If you’re an iOS user and want your kids to safely explore the Internet? If yes, then don’t worry, you have come to the right place. We understand that the Internet provides a lot of fun and knowledge, but it is also full of toxicity in the form of adult websites. That’s why it’s really important to understand how to block websites on Safari to ensure a safe browsing experience for your kids.
Keep reading this guide, here we’ll share a detailed step-by-step tutorial on how to block websites in Safari on iPhone, iPad, or even on Mac. In addition to this, we would also recommend an additional tool for complete digital safety.
Can parents block websites on Safari?
Definitely, parents can block the age-inappropriate websites on Safari to ensure a safe browsing experience. Howevere when it comes to kids’ safety, being a parent, you have to be extra vigilant. That’s why it’s important to understand how Safari’s controls actually work and where their limits begin.
Keep in mind that the Safari web browser doesn’t have any built-in website blocker. Instead, in Apple devices, Safari indeed follows system-level restrictions set through the Screen Time feature.
What Safari can block vs. what it can’t?
| Can block | Can’t block |
| Specific websites added by parents Adult content using Apples automatic filters All websites except the parent-approved list | Websites opened inside other apps (like social media or games) New risky sites not yet categorized by Apple Time spent switching between apps to bypass restrictions |
Owing to the above mentioned limiations relying solely on the Safari website restrictions would leave the gaps which is too risky for kids. For instance, kids may get exposed to harmful content by using other browsers or in-app web views. That’s why for complete peace of mind its best to combine Safari Blocker with advanced apps that would cover the gaps.
How to block websites on Safari using built-in iPhone & iPad settings?
If your kids use Safari on an iPhone or iPad, you can easily block inappropriate websites using Apple’s built-in controls. By following simple steps, you can filter out the inappropriate websites and ensure a safe environment. Here we’re sharing almost two methods enabling you to get effective results!
Use screen time to block websites on Safari
Screen time is basically Apple’s built-in feature that helps manage your kids’ digital activities undertaken using the phone. However, before setting up, you need to create a child’s profile by enabling family sharing. Here is the simple guideline!
- Step 1. Launch Settings on your child’s iPhone. Tap the Apple ID on the upper portion of the screen.
- Step 2. Under the Apple ID section, choose Family Sharing, and at the top of the Family Sharing settings, tap Add Member or its icon. Choose Create Child Account and follow the other on screen instrsution to add your child’s profile.
- Step 3. Again, you’ll go to the settings application on your kid’s iPhone.
- Step 4. Next, tap on the Screen Time option under settings > Turn on Screen Time > continue.
- Step 5. After this, you may be asked to choose This is My Child’s iPhone.
- Step 6. Next, hit their name under the Family heading first, then select Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content restrictions.
- Step 7. Under the content restrictions tab, just go for the Web Content.
- Step 8. From there,e tap the Allowed Websites Only option to block access to all websites (except for 10 very kid-friendly sites). Afterwards,d use the Add Website under Never Allow option that shows up to manually allow access to safe websites of your choice.
Now you can easily configure and apply an iPhone screen time limit by following the steps below!
Block adult websites on Safari automatically
However, if you don’t want to manually block individual sites, Apple offers an automatic filter. Let’s see how to enable this!
Step 1. Go to Settings and choose the Screen Time option.
Step 2. Hit Content & privacy restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web content.
Step 3. Under web content, tap the option labeled Limit Adult Websites. Once enabled, it would prompt Screen Time to apply a filter to block websites containing adult-related content or themes completely.
Keep their online explorations safe with advanced filtering features.
How to block websites on Safari on Mac for kids?
Similarly, if your kids use the MacBook or iMac, you might be wondering how to block adult websites there. Don’t worry, just like iPhone or iPad, macOS also offers built-in Screen Time controls to filter out websites. Let’s see how to do this!
Block websites via screen time on macOS
- Step 1. Go for the Apple menu and open System Preferences on your Mac > click on Screen Time.
- Step 2. Here click the Content & Privacy on the left of the screen.
