As a parent, you may want to restrict or monitor your child’s access to certain websites. Blocking websites on a Mac is easy to do and can help keep your child safe online. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about blocking and restricting websites on a Mac computer.
Why Block Websites on a Mac?
There are a few key reasons parents often want to block websites on their child’s Mac:
- Limit access to inappropriate content – Blocking adult, violent, or otherwise unsuitable websites helps protect children from stumbling across content that may be disturbing or harmful. This gives you peace of mind as a parent.
- Stay focused on tasks – Blocking social media, gaming, shopping, or other distracting sites during study or work time allows your child to stay focused.
- Manage screen time – Restricting access to entertainment sites or limiting total internet time helps manage unhealthy technology habits.
- Establish boundaries – Making certain sites off-limits teaches children self-control and adherence to rules. It sets clear boundaries on what you consider appropriate online behavior.
Whatever your reason for wanting to block websites, Mac parental controls make it easy to filter and restrict access based on your preferences.
How to Block Websites on a Mac in 3 Steps
Blocking websites on a Mac takes just a few minutes to set up. Follow these three key steps:
1. Enable Parental Controls
The first step is enabling macOS built-in parental control features. Here’s how:
- Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences
- Choose “Parental Controls“
- Authenticate with an administrator account password
- Check the box for “Enable parental controls“
- Add a user account you want to manage (your child’s account)
Once parental controls are turned on for a user, you can customize all settings for that account.
2. Select Website Restrictions
Next, configure website filtering and restrictions:
- Choose the Web tab in Parental Controls
- Select “Try to limit access to adult websites” to block known adult content
- To block additional websites, click “Customize…“
- Enter any domains or web addresses you want to fully block
- Set the dropdown to “Try to limit access” or “Never allow access“
- Save your website list
Repeat this step to add any other individual sites or categories you want to restrict, like social media, shopping, or games.
3. Set Time Limits (Optional)
You can also optionally set daily time limits for web browsing:
- Go back to the Web tab in Parental Controls
- Check “Limit weekday use to” and set the total hours allowed
- Adjust the available hours on weekends or weekdays
- Save the time restrictions
And that’s it! Those three steps will successfully block websites and filter internet access on a Mac.
Tips for Managing Website Restrictions
Here are some useful tips for managing website blocking as a parent:
- Test blocked sites to make sure filtering is working as expected.
- Discuss website rules openly with your child so they understand the limitations.
- Start with broad restrictions at younger ages, then loosen up as they mature.
- Change the admin password so only you can modify the settings.
- Use time limits in moderation as too much can lead to frustration.
- Revisit the settings every few months to keep restrictions reasonable.
- Don’t try to block literally everything; some web access teaches responsibility.
- Consider loosening restrictions for academic sites needed for schoolwork.
- Make sure to set screen time limits on mobile devices too for consistency.
- Look for “Violence,” “Mature,” or “Gambling” tags to identify concerning games.
- Share the access code with other caregivers like grandparents so they can also manage the restrictions.
- Keep an eye out for any attempts to circumvent the parental controls.
- Have open conversations about online safety and responsible internet use.
Setting website limits is all about finding the right balance for your family. The key is using Mac restrictions as one part of a bigger effort to teach children to use the internet safely.
Using Parental Control Apps for Expanded Options
The basic website blocking parental controls in macOS get the job done. But third-party apps can provide expanded options and finer controls if you need them.
Here are some top parental control apps to consider:
Qustodio
Qustodio is a popular parental monitoring app with extensive website and content blocking tools:
- Cross-platform – manages iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and Kindle
- Time limits for total online time or by category
- Filters over 14 million websites into categories
- Blocks inappropriate content and adult material
- Monitors social media activity
- Geofencing limits for where filters apply
- Alerts for concerning activity in app or texts
- Usage reports and location history
Qustodio has paid plans starting at $54.95 per year for up to 5 devices, with a free option for basic use. It offers some of the most robust filtering and time restrictions available.
Net Nanny
Net Nanny emphasizes safe web filtering:
- Blocks millions of sites in 90+ categories
- Blacklists specific sites, keywords, or subdomains
- Forbids access to new sites until reviewed
- Hides or limits adult content
- Sets time allowances and schedules
- Tracks attempts to circumvent filters
- Works across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
- Parent dashboard to monitor activity
Net Nanny has two main paid plans at $39.99 and $59.99 per year supporting an unlimited number of devices.
Norton Family Premier
Norton Family Premier provides full-featured parental supervision:
- Filters websites into categories for blocking
- Sets daily time limits for total or by category
- Monitors search terms and blocks specific words
- Tracks location history
- Restricts access during school or bedtimes
- Pause internet access on demand
- Supports unlimited iOS, Android, Mac & Windows devices
- Easy-to-use parent dashboard
Norton Family Premier has a single $49.99 annual subscription for any number of devices.
