Why Is It Important to Block Adults Websites on Mobile Phones?
The evidence is undeniable: adult content can negatively impact many areas of life for both adults and children.
From relationship health to brain development and the balance of mood-regulating chemicals, frequent exposure to explicit material or developing an addiction to it can have serious consequences.
Your phone is often the gateway, offering constant access to this content—no matter where you are.
That’s why implementing a permanent blocker for adult websites on mobile devices is an essential step in protecting your well-being and fostering healthier habits.
How to Block Adult Websites on My Phone – 7 Methods
My research found that it’s hard to block adult websites on a phone permanently.
Most blocking methods are not fully, completely permanent. Not forever. Or, at least, they are not that hard to circumvent.
If you’re addicted you’ll likely find a way unless you seek professional help and begin looking at and healing the underlying causes of your addiction.
That said, it’s still worth setting them all up. A little bit of temptation from an unexpected place can often be all it takes to trigger the addicted mind into searching for more—so why not remove, limit and reduce as much as possible?
If you’re serious about protecting yourself or your family for the harmful impact of porn, consider investing in a porn-blocking app.
Canopy is $9.99/month and uses AI to filter nudity and lingerie from every app and website you visit—it even allows you to set up an accountability partner app to encourage healthy behaviors.
If you prefer to learn about free methods for blocking porn, then let’s take a look at those.
Here are the top 7 methods I found:
1. How to Block Adult Websites on iPhones With Built-in Settings
The most simple (and free) method to block adult websites permanently is with iPhone’s Screen Time settings.
Pros:
- Free
- Easy to setup
Cons:
- Easy to get around (using the passcode is tempting)
- Doesn’t catch all potential sites (for example, you could easily go on Twitter to view adult content)
- Blocks entire websites, not just porn (annoying on social media)
Blocking Adult 18+ Websites Permanently With iPhone’s Free Settings
Follow these instructions to block adult websites on your iPhone:
- Open your iPhone’s settings and scroll down to ‘Screen Time’.
- Enable Screen Time: If not already turned on, enable ‘Screen Time’. This feature allows you to monitor and control your phone usage
- Access Content & Privacy Restrictions: Click on ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’. If it’s your first time accessing this feature, you might have to set up a passcode (or have someone else do it!).
- Enable Content & Privacy: Tap ‘Content and Privacy Restrictions’ to turn on the feature.
- Open Content Restrictions: Tap ‘Content Restrictions’, then ‘Web Content’
- Choose Limit Adult Websites: Here, you’ll see the ‘Limit Adult Websites’ option. By enabling it, your phone will block many adult websites automatically.
- Add Specific Websites: To permanently block specific adult websites, you can add their URLs under the ‘NEVER ALLOW’ section.
Most adult websites will now be blocked.
However, as mentioned this method has flaws.
The most foolproof method for keeping you and your family safe from adult content?
Let me introduce you to Canopy.
2. Best Method: How to Block Adult Websites on Your Phone Permanently With Canopy
Canopy is a simple-to-use Porn Blocking App that permanently frees you from adult content.
How does it work? With the magic of AI.
If you’re browsing the internet on your mobile or desktop, Canopy will detect adult content and block it automatically.
Canopy’s filtering tech works across apps and all websites. Whereas most porn-blocking apps only block websites you tell them to.
The app is a bargain at $9.99 per month to keep 10 devices secure (perfect for families).
Features
- Website blocking & smart-filtering within websites and apps
- Adult & explicit content filter (on every website)
- Blocker removal prevention
- Custom URL, app & category blocking
- Sexting prevention through nudity detection
- Location tracking & monitoring
- Scheduled screen time & downtime
Pricing
Canopy costs $9.99 per month for coverage on 10 devices. But less if you only want a porn blocker for three devices. See pricing here.
Free trial
Canopy has a one-week free trial which you can join here.
We’ve also created a 20% discount code you can use in 2024, just use this at sign up: #20BLOCK
How to Block Adult Websites Permanently on Your Phone with Canopy
1. Get Started: Begin by creating a Canopy account. A free trial link is available for new users.
2. Install the Canopy App: Download and install the Canopy app on the devices you wish to safeguard from undesired content (we recommend starting with your laptop/desktop and then moving to the mobile app).
3. Set Up Protection Filters: Once Canopy is installed, it’s time to customize your protection filters. For this, log into the Canopy web dashboard or use the Canopy app. The beauty of Canopy lies in its versatility—it works seamlessly across all your devices, whether mobile, tablet, or desktop.
4. Choose Your Device: On the dashboard, choose the device you want to protect, go into Protection Settings, and then select Advanced Filtering.
5. Add the Website: Ensure the Websites tab is selected. Next, click on the + Add Website button at the top right corner. This action will open a new window.
6. Block the Website: In the new window, enter the URL of the website you want to block permanently. Select your preferred filtering level, then hit the Save button.
