The internet and new technology have brought about significant changes in our modern lives, both good and bad. On the one hand, it has made all information available at the click of a button. While on the other hand, many users have suffered the repercussions of improper internet use.
Today, technology is everywhere around us and we cannot ignore it, but we must distinguish between its positive and negative aspects. Right from kids to the older generation, there are rarely any people left who are not swayed away by the popularity of the internet.
Despite having users of all age groups, kids always carry the brunt of the internet’s derogatory facets. Perhaps it’s just that they’re inquisitive, wanting to know it all, and susceptible all at the exact moment. So, it is necessary to block inappropriate websites on the phone before they get access to it.
Kids are inherently curious about almost everything, especially true regarding technology. They are intrigued by gadgets, and in their continuous surfing. There is a risk that they may come across any objectionable material that will cause them mental pain. However, in some circumstances, this is done intentionally.
Given how vital the internet is in today’s world, there is no way you can prevent your kids from using it. But, you should be vigilant and follow specific protocols to keep your kids safe from objectionable online content.
Here, in this article, I’m going to take you through the procedures to block inappropriate websites on the phone for both Android and iOS. But let’s look at why it is essential to disable questionable sites from their devices.
Why Block Inappropriate Websites on the Phone?
This is the age of technology and the internet, and it is only reaching milestones with each passing year, proving to be an essential part of a human’s existence. Anything is only a click away on the internet, from education to learning new stuff to entertainment.
Moreover, credit to the ongoing COVID circumstances worldwide, schools, universities, and workplaces have moved to the internet. It’s almost unfair to deprive yourself or your kids from accessing the internet.
The internet provides kids easy access to a wide range of content and to block adult content is important. And even if the pages have built-in age restrictions, the tech-savvy kids of this generation can still easily circumvent them.
And this has some significant negative impacts on various dimensions of a kid’s lives. It is proven that there is a correlation between a kid’s aggressive nature and exposure to the internet’s undesirable content. The activities harms their relationships with family members, friends, and the world in general.
All of the parents are concerned as a result of this. Are you one of them as well? But don’t worry because this post will teach you how to block inappropriate websites on the phone. Let us have a look.
How To Block Inappropriate Websites On the Phone (Android)?
Here are some ways to block inappropriate websites on the Phone, i.e., Android.
1. Enabling Safe Search in Browsers
Nowadays, most browsers have built-in extensions or add-ons that prohibit kids from viewing adult websites. Google Chrome and browsers are two of the most popular browsers used by kids. And the measures to ban objectionable websites from both browsers are listed below.
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In Google Chrome
Step 1: First, go to Google Chrome and tap the icon.
Step 2: Go to the upper right corner and press the three vertical dots.
Step 3: A windows bar will pop up, and click on settings.
Step 4: Under the advanced category in settings, choose privacy.
Step 5: Tick the check box on safe browsing. This enables the option.
Suppose you or your kids access any site using Google Chrome after enabling the safe browsing feature, in that case, pornographic pages containing vulgar terms or explicit content will be blocked automatically.
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In Firefox
Step 1: Tap the Firefox icon and go to the menu identified by the three vertical dots.
Step 2: Select Add-ons and go to Browse Firefox’s Recommended Extensions on the bottom side of a page.
Step 3: Go to search and type BlockSite.
Step 4: Tap on the first result shown and then add the extension to Firefox.
Step 5: A window bar will pop up to get your permissions to install the add-on.
Step 6: Click on agree if you are comfortable with what’s requested.
Step 7: Once the installation process is done, you need to grant access to the Block site to visit URLs.
Step 8: Then you will be redirected to the menu bar in BlockSite. Go to Block sites and enter the URL of sites you want to block.
2. Use Parental Controls
Another best way to block inappropriate websites on the phone is by using parental control apps. This is not a surveillance app; however, it helps you check on your kids once in a while.
Besides using parental controls to block inappropriate websites on the phone, you can use them for various other reasons. Like, to keep track of your kid’s screen time, apps they use, the words they use, and so on. Many parental control applications have almost identical functionality.
The most famous and trendy ones are fenced.ai, Bark, Qustodio, and Net Nanny. These apps ensure that your kids are safe in the online world and have good value-for-money products.
