Source: Luke Filipowicz / iMore
If you have children with iPhones or iPads, or who frequently use yours, and you want to control the type of content they can access when browsing the web in Safari, you're in luck — Apple lets you do just that. Whether you want to automatically limit all adult content to prevent a child from accidentally hitting a link they shouldn't, blacklist specific websites, or shut off all sites except for the ones you specifically whitelist, you'll find everything you need right in Settings and Restrictions. Here's how to manage the parental controls (restrictions) for web content.
- How to limit adult content in Safari for iPhone and iPad
- How to block specific websites
- How to block everything and whitelist only specific sites in Safari for iPhone and iPad
How to limit adult content in Safari for iPhone and iPad
If you're not overly worried and just want to try to prevent your kids from hitting links that take them to adult material, or there are only a few sites you want to make sure they never land on, you can use the automatic settings and the blacklist feature. Before you start, you'll need to make sure you have set up Screen Time on your device.
- Launch Settings from the home screen.
- Tap Screen Time.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Source: iMore- Tap Content Restrictions.
- Tap Web Content.
Tap Limit Adult Websites
Source: iMore
How to block specific websites in Safari on iPhone and iPad
If limiting adult content isn't enough, or you happen to notice a URL that has slipped through the cracks, you can always block any URL you want with restrictions.
- Launch Settings from the home screen.
- Tap Screen Time.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Source: iMore- Tap Content Restrictions.
- Tap Web Content.
Tap Limit Adult Websites
Source: iMore- Tap Add a Website under NEVER ALLOW.
- Type the URL of the website you wish to block in the Website field.
Tap Done.
Source: iMore
Repeat this process for each site you'd like to block. Keep in mind that if certain websites have mobile sites, you may need to block them separately. If you find a site that's still getting through after you attempt to block it, visit that site and look in the Address Bar of Safari to make sure you're blocking the correct URL. Copy it if you need to and paste it into restrictions.
How to block everything and whitelist only specific sites in Safari for iPhone and iPad
For very young children, or if you simply want to make sure nothing is accessible except what you specifically allow, you can disable everything and then only turn back on the sites you consider absolutely permissible, like Apple or Disney.
- Launch Settings from the home screen.
- Tap Screen Time.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Source: iMore- Tap Content Restrictions.
- Tap Web Content.
Tap Allowed Websites Only.
Source: iMoreTap Add Website.
- Enter the URL of the website you want to allow.
Tap Done.
Source: iMore
As with the blacklist, you might need to add variations, such as mobile versions, if a site has iPhone or iPad-specific URLs.
Did we miss anything?
Do you have additional questions? Sound off in the comments below.
Updated January 2020: Updated for iOS 13 and iPadOS 13
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