How to Block Websites on Safari for Better Safety & Productivity

The use of the internet has nowadays become the backbone in this digital era. From gathering information to connecting with others and getting the work done, all involve the use of the internet. But on the other hand, the internet can also act as a hotspot for distractions, inappropriate content, and security threats.

Indeed, it is a great challenge to keep safe online and productive. One is consumed by different distractions after another while working or studying. And this is where knowing how to block websites on Safari comes into effect for Better Safety & Productivity

It, therefore, becomes of the essence that one takes responsibility for one’s online experience by ensuring unwanted sites are blocked in the browser. But then, the question is, how possible is it to block websites on Safar? By blocking a few sites, you can create a more focused and secure browsing experience.

In this article, we will provide a thorough guide on how to block websites on Safari with different devices and methods.

Can I block websites on Safari?

Yes, you can block websites on Safari. Apple has inbuilt settings that help you control access to different websites. You can put restrictions either on blocking adult content or other websites that you think will distract you. This is a great feature for parents seeking ways of protecting your kids online.

Why Website Blocking is Important

Website blocking is indispensable with Safari for several reasons. First, it raises productivity by limiting access to time-wasting sites that reduce your concentration on work. Secondly, it provides a safer browsing experience because the malware and virus-hosting malicious websites are blocked.

Thirdly, it gives parents a better sense of parental control by turning off the sites containing undesirable content from their kids. And lastly, it ensures the probability of online harassment and cyberbullying will be the least. That is, by blocking unwanted websites you make the web environment more regulated and safe.

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How do I block bad content on Safari?

You can block bad content on Safari using the default feature Screen Time on all your Apple devices. Here is a pretty simple step-by-step guide to get you running:

Method 1: Using Screen Time

The default feature included in every Apple device is Screen Time, which allows users to limit the time spent using applications. Even Safari is included here. Block websites with Screen Time by following these steps:

• Open Settings >> Screen Time;
• Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions”;
• Turn “Content & Privacy Restrictions” on;
• Tap “Web Content”;
• Select either “Limit Adult Websites” or “Allowed Websites Only”.
• You can add websites for block or allow.

You can block mature websites automatically, or you can include certain sites on the Never Allow list. This way, unwanted sites will be restricted to entry and hence a more secure digital space will be created.

Method 2: Using Website Restrictions

Website Restrictions is another feature on Apple machines that helps users block certain websites on Safari. Blocking Websites Using Website Restrictions

• Go to Settings > General > Restrictions
• Enable “Restrictions”
• Tap “Websites”
• Tap “Limit Adult Content” or “Specific Websites Only”
• Add websites to block or allow

Method 3: Third Party Apps

Third-party apps are required for blocking websites on Safari, along with a few more advanced features and customization. Examples include Freedom, SelfControl, and Cold Turkey. Using the applications mentioned above, you are able to block websites from all of your devices, make your block list custom, and schedule block sessions.

Some more tips regarding how to block websites on Safari include;

• Combination usage: One can set up Screen Time and Website Restrictions together for added protection.
• Website category blocking: Instead of blocking websites one after another, block categories like social media and entertainment.
• Block sessions via third-party apps: Sessions of block time can be scheduled with the use of third-party applications that automatically block website access at specific times of the day/week.
• Parental controls: If you are a parent, set up parental controls to block inappropriate content for your kids.

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How to Block Websites in Safari for Better Safety & Productivity

• Open Safari and go to the website you would like to block.
• In the top left corner of your screen, click the “Safari” menu and select “Preferences.”
• In the “Preferences” window, click the “Security” tab.
• In the “Web Content” section, select the checkbox next to “Block pop-up windows.”
• Click the “Websites” tab, then click “Restrict Website Access.”
• In the list of sites to restrict, click the “+”.
• Enter the URL for the website you want to block and click “OK.”
• Repeat step 6 for each site you want blocked.
• Click “OK” to close the Preferences window with your changes saved.

Block social media or gaming sites for those who want to increase their productivity. With the same features on “Screen Time”, one can set study or work intervals at which the user will not be able to browse unwanted websites tentatively. That can be useful when working from home or doing your homework without any nonsense.

How to Block Websites on Safari in Mac

Blocking of websites on Safari with a Mac involves the person managing system settings by setting restrictions on the websites. The most direct method of reaching this would involve enabling parental controls, but that is not all ways you can block sites.

Here is how you can block websites on Safari with Mac:

1. Open System Settings: Click the Apple logo located on the topmost left of your Mac, and select “System Settings” from the drop-down menu.
2. Go to Screen Time: In this System Settings menu, find and click “Screen Time”. If this feature isn’t already on, now’s a good time to turn it on. It is designed to be utilized for controlling time usage on specific applications or websites, which includes Safari.
3. Enable Website Restrictions: Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions” in Screen Time. Flip the switch on to activate the restrictions. Tap “Web Content.”
4. Allow Limit Adult Websites or Limit Websites by Specific URL: In Web Content, you have two choices:

• Limit Adult Websites: This will automatically block known adult websites.
• Allowed Websites Only: If you want more control, select “Allowed Websites Only” to list precisely which websites are allowed. You can add manually the sites that you would like blocked. Click “Add Website” under “Never Allow.”.

