If you are a father or mother and you are interested in blocking and want block some apps and pages that your son or daughter cannot access, we teach you how to do it step by step, both with specific applications and with parental control tools and system settingsThis way you won't have to worry about anything if your children use your phone, and you can also use these methods to Avoid distractions and increase your productivity.
There are several ways to do this; we'll tell you about several to make it easier for you and so you can choose the one that best suits your needs: app blocking, browser blocking, parental controls, DNS filtering, Digital Wellbeing, and even router-level options, useful for avoid procrastination.
BlockSite
The first and possibly the simplest option is BlockSitean app that allows Block websites from all browsers on your deviceThis means that even if you have multiple browsers installed, No one will be able to open the websites you have added to the block listIt's ideal if you want a quick, visual, and easy-to-set-up solution.
You will have to install it from the Play StoreTo grant the necessary accessibility and usage permissions, simply tap the plus (+) button located in the bottom left corner of the screen. This will then allow you to directly Write a website to block it or select it from your history.
But it also allows you block appsThe process is the same, but instead of going to websites, you swipe right or tap "app" to select which app on your phone you want to block. This is very useful for social media, games, or video platforms that take up your time or that you don't want young children to access.
BlockSite also includes advanced options inspired by other productivity apps like AppBlock or Stay Focused: you can create blocking times (for example, blocking social media during study hours), establish blacklists and whitelists of sites and apps, and even protect the settings with a code or password so that no one can modify the locks without your permission.
When you try to access it, you'll see a message saying that the app or website is being blocked and therefore cannot be visited. In many cases, you may even be able to... redirect the blocked website to a more productive one (for example, to an educational page), a very useful technique if you want to help your children focus on studying.
Plugins for your browser
If you only use a browser and do not intend to block any app, you can install add-ons in your browser to do the same functionIn Firefox, for example, you can easily find them in the three dots located in the upper right corner, which allows you to see different browser options, including AccessoriesClick there and select Browse all Firefox add-ons.
There you can install popular add-ons like UBlock origin o AdBlockwhich are excellent for block dangerous ads and pop-upsBut you can also search for what interests us now, which is the website blocker. In the search bar located in the upper left corner of the screen, you can search for whatever you want; in this case, search for BlockSiteAnd besides finding the same application we mentioned before, you'll also see other options with the same or similar names; it's a matter of choosing the add-on that It allows you to create lists of blocked sites and, if possible, schedule times..
Browser website blocking add-ons work similarly: you create a list of addresses you don't want to load, and when you try to visit them, the add-on blocks them. blocks them or redirects themMany of them also belong adult content filters, gambling, or malware, ideal for a first level of protection without the need to install several additional apps.
This also applies to any other browser that allows add-ons: for example, some Chromium-based browsers allow you to install ad blocker extensions or website blockers that work in a very similar way. If your browser doesn't support add-ons, you can search Android versions that do allow them or combine this solution with BlockSite (or similar apps that you find you like, of course).
Digital wellbeing and time management on Android
In addition to third-party apps, Android includes the tool Digital Wellbeing, designed to manage screen time and limit the use of apps and sitesAlthough its focus is on productivity and digital balance, it can also be used to block specific websites visited from Google Chrome.
Digital Wellbeing shows a usage time control panel in each app and, in the case of Chrome, allows you to see the websites you visit most frequently and set time limits using a with a timerIf you mark a site with 0 hours and 0 minutes, that site will practically remain locked on your devicebecause once the limit is reached, it won't let you open it again until the next day.
To use it, you just need to go into Settings, search Digital Wellbeing and parental controls, access Control panel, locate Chrome, click on Show sites you visit and from there, apply a timer to each pageIt's a very interesting alternative if you want Block without installing additional apps and also control the time you or your children spend on each website.
It's worth remembering that Digital Wellbeing also allows limit the use of any appSimply tap the hourglass icon next to an app and set a maximum daily usage time. If you choose 0 hours and 0 minutes, the app will be completely blocked. This makes it a perfect tool for block highly addictive apps without additional complications.
Other advanced options for blocking websites and apps
If you need even more complete control, you can combine the previous options with other tools and settings available on Android and your network:
- Parental control apps such as Google Family Link, Qustodio or Norton Family, which allow you to filter entire categories (adult content, gambling, violence), approve or deny apps and receive activity reports.
- Filtered DNS services, such as OpenDNS or CleanBrowsing, which block dangerous or inappropriate sites before they reach the device, very useful when several mobiles and tablets share the same WiFi.
- Firewall-type apps (for example, NetGuard) that allow you to control which apps can connect to the Internet and, in some cases, create specific rules to block specific domains.
- Router Configurationusing the parental control or URL filtering menu included in many models, so that all devices connected to your home network respect the same restrictions.
These types of solutions are inspired by tools such as Android Website Blocker, AppBlock, or some antivirus suites with integrated parental controls, which allow you to set time limits, lists of allowed websites, blocking of dangerous categories, and protection against malwareApplied to your Android mobile, the goal is the same: to reduce distractions, improve security, and prevent minors from accessing content that is not suitable for their age.
With all this, your son or daughter will be much better protected from the vast amount of information found on the internet, and at the same time, you'll be able to use your own mobile phone more consciously. By combining apps like BlockSite, Digital Wellbeing, browser add-ons, and, if needed, parental controls or filtered DNS, it's possible to create a safer Android environment. safe, adapted to each age and much more productive.
