Some parents choose to block websites in order to prevent their child from being exposed to inappropriate content online. If you’re considering this route, you may be wondering, “What websites should I block for my child?”
Read on to learn how to block websites, what websites to start with, and additional tools for keeping your child safe online.
There are a variety of reasons why parents might choose to block websites for their child — some universal, others specific to their family’s unique circumstances. As you decide if you want to block websites for your own kid, here are some factors to consider:
There are a variety of ways to block websites you don’t want your child visiting.
On your child’s device. In most cases, you can disallow specific websites directly on your child’s phone or tablet. If they use an iPhone, this can be done with Apple Screen Time under “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
Parental controls. Google Family Link and Apple parental controls allow parents to block websites through their accounts.
In the browser. Blocking can also be done at the browser level, although this isn’t usually the easiest method.
What websites you block for your child will largely depend on why you decided to do it in the first place. Here are some types of websites to consider blocking:
Pornography websites like Pornhub are at the top of most parents’ lists of what to block for their child, as are adult chat sites and forums with no age limits.
Online communities such as 4chan and 8chan — which are known as hubs for extremist beliefs, hate speech, and threats of violence — are not appropriate for kids.
Websites like Reddit, which has weak privacy settings, problematic content, and a track record as a home for dangerous trends, are not a good place for children to hangout online.
The internet is a vast place, filled with infinite corners where questionable content can lurk. Trying to block each and every site you don’t want your child to visit can be a bit like playing Whac-A-Mole — smack down one and another will quickly fill its place.
For parents looking to curate the content their child can view online, filters are a more flexible and effective option. Filters allow you to set limits based on both your child’s age and types of content, providing a larger safety than blocking individual websites. For example, on Apple devices, you can filter out adult websites.
In addition to blocking or filtering websites your child can visit, it’s also a good idea to monitor their internet use and searches. Keeping tabs on what they search for will alert you to potential red flags so you can follow up and take steps to keep your child safe.
We recommend BrightCanary, which uses advanced technology to monitor your child’s Google searches (as well as texts and social media). The app will notify you if there’s an issue and offer detailed summaries in an easy-to-use dashboard. Even better — BrightCanary integrates well with Apple parental controls on iOS.
While blocking websites can be useful for families looking to limit the content their child can view, it’s far from a foolproof plan. Web filtering and regular monitoring with an app like BrightCanary are more effective tools for keeping your child safe online.
