Websites on Your Phone

Before we go to the nitty-gritty of the steps, here’s an overview of each way to block adult content on your mobile:

• Use built-in parental controls - Most smartphones and tablets come with built-in parental control features that allow you to restrict access to certain types of content. For example, on an iPhone or iPad, you can enable "Restrictions" under Settings to block specific apps or websites.
• Install a parental control app -There are many parental control apps available that can help you block adult websites and monitor your child's online activity.
• Use a DNS-based content filter - You can use a DNS-based content filter like OpenDNS or CleanBrowsing to block adult websites at the network level. This method works across all devices connected to your home network, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
• Enable safe search on search engines - Most major search engines, such as Google and Bing, offer safe search features that filter out explicit content from search results. You can enable safe search in the settings of your preferred search engine.
• Use a VPN with built-in content filtering - Some VPN services offer built-in content filtering features that can block adult websites and other inappropriate content.
• Use a mobile device designed for children - There are mobile devices that are designed with kids and students in mind. Troomi is one good example of this.

Steps of Blocking Adult Websites on Smartphones

For iPhones (iOS)

1. Open Settings: Go to your iPhone’s home screen and tap on the "Settings" icon.
2. Screen Time: Scroll down and select "Screen Time."
3. Content & Privacy Restrictions: Tap on "Content & Privacy Restrictions." If you haven't enabled Screen Time, you’ll need to do so and set a passcode.
4. Content Restrictions: Tap on "Content Restrictions," then "Web Content."
5. Limit Adult Websites: Select "Limit Adult Websites." You can also add specific websites to the "Always Allow" and "Never Allow" lists.

For Android Phones

1. Google Play Store: Open the Google Play Store and search for "Google Family Link" or any other reputable parental control app.
2. Install the App: Download and install the app.
3. Set Up the App: Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the app on both your device and your child’s device.
4. Web Filtering: Use the app’s web filtering feature to block adult websites. Each app has different steps, but generally, you will find web filtering under "Settings" or "Parental Controls."

Blocking Adult Websites on Tablets

For iPads (iOS)

1. Open Settings: Tap on the "Settings" icon.
2. Screen Time: Select "Screen Time."
3. Content & Privacy Restrictions: Tap on "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and set a passcode if prompted.
4. Content Restrictions: Navigate to "Content Restrictions" and then "Web Content."
5. Limit Adult Websites: Choose "Limit Adult Websites" and customize the allowed and blocked websites list if necessary.

For Android Tablets

1. Google Play Store: Open the Google Play Store and search to download a parental control app.
2. Install and Set Up: Follow the instructions to install and set up the app.
3. Web Filtering: Use the app’s web filtering feature to block access to adult websites.

Blocking Adult Websites on Laptops

For Windows Laptops

1. Microsoft Family Safety: Visit the Microsoft Family Safety website or download the app from the Microsoft Store.
2. Create a Family Group: Sign in with your Microsoft account and create a family group.
3. Add Child Account: Add your child's Microsoft account to the family group.
4. Web Filtering: Go to the "Content Restrictions" section and enable "Block inappropriate websites." You can also add specific websites to the "Always allowed" or "Never allowed" lists.

For MacBooks (macOS)

1. System Preferences: Open "System Preferences" from the Apple menu.
2. Screen Time: Click on "Screen Time" and select your child's account.
3. Content & Privacy: Click "Content & Privacy" and then "Content Restrictions."
4. Web Content: Select "Limit Adult Websites" to restrict access. You can also customize the allowed and blocked websites list.

For Chromebooks

1. Family Link: Use Google Family Link to set up parental controls.
2. Web Filtering: Within Family Link, go to "Settings" > "Manage Settings" > "Filters on Google Chrome" and enable "Try to block mature sites."

Video Tutorial Recommendation

For those who prefer visual instructions, we recommend these video tutorial on blocking adult websites on various devices: 

For Android
For iPhone

FAQs

Can these methods be bypassed?
‍While no method is foolproof or permanent, using a combination of these settings and regularly monitoring your child’s internet use can significantly reduce the risk of exposure to adult content. A more robust method of protecting your kids from adult content is to use tools of AstroSafe so that you can be rest assured that your children and students only access family friendly content.

Do I need to use a parental control app?
‍Parental control apps provide additional layers of security and features such as screen time management and activity monitoring, making them a valuable tool for parents.

Are there free parental control options?
‍Yes, many parental control options are free, such as Google Family Link. However, premium options like Net Nanny or Qustodio offer more comprehensive features.

Will blocking adult websites affect other internet use?
‍These settings should not interfere with general internet use but will restrict access to websites deemed inappropriate.

Fun Facts

• Internet Usage: On average, children and teenagers spend about 3-4 hours per day online outside of schoolwork.
• Cyber Safety: Implementing parental controls can reduce the risk of cyberbullying, which affects about 20% of teenagers. Cyber safety is becoming more crucial for kids as some risks can lead to dire consequences.
• Digital Literacy: Teaching children about internet safety and responsible usage can empower them to make better online choices.

Ensuring a safe online environment for children and teenagers is essential for their development and well-being. By following these steps to block adult websites on phones, tablets, and laptops, you can help protect young users from inappropriate content. Regularly review and update these settings, and maintain open communication with your children about their online activities. With these measures in place, you can foster a safer and more positive digital experience for your family.

For tools to keep your students and kids safe online, check out these tools by AstroSafe.