How to Block Websites on the iPhone – This article refers to iOS 14 through iOS 8 and describes how to disable websites on iPhones. It also explains how to add and delete websites from an authorized list, which is a good approach for kids.
From iOS 14 to iOS 12, here’s how to block websites
The iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch all have built-in controls for restricting which websites children can access. Adults may use this function to limit access to websites, and the settings are password-protected, so a child can’t modify them.
- Tap Settings from the iPhone’s Home screen.
- Select Screen Time.
- Select the Content and Privacy Restrictions you want to apply. When you’re prompted, enter a passcode. Any four-digit combination would suffice.
- This passcode prevents your children from altering the limitations you’ve set.
- Turn on the toggle switch for Content & Privacy Controls. To proceed, you can be asked to enter your device passcode.
- Click Content Restrictions from the drop-down menu.
- Choose your web material.
- Restrict Adult Websites by clicking the Limit Adult Websites button.
- To save the Screen Time settings, exit the Settings app.
From iOS 8 to iOS 11, here’s how to block websites.
The function is included in the Restrictions settings in iOS 8 through iOS 11.
- On your iOS device, open the Settings app.
- Select General.
- Click on Restrictions from the drop-down menu.
- To secure the settings, enter a four-digit passcode. Anything that your kids won’t be able to figure out.
- Enable Restrictions by tapping it. To double-check the passcode, type it in again.
- Go to the Authorized Content section of the Restrictions screen and tap Websites.
- Limit Adult Content by tapping the button.
- Get out of the Settings app. Your decision to block adult websites is saved automatically, and the passcode secures it.
While this method of blocking adult content is useful, it is also very large. It’s possible that it blocks non-adult websites while allowing others to pass. Since Apple is unable to score every website on the internet, it must rely on third-party reviews, which are not without flaws; if you learn that your children are able to access websites that you do not want them to, build a list of only the websites that they are allowed to access.
Read also: How to Get Local Channels Without Cable or Antenna
Only allow approved sites to be visited on the internet.
Rather than using Screen Time (or Restrictions) to filter the entire internet, use the feature to create a list of websites that your children are only allowed to access. This gives you more leverage and is good for children of all ages.
This option can be found on the same screen as Limit Adult Content, and it can be accessed by following the steps in any section above.
REMOVE WEBSITES FROM THE LIST THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED
The iPhone comes preloaded with a range of kid-friendly websites, including Apple, Disney, PBS Kids, National Geographic – Kids, and others.
In iOS 12, tap Allowed Websites Only in the restricted websites screen (or Specific Websites Only in iOS 8 through iOS 11).
- To exclude a website from the authorized list, swipe left on it, then tap Delete.
- Do a rep for each place you want to get rid of.
ADD WEBSITES TO THE LIST THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED
Follow these steps to add new sites to this list:
- Tap Add Website at the bottom of the list of licensed websites.
- Enter the website’s name in the Title text box.
- Enter the website address in the URL text box.
- To return to the previous screen, press ap Web Content (or Websites). Rep with as many websites as you’d like.
- Exit the configurations. The sites you’ve added will be saved automatically.
If your children visit a website that isn’t on the authorized list, they will receive a message stating that the site is blocked. It includes an Enable Website link, which you can use to add it to the approved list if they ask and you agree, but they can’t do so without the passcode.