How to Block Adult Content on Any Device

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Easy ways to keep inappropriate material from popping up online
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Are you tired of seeing inappropriate content appear in search results or is there a child or loved one that you want to block adult sites from? Luckily, there are a lot of options for you so you can block adult sites and filter out inappropriate content. We go over these options in this article, along with some expert tips from IT technologist Stan Katz. Read on to learn more.

How to Block Adult Sites Permanently

The easiest and best way to block adult sites is to use Family Safety for Microsoft accounts and Screen Time for Apple accounts. Setting up content filtering with either of those will work to block adult content on computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, including iPhone and Android.

Method 1
Method 1 of 8:

Family Safety for Microsoft Accounts

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  1. Go to https://account.microsoft.com/family and sign in. You must be the family organizer to have the ability to manage other family members.
    • You can also go to that site, log in, then click Add a family member and enter their email address. [1]
    • Family Safety works for any Microsoft account, including accounts on Xbox, Windows computers/laptops, Edge browsers, and the mobile app on Android and iOS.
  2. Clicking their profile picture will redirect you to a page with more options.
  3. You'll see this tab at the top of the page between Windows and Mobile .
  4. This setting will enable SafeSearch in Bing so searches will not bring up inappropriate content or links to browsers other than Edge.
  5. If you want to block specific websites, you can switch this toggle.
    • Click + next to "Allowed" or "Blocked" websites to add more.
    • AI will trigger and allow educational websites through the filter.
  6. This gear icon is in the top left corner of the page and will open another window with more options.
  7. Use the drop-down box to pick an age; Microsoft will filter out inappropriate apps, games, and media depending on the age you pick.
  8. This will prevent other browsers from working on connected devices; meaning the managed user can only use Edge with Bing, and Bing will have SafeSearch enabled. [2]
    • Download the Family Safety app for Android and iPhone to block adult sites on smartphones too. Open the app, tap Edge , and the follow the same steps as using the website.
Method 2
Method 2 of 8:

Screen Time for Mac, iPad & iPhone

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  1. With Screen Time, you can block inappropriate content on your Apple device.
    • For iPhone & iPad, go to Settings > Screen Time.
    • For Mac, go to System Settings > Screen Time.
  2. If you don't have Family Sharing set up, you can only use this method to manage your own account.
  3. You might be asked to enter your passcode.
    • If it's not already on, enable the toggle for "Content & Privacy."
  4. This will open those options.
  5. This opens more options.
  6. You can make this more strict by selecting "Allowed Websites" instead; only the websites that you enter will load for the managed user.
    • Click Customize to add sites that you specifically want to block. [3]
Method 3
Method 3 of 8:

Family Link with Google

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  1. If you aren't signed in, sign in now.
  2. If they aren't part of your family, you won't be able to manage their internet behavior. You can add them by tapping the three-line menu icon, then tapping Add child .
  3. If you don't see this, go to Controls .
  4. It's in the middle of the menu.
  5. This setting will try to block adult sites. You can make this more strict by choosing "Only allow approved sites" and adding the approved sites below.
    • You can also open the "Google Play Store" option to be able to set age limits for the content in apps, movies, books, and anything else available in the Google Play Store. [4]
Method 4
Method 4 of 8:

Google Safe Search

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  1. This setting filters out search results with adult content. You don't need to pay for Safe Search, so it's a good non-cost first step to filtering porn on your computer. You can use Safe Search even if you're not using the Google Chrome web browser. Instead, all that's needed is to use a Google account. However, this can also be easily bypassed.
    • This setting is automatically enabled if the associated Google account is less than 18 years old.
    • If you can't change this setting, it was mostly likely set by an adult account. Even schools and public spaces (like airports and libraries) can prevent you from turning SafeSearch off. [5]
    • To turn on Safe Search, go to https://www.google.com/safesearch in your web browser and make sure the circle next to "Filter" is selected.
Method 5
Method 5 of 8:

Bing SafeSearch

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  1. This setting filters out adult text, images, and videos from search results. [6] You don't need to pay for SafeSearch, so it's a good non-cost first step to filtering porn on your computer.
    • Navigate to Bing's SafeSearch settings . Click on the topmost radio button to enable strict filtering.
    • Click Save at the bottom of the page to apply your changes.
Method 6
Method 6 of 8:

Commercial Software

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  1. These can block unwanted websites and filter pornographic websites on not only your computer but connected mobile devices as well if offered. Popular programs include:
    • Canopy
    • Convent Eyes
    • Net Nanny
    • Covenant Eyes
    • OurPact
    • FamiSafe
    • Norton Family
    • Kidslox
    • Bark
    • Many of these programs have a subscription fee, but they also come with a free trial, so you can test the software to see if you like it before paying money.
      • Katz recommends an app called Net Nanny to block porn from your phone.
Method 7
Method 7 of 8:

Browser Extensions

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  1. You can also use Chrome extensions like BlockSite to block porn sites.
    • Note that extensions will only work if you use the same browser you installed them with. For example, if you install a porn blocker extension on Chrome, it won't work if you're using another browser like Brave.
Method 8
Method 8 of 8:

Router's Parental Controls

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  1. Blocking content at your router protects all connected devices—phones, tablets, and consoles—with parental controls.
    • To block content from your router , you need to log into the router's admin website or use the mobile app provided by your ISP. Then find Parental Controls or similar wording and add blocks to content, results, and sites.
      • Some routers, like those loaned out by bigger companies such as Spectrum and Comcast, come with mobile apps that you can use instead of going to the router's website.

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Once an adult has restricted viewing adult sites, why does Bing then allow them to "learn more" to change the restrictions? What good does that do?
    Community Answer
    This is likely because Bing is avid in the porn industry and they try to promote porn in any way possible.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 34
  • Question
    Why can't I just lock the Safesearch so that kids can't disable it?
    Community Answer
    This is so you can change your mind later on. And Safesearch is ALWAYS in some way faulty, so there in no guarantee pornography will not show up.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 10
  • Question
    How can I block all of the pornographic content from my cell phone?
    Julia
    Community Answer
    Use safe-search on browsers you use (some have that), block people on social media who post inappropriate things, block YouTube videos that can be inappropriate, and never watch/search/look at/buy anything on your phone that can be related to porn. That should work.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Warnings

      • Some adult content is bound to show up while you're online. The best way to minimize the impact this has on any restricted account users (e.g., kids) is to monitor the sites they're using.
        Thanks
        Helpful 14 Not Helpful 5

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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/getting-started-with-microsoft-family-safety-b6280c9d-38d7-82ff-0e4f-a6cb7e659344
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/filter-websites-and-searches-using-microsoft-family-safety-3034d91e-5efa-9fbe-1384-46009f087ccf
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-app-store-media-web-games-settings-mchlbcf0dfe2/15.0/mac/15.0
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1075738?hl=en#zippy=%2Cfor-family-members-whose-accounts-are-managed-with-family-link
      5. ↑ https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/510?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&oco=0
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/turn-bing-safesearch-on-or-off-446ebfb8-becf-f035-9eea-b660e8420458

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open your Windows Settings.
      2. Click Family & other users .
      3. Click Manage family settings online .
      4. Click Web browsing .
      5. Toggle on "Block inappropriate websites."

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