Watch the video below for an in-depth review and more help with installation
Method 3: How to Block Adult Websites on Android’s With Free SafeSearch Filter
Android user?
Here’s how to block adult websites on Android, just for you.
Method: Use Android’s SafeSearch setting to effectively block porn websites from your smartphone. Really it’s Google’s SafeSearch setting but Google and Android go hand-in-hand.
Benefits: It’s a built-in feature, making it easy to activate without any additional downloads or costs.
Where it falls short: SafeSearch is not foolproof. Some explicit content might slip through the cracks. Additionally, tech-savvy users might find ways to disable SafeSearch.
It also only filters your search results. You can navigate to websites and bypass the security feature by entering the URL directly. That’s why Canopy stands out for Android users and iPhone users alike.
Block Adult 18+ Websites on Your Android Phone
Here’s how I set up SafeSearch on my Android device:
1. Open Chrome App: Start by opening the Chrome app on your Android phone.
2. Enter the SafeSearch URL: Type ‘https://www.google.com/safesearch’ into your search bar.
3. Toggle SafeSearch On: Look to see if SafeSearch is toggled on or off. If it’s off, toggle it on.
4. Make Sure Your Google Account is Right: With SafeSearch, its features only apply to the Google account you’ve turned it on for.
Make sure your Android is logged into the right Google account. Especially if you turned your SafeSearch on via a computer as I did!
And there you have it.
Remember, this is a Google-specific setting and might not be effective in other browsers or apps.
If you’re looking for a truly fail-safe and comprehensive solution, Canopy’s powerful filters deliver consistent results across all apps and browsers. You can try it for yourself here.
Want to learn more? We have a whole guide on blocking websites for Android phones.
Method 4: How to Block Adult Websites on All Devices and Browsers Using Your Home Router
Control your household’s digital consumption by harnessing your router‘s built-in parental control settings to block inappropriate websites.
Here’s how it works, its benefits, and why it might fall short compared to Canopy.
Method:
Most modern routers come with built-in content control settings.
By setting up these controls, you can block adult and inappropriate content on all devices connected to your home network.
Benefits:
This method blocks content at the network level, so it works on all devices connected to your Wi-Fi.
And you don’t need to install any additional software or apps or pay to use it.
Why it’s not quite as good as Canopy:
While using your router’s settings to block content is cost-effective and covers all devices on your network, it does have its limitations:
- No Off-network Protection: The content filters only work when connected to your home network. Once a device disconnects or connects to a different network, it loses all protection.
- No Real-time Filtering: Unlike Canopy, router settings can’t filter content in real-time. They typically rely on blocking specific URLs or categories, which may not be as effective.
- Less User-friendly: Setting up router controls can be technical and challenging for non-tech-savvy individuals, unlike Canopy’s intuitive interface.
- Lacks Additional Features: Router settings don’t offer the additional wellness tools that Canopy does, such as downtime settings, sexting prevention, and location alerts.
So while router settings can offer a basic level of protection, a more comprehensive and user-friendly solution like Canopy can provide a safer and healthier digital environment for your household.
Your Step-by-Step Guide For Blocking Inappropriate Websites with Your Router
1. Access Router Settings: I accessed my router settings by typing in my router’s IP address in a web browser. This address is often found on the router itself or in the manual.
2. Login: Use your router’s admin credentials to log in. These are also usually provided with the router or set when you first installed it.
3. Navigate to Content Filtering Settings: This can vary between router models, but it’s often under ‘Security’, ‘Parental Controls’, or a similar menu.
4. Set Up Filters: You can usually set up filters to block adult or inappropriate content. Some routers also allow you to block specific websites.
5. Save Changes: Apply and save your changes before exiting.
How to Block Inappropriate Websites and Adult Content on Other Devices
Your phone is only one place inappropriate websites exist. But what about your computer? Here’s how to block adult content on common browsers and using Apple’s own settings.
Method 1: How to Block Access to Inappropriate Websites on Your Mac
Trying to shield your Mac from inappropriate content? This section can help. We’ll walk you through using your Mac’s built-in features to block adult content.
For a complete guide, you can explore this article on blocking websites on Mac. It has a focus on blocking YouTube but you can apply the methods to any website.
Method:
Your Mac has a built-in feature called Screen Time that can help block specific websites across different browsers. Here’s how to do it:
1. Turn on your Mac and open “System Preferences” (Click the Apple symbol in the top left corner of the screen).
2. Locate and select “Screen Time” then click on “Options”.
3. Activate “Screen Time”.
4. Create a unique Screen Time passcode for security, and then click on “Content & Privacy” on the left side of the window.
5. Press “Turn on” to apply privacy restrictions to your device.
6. In the “Content” section, opt for “Limit Adult Websites” to filter out inappropriate content.
7. Click on “Customize”, then proceed to the “Restricted” category.
8. To block a specific site, tap the “+” icon, add the website URL to your “Restricted” list, and click “OK”.
Benefits:
- No Extra Costs: Screen Time is a free feature available on macOS 10.15 Catalina and later versions.
