With today’s increasingly digital environment, it can be harder for kids to avoid viewing pornographic or explicit material on computers and other devices. While open communication and discussion about online behavior is an effective first step, parents can also take measures such as blocking specific websites or content on PCs, Macbooks, tablets and other devices – from apps that block certain sites on individual PCs or Macbooks through Circle hardware that restricts WiFi networks to changing DNS settings and blocking harmful websites on home or business WiFi networks – in order to help their children.
Use of free service OpenDNS Family allows you to alter your router’s default DNS server settings to one of their safe or family-friendly ones, immediately blocking most porn sites on all devices connected to your WiFi. There are even Android and iOS apps designed to block specific websites or keywords on mobile phones allowing adults to block porno websites easily from any browser.
One effective way to protect children from encountering explicit content by accident is enabling Google’s SafeSearch feature, which automatically attempts to filter sexually explicit or violent search results. You can do this in either your browser’s settings menu or through SafeSearch Plus; apps also exist which claim they can block explicit material but these may let some through.
The App Store features several iPhone applications designed to block porn, though most only work in Safari and may not be as effective. As an alternative, use of hosts files can effectively block adult websites on either Mac or PC computers.
To do this, you will require administrator privileges on your computer. With a text editor such as Notepad, navigate to the drive where Windows is installed (usually C). In Hosts folder, locate and open HOSTS file; look for line containing “#default gateway”, replace it with IP address of router then save and reboot computer.
BlockSmart software provides another method for blocking adult content on Windows PCs by setting a password to log into it and block URLs that you don’t wish to see, or select categories such as nudity, sexuality or suggestive images that BlockSmart will block. It is especially beneficial in schools and businesses as its easy setup makes blocking sites simple but can still be bypassed if someone knows your password; for additional protection consider investing in a virtual private network VPN which protects data against unwanted spying and can keep connections private as well.