Mobicip
Mobicip is made specifically for schools and families:
- Filters Chromebooks, Windows PCs, and mobile
- 30 pre-set web categories to allow or block
- Blocks millions of individual websites
- Customizable whitelist and blacklist
- Sets daily or weekly time restrictions
- Monitors messaging, email, and documents
- Filters apply at home and on cellular networks
- Starting at $39.99 annually per device
Mobicip puts a strong focus on school and learning environments.
Disney Circle
Disney Circle offers basic filtering and monitoring:
- Filters websites by category to block
- Sets time limits and bedtimes
- Rewards extra time through chores/tasks
- Daily usage reports sent to parents
- Works on any network with iOS, Android, Mac & Windows
- Manages unlimited devices
- $99.99 for a 3-year subscription
Disney Circle is easy to set up and sustain as a basic solution.
Think about which restrictions are most important for your family before choosing the right third-party parental control app. Most offer free trials so you can test them out first.
Common Questions about Blocking Sites on a Mac
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about blocking websites on Mac computers:
How do I block all adult sites?
Enable the setting “Try to limit access to adult websites” under the Web tab in Parental Controls. This will restrict access to all known adult content.
Can I block Facebook or other social networks?
Yes, add any sites like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or Snapchat to your Customize restriction list with “Never Allow Access.”
Will website blocking slow down my Mac?
There is a small performance impact but macOS optimizations for Parental Controls keep it minimal. The trade-off for security is generally worth it.
Can website blocking be circumvented?
There are ways tech-savvy kids could potentially bypass some restrictions. But it still creates significant friction/limits. Talk to your child about boundaries.
What happens if a blocked site is accessed?
The user will see a blocked access page. Admins get an email alert of the attempt if notifications are enabled in Parental Controls.
Do restrictions work if my child switches user accounts?
No. Parental Controls are set per user account. Create restrictions on all necessary accounts.
Can I temporarily disable the filters when I supervise my child’s browsing?
Yes, you can quickly turn Parental Controls off and back on as needed for supervised access.
How do I filter websites on my child’s iPhone and iPad too?
Use built-in Content & Privacy Restrictions on iOS devices, or a cross-platform parental control app.
Is it better to allow or block social media sites?
There are good arguments on both sides. Blocking lets you completely restrict unsupervised access. Allowing with time limits teaches balance and accountability.
What is the best way to limit gaming time?
Use Parental Controls to block gaming sites entirely during school/learning times. For consoles, enable restrictions in the device settings or use time limits.
How can I monitor or view my child’s browsing history?
Third-party parental control apps like Qustodio offer full activity reporting. MacOS itself does not log or make history viewable though.
Putting It All Together: A Balanced Approach
- Use website blocking as one part of teaching online responsibility.
- Have ongoing conversations about appropriate internet use.
- Start with strict limits at younger ages, then ease up over time as they prove themselves trustworthy. Preventing all access forever won’t teach self-control.
- Find a middle-ground with flexibility to allow limited, supervised access to some sites.
- Focus more on teaching good habits and ethics than just blocking everything arbitrarily.
- Monitor usage and browsing on devices using parental control apps if needed.
- Make sure to set corresponding restrictions on smartphones, tablets, and game consoles for consistency.
- Recognize that determined kids will try to find loopholes, so remain vigilant.
- Revisit rules regularly and ask for input as they get older. Adapt to their changing needs and maturity.
- Reward responsible use by granting additional privileges.
- Lead by example and limit your own time on devices and websites as well.
Key Takeaways: Blocking Websites on Mac
To recap, here are the key tips to remember:
- Use built-in Parental Controls on Mac OS to restrict websites by category or block individual URLs.
- Enable time limits for total daily or weekly internet access if needed.
- Test that blocking is working as intended on a child’s account.
- Discuss website rules openly and explain why the restrictions are in place.
- Consider a cross-platform parental control app like Qustodio or Net Nanny for expanded options.
- Set corresponding limitations on your child’s iPhone, iPad, consoles, and other devices for consistency.
- Ease up on strict blocking over time as your child proves responsible usage. Keep an open dialogue.
- Focus on modeling positive technology habits as much as just limiting access.
- Find the right balance between protecting your child and allowing internet freedom appropriate for their age.
Following these tips will make blocking websites quick and easy while keeping your child safer online. Use restrictions judiciously as just one part of teaching positive digital citizenship. You’ll both be surfing the web responsibly and confidently in no time.