- Step 3. In the top-right corner, click Turn On Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Step 4. Now click on Allowed Websites Only, followed by Customize… to choose a list of websites you want to access. This will block any website not listed from opening. Your Mac will let you know each time it blocks those websites in the background.
Why is the Safari website blocking not enough for child safety?
Although blocking websites in Safari is a good step, this alone isn’t sufficient to ensure the complete safety of kids. This is because kids can still find ways to bypass simple safety measures. For instance;
Kids can switch to other browsers: If you set restrictions on Safari, it is more likely that kids may switch to other browsers like Chrome, Firefox, etc. This way they would come across harmful cotenet whole browsing.
Private browsing and VPN bypass risks: They may use tools like private browsing, which is indeed a special mode in web browsers that helps browse the internet without leaving any trace. This way, if kids open any restricted website in this mode, they can easily access it because the history and cookies aren’t stored.
Similarly, VPN also works like private browsing hwevre its more powerful in hiding what you do online. For instance, it hides their device IP address and also encrypts the browsing activity, thereby letting them access even restricted websites.
Search engines can still show unsafe results: In addition, even blocking websites on Safari, it’s not 100% guranted that kids won’t come across explicit results. They still get exposed to vulgar content, exploiting their younger minds.
In-app browsers bypass Safari controls: It’s worth noting that many apps (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube) have their own browsers. This way, kids would open links there, and there is a limitation that Safari doesn’t control content inside other apps.
A latest eSafety study revealed that among Australian children aged 10–15, 7 in 10 encountered harmful content like violent videos or dangerous challenges on social media. Similarly ,1 in 7 reported grooming-type behavior by older users.
Best way to block websites on Safari for kids
Now you might be wondering if Safari blocking is’t enough then what would be the best approach to ensure kids safety? We understand your concerns, that’s why here we have come with a parental control solution in the form of FlashGet Kids. It is the ideal ‘one-stop’ application for parents that provides stronger, system-level protection that goes beyond Safari’s basic controls.
How does FlashGet Kids enhance Safari website blocking?
FlashGet Kids incorporates multiple features that enhance the safety of children while online and offline. Here is how!
Block unsafe websites across Safari and other browsers: It prevents kids from accessing adult websites, not only on Safari but also on any of the browsers kids may try.
Prevent children from bypassing Safari restrictions: If kids try to bypass restrictions, it instantly notifies you.
Filter websites by categories: Let you filter websites by categories that you find inappropriate for your kids. For instance, you can filter adult, gambling platforms, or certain social media sites elminating the need for manual addition.
View children’s browsing activity in real time: In addition owig to its screen mirroring feature, you can see in real time which type of content your kids are browsing on the Internet.
Safari website blocking vs FlashGet Kids
From the above discussion, we can say that although Safari screen time offers some controls for website blocking, these are limited. FlashGet, on the other hand, provides advanced features to ensure safe browsing no matter which browser you are using. Let’s have a quick glance at the table below, making it clear why FlashGet kids should be combined with the Safari website blocking.
| Safari Screen Time | FlashGet Kids parental control | |
| Block specific websites | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Block website categories (adult, gambling, etc.) | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Prevent kids from bypassing restrictions | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Monitor browsing activity | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Works across all browsers & apps | ❌ | ✔️ |
FAQs
Although you can block websites on Safari using Apple’s Screen Time feature, it’s not guaranteed that these settings will remain permanent. This is because if someone knows the device passcode, they can reset the settings. That’s why you need to stay cautious and regularly review the settings.
Definitely, there are many tactics online that let kids bypass Safari website blocking. For instance, they may use VPNs, switch to other browsers, or use private browsing.
Absolutely no blocking, Safari would have no effect on other browsers. This way, kids may use Chrome, Firefox, or Edge to access the restricted content unless you use the other parental controls.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, using the Safari browser lets you block age-inappropriate websites using the screen time feature. However, its website blocking features are limited like applied only to the Safari browser.
That’s why to get the best results its best to combine FlashGet kids parental control app. It indeed provides system-level restrictions applied to all kinds of browsers or apps, thereby ensuring a safe and enjoyable digital experience.