- Straightforward Setup: The process to set up Screen Time is easy to follow and doesn’t require technical knowledge.
Why it’s not the best:
While Screen Time is a good built-in tool for Mac, it has its limitations:
- Manual Entry: You have to manually enter every webpage you want to block, which can be time-consuming.
- No Real-Time Filtering: Unlike Canopy, Screen Time can’t provide real-time content filtering.
- Limited Features: It lacks wellness features that Canopy offers, such as downtime settings, sexting prevention, and location alerts.
For a more comprehensive, automated, and feature-rich solution, Canopy might be your best bet.
Method 6: How to Block Adult Websites on Safari
This section will cover how you can use third-party extensions to block websites on Safari.
For more options and detailed information, feel free to read this comprehensive guide on blocking content on Safari.
Method:
Safari allows the use of extensions, which can add functionalities to your browser, including the ability to block certain websites. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Apple App Store and navigate to the Safari Extensions page. This is your central hub for all Safari-compatible extensions.
2. Search for a website-blocking extension. There are several options available, so take a moment to read the descriptions and reviews to find the one that suits your needs.
3. Download and install the chosen extension by clicking the ‘Get’ button and following the installation prompts.
4. Once installed, the extension will appear as an icon in your Safari toolbar. Click this icon to access the extension’s settings, where you can add the URLs of the websites you want to block.
Benefits:
- Variety of Extensions: There are numerous third-party extensions to choose from, enabling you to select one that best fits your needs.
- Additional Features: These extensions often come with extra features to enhance your Safari browsing experience.
- Direct Blocking: Extensions offer a direct way to block specific websites within your Safari browser.
Why it’s not the best:
Despite their benefits, Safari extensions also have limitations:
- Limited Scope: Extensions mainly work within Safari and can’t offer device-wide controls like a dedicated app such as Canopy.
- Lack of Advanced Features: Extensions may not provide sophisticated tools like real-time filtering offered by Canopy.
- Trustworthiness: Not all extensions are created equal, and some may pose privacy concerns.
Method 7: How to Block Inappropriate Websites Permanently on Firefox
Besides using Canopy to block adult content on Firefox, you can also use Firefox’s built-in settings.
For a full list of the methods you can use to block websites on Firefox, check out this guide.
Method:
Firefox provides a built-in feature that allows you to block specific websites. Here’s how:
1. Launch Firefox on your computer.
2. Click on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner of the screen to access settings.
3. Select “Privacy & Security” from the panel on the left.
4. Scroll down to the “Cookies and Site Data” section and click “Manage Exceptions.”
5. In the new window, enter the website URL you want to block, then click “Block.”
6. Save changes and close the window.
Benefits:
- No Extra Downloads: As this feature is incorporated directly into the Firefox browser, it doesn’t require additional installations.
- Quick and Easy: It’s a simple and efficient solution for blocking specific websites.
Why it’s not the best:
Firefox’s built-in settings, while practical, have their shortcomings:
- Limited to Firefox: The blocking only applies within the Firefox browser on the device where the settings were configured.
- No Multi-Device Control: The settings don’t provide the ability to manage content across different devices and browsers, unlike Canopy.
FAQs – How to Block Adult Websites Permanently Forever!
How to block porn sites on a child’s phone?
There are several ways you can block adult content on a child’s phone:
1. Use the Built-in Settings: Both iOS and Android offer built-in parental controls that allow you to limit access to explicit content.
2. Use a Parental Control App: Apps like Canopy offer a comprehensive solution, with features like real-time filtering, cross-device protection, and the ability to block specific websites or categories of content.
3. Customize Browser Settings: Most browsers, including Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, have features that allow you to block certain websites or enable SafeSearch filters.
Can one solution block adult websites on all devices and browsers?
While most solutions are device or browser-specific, there are some that can provide more comprehensive coverage.
Canopy works across all devices and browsers.
Canopy uses a combination of artificial intelligence and human moderation to provide real-time filtering of internet content, offering protection across multiple devices.
It blocks inappropriate websites and filters out adult content not only on web browsing but also in image and video search results, providing a thorough safeguarding environment.
Grab a free trial of Canopy today.
Related Adult Content Blocking Guides
If you’re blocking adult websites on your phone, you may be interested in some of our other blocking guides:
- How to Block Porn
- How to Block Porn Android
- Porn Blocker for Adults
- 11 Best Parental Control Apps
- 7 Best Porn Blockers
- How to Block Porn Mac
- How to Block Porn iOS
Related Website Blocking Guides
Check out other guides in our complete internet safety series:
- How to Block Websites on a Router
- How to Block Websites on Your Phone (Permanently!)
- How to Block Websites on Safari Browser
- How to Block Websites on Any Computer
- How to Block Websites on iPad
- How to Block Adult Websites on iPhone
- How to Block Specific Websites Only
- How to Block Websites on Chrome Mobile
- How to Block YouTube Content