How to Block Adult Websites on My Phone Permanently?

Blocking adult websites on your phone permanently can help ensure a safer browsing environment. This can be done through various methods depending on the type of phone you have (iPhone or Android) and the level of control you want to exert. Here are some comprehensive steps for each platform:

For iPhone:

Using Screen Time:

  1. Open Settings:
    • Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Access Screen Time:
    • Scroll down and tap on “Screen Time.”
  3. Set Up Screen Time:
    • If you haven’t already set it up, tap on “Turn On Screen Time” and follow the prompts.
  4. Content & Privacy Restrictions:
    • Tap on “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
  5. Enable Restrictions:
    • Turn on the “Content & Privacy Restrictions” toggle.
  6. Content Restrictions:
    • Tap on “Content Restrictions.”
  7. Web Content:
    • Select “Web Content” and then choose “Limit Adult Websites.” This option will automatically block many adult sites.
  8. Add Specific Websites:
    • If you want to add specific sites to the block list, tap on “Add Website” under the “NEVER ALLOW” section and type the URLs of the sites you want to block.

Using a Third-Party App:

  1. Download an App:
    • Install a parental control app like Net Nanny, Mobicip, or Norton Family from the App Store.
  2. Set Up the App:
    • Follow the setup instructions provided by the app to create an account and configure settings.
  3. Block Adult Content:
    • Use the app’s features to block adult content and manage other web filtering settings.

For Android:

Using Google Family Link:

  1. Install Google Family Link:
    • Download and install the Google Family Link app from the Google Play Store on both the parent’s and the child’s phone.
  2. Set Up Family Link:
    • Follow the instructions to set up Google Family Link. You’ll need to create a family group and add your child’s account to it.
  3. Manage Settings:
    • Open the Family Link app on the parent’s phone, select the child’s account, and go to “Manage settings.”
  4. Content Restrictions:
    • Under “Filters on Google Chrome,” turn on “Try to block explicit sites.”
  5. Add Specific Websites:
    • You can also manually block specific sites by adding them to the “Manage sites” section under the “Blocked” tab.

Using a Third-Party App:

  1. Download an App:
    • Install a parental control app like Qustodio, Kaspersky Safe Kids, or CleanBrowsing from the Google Play Store.
  2. Set Up the App:
    • Follow the setup instructions to create an account and configure the app on both the parent’s and child’s devices.
  3. Block Adult Content:
    • Use the app’s web filtering features to block adult content and manage other internet safety settings.

Using Network-Level Filtering:

Configure Your Router:

  1. Access Router Settings:
    • Log into your router’s admin panel. This is usually done by entering the router’s IP address into a web browser.
  2. Parental Controls:
    • Look for a section related to parental controls or web filtering.
  3. Block Adult Content:
    • Use the parental controls to block adult content. Some routers come with pre-configured settings to block such content automatically.
  4. DNS Filtering:
    • You can also change your router’s DNS settings to use a DNS service that blocks adult content, such as OpenDNS FamilyShield or CleanBrowsing.

Additional Tips:

  • Regular Monitoring: Regularly check the device and app settings to ensure they are functioning as expected.
  • Communication: If you’re setting up these restrictions for a child, have a conversation with them about why these restrictions are important.
  • Updates: Keep all software, including parental control apps and the phone’s operating system, up to date to ensure the best security and functionality.

By following these steps, you can effectively block adult websites on your phone permanently, creating a safer browsing environment.