3. Restrict Apps on Google Play
Another way to ensure that your kids are safe online from potentially harmful content is to allow apps on Google Play restrictions on their Android devices. This would prohibit kids from installing inappropriate applications, games, and other online materials.
Step 1: First of all, tap on the google play store icon and open it.
Step 2: You can see an icon on the top-left corner of the search box; click on it.
Step 3: This will lead you to the menu bar.
Step 4: Then scroll down and tap on Settings.
Step 5: Under the category, user controls, go to parental controls.
Step 6: Turn on the parental control feature.
Step 7: After this, you’ll be asked to create a PIN. Do not let your kids know the PIN, though.
Step 8: Now, you can set age-based restrictions on each category.
4. Use Open DNS
OpenDNS is one of your best options if you think your kids can easily bypass the other methods. It offers dependable content filtering, and even tech-savvy kids would struggle to bypass parental controls like Open DNS.
When you connect to Wi-Fi, your internet service provider’s DNS server is works by default, but you can change it to OpenDNS. It will automatically filter out all inappropriate content. Follow the given steps to block websites using DNS:
Step 1: First, go to settings, then click on advanced options.
Step 2: Then go to change DNS settings.
Step 3: Then you have to erase the values of DNS1 and DNS2 slots and enter the following values.
DNS1: 208.67.222.123
DNS2: 208.67.220.123
Step 4: Then click on Apply
However, using DNS to ban websites has one big drawback: if you or your kids are using the internet using mobile data or are not connected to the home network, then the restrictions will not work. You will be able to access any page.
5. With a Firewall
You can also use a firewall to disable websites on android. The majority of them require rooting your system, but some do not. NoRoot Firewall is one of the most potent ways to block websites such as porn sites, and it has a simple, easy-to-use GUI and only requires a few permissions.
You can also monitor or block applications once you’ve built NoRoot Firewall; follow these simple steps.
Step 1: First, download NoRoot Firewall from the play store.
Step 2: Complete the installation process and open the app.
Step 3: There’s a global filter tab; click on it.
Step 4: Click on the New pre-filter option.
Step 5: Enter the URL link of the website that you want to block.
Step 6: Tick both boxes if you wish to block web pages on Wi-Fi and data connections pages.
Step 7: Go to the port tab and then click on ok.
How To Block Inappropriate Websites on the Phone (iOS)?
Here are some ways to block inappropriate websites on the Phone, i.e., iOS.
1. Enable Restrictions
Given all of the parents’ worries over their kids using their smartphones, iOS has built-in parental controls that you can enable by tweaking a few settings here and there. Here is how you can allow it to:
Step 1: First, go to settings.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap on screen time.
Step 3: And then click on content and privacy restrictions.
Step 4: Enable the option by simply sliding the switch to the right.
Step 5: After the option is enabled, you’ll get three more options.
Step 6: Now, click on content restrictions.
Step 7: Then go to web content.
Step 8: There you can either go with the option to limit or block adult websites.
Step 9: Or you can manually add the URL of the websites you want to block.
2. Use FamiSafe
FamiSafe is a parental control application that offers an all-in-one parental management solution. It has many functionalities, including GPS tracking, web history scan, social media monitoring, and a YouTube video blocker. It works well on both android, but its features and interface in iOS are commendable.
To use FamiSafe to block inappropriate websites on the Phone, you can download, install, and set up the app by following the simple steps given below.
Step 1: Go to the play store and download FamiSafe on your and your kid’s device.
Step 2: Register your FamiSafe account using any of your devices.
Step 3: You must use the same account on both your devices.
Step 4: Customize all the settings and block apps, sites, or videos if you want to.
Step 5: And finally, the app is ready to use.
Conclusion
As a parent, you need to protect your kids from the dangers of cell phones and the internet. However, just being concerned would not help, and it would be best to take precautions to protect your kids from all adult content or block porn on any device on the internet.
If you, too, believe that the safety of kids should always come first, do not forget to use appropriate apps or enable parental controls to keep our kids away from explicit content. After following the solutions mentioned in this post, you would certainly be able to block websites on your and your kid’s devices without any hassle.
If you use any of the above methods, let us know which way works best. Also, feel free to share if you have other additional methods to block inappropriate websites on the phone.