5. Save Changes: Once you have set up the list of blocked websites, tap save changes. This approach includes blocking a number of websites in Safari either for all the Mac users or one user if you use family sharing.

This process will serve to block websites on Safari for Mac to reduce distractions or to ensure a much safer browsing platform.

How to Block Websites on Safari on iPhone

Blocking websites in Safari using an iPhone isn’t a big deal at all, and you can do this directly through the settings of your device. Here is how you block websites on Safari on any iPhone:

1. Open Settings on Your iPhone: Tap the “Settings” icon on the home screen of your iPhone.
2. Tap the Screen Time option: Scroll down to “Screen Time.” If you haven’t enabled it before, tap that option and follow the prompts to set it up.
3. Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions: Having enabled Screen Time, tap the “Content & Privacy Restrictions” option and switch it on. If you haven’t already set up a Screen Time passcode, you’ll be prompted to do so now. This is a different code from before, which you’ll need to enter any time you want to make changes to your Screen Time settings.
4. Web Content: Under the heading Content Restrictions, tap “Web Content.” You have two choices here:

• Adolescent Websites Limit: Automatically blocks known adult sites, but you can add specific websites that you want to block.
• Allowed Websites Only: More restrictively allows access to specified websites only and blocks everything else.

5. Add Websites to Block: Scroll down and if you have selected “Limit Adult Websites” then tap on “Add Website” under the section “Never Allow.” Type the URL of the website you want to block.
6. Save Changes: Tap Save after adding the websites by back-tapping to get into the previous menu. Now these are the applied restrictions in Safari of your iPhone.

How to block Websites on Safari Mac without Parental Controls

There are other ways to block websites on Safari for Mac, if you don’t want to use parental controls. This method involves editing the host’s file on your Mac. A little advanced, this is a very handy technique not to have to use parental controls. Here’s how to block websites on Safari Mac without parental controls:

1. Launch Terminal: This is going to be a command-line utility whereby you will access the system files and edit them. You can access this through Spotlight by searching “Terminal” or navigating to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
   
2. Edit the Hosts File: In the Terminal window, type the following to open the hosts file in a text editor: sudo nano /etc/hosts. You will now have to enter your Admin password.
   
3. Add Website URLs to Block: Once the hosts file opens, scroll down and add the following line in order to block a certain website: 127.0.0.1 www.website-to-block.com. Replace “www.website-to-block.com” with the URL of the site you want to block. Repeat that for each of the sites you would want to block.
   
4. Save the Hosts File: After adding all the sites you want to block, press Ctrl + O to save the file and then Ctrl + X to exit the text editor.
   
5. Flush DNS Cache: Once you’re through with adding the sites, for changes to take effect, you will have to clear your DNS cache. Open Terminal and enter this command: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
   
6. Open Safari again: Once you follow all of the above, open Safari and you’ll see your blocked websites. Whatever you had added in the hosts file would not be accessible in Safari.

This could be useful when one wants to block certain websites without going for native parental controls, and it would be applied to all browsers, not only to Safari.

Can I block specific pages of a website?

One of the most important things any person trying to be safer and productive online wants to be able to do is block certain pages of a website. Though one may block an entire website, sometimes blocking specific web pages is just a little trickier. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to do it in Safari. 

Built-in Website Restrictions Feature

In that case, the easiest thing would be to block certain web pages on a website by using Safari’s built-in website restriction feature.

Website Restrictions allow one to put a limit on the usage of certain websites or web pages; this is an inbuilt function within the Screen Time section, which in turn can be found in the settings of your device.

From here, they tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions” and then tap the switch next to it to turn it on. Then, they tap “Web Content.” After that, they tap “Limit Adult Websites.” The option pops up with a list of allowed and restricted websites. Then, they can add the web page they want blocked onto the “Never Allow” list.

Third-party content blockers

Third-party content blockers represent another mode of blocking certain web pages of, say, a website. These blockers usually work on filtering unwanted content based on some pre-defined criteria. One of the popular content blockers for Safari includes Freedom.

It will also block distracting websites, including particular pages of any website on all the user’s devices. More to this, users can customize their block sessions by creating rules for different needs. Moreover, the app is designed to block social media, email, or any other distracting websites.

Parental control software

There are also other ways how to block certain pages of some website, and all of them include the help of some kind of parental control software. In general, such programs assist parents in controlling access to several websites and monitoring what their children are browsing. Such an example is Qustodio.

It comes with huge feature sets that could monitor and keep online activities under control, and block on a specific page functionality inside any website. This allows a user to create one’s profile for each member of the family and then configure an Allow/Blocklist for specific websites by blocking access to certain pages.

Browser Extensions

Browser extensions also provide an opportunity to block some web pages of a website. One of such extensions is uBlock Origin. This lightweight extension for ad and tracker blocking works the same for blocking particular web pages within a website.

Further development for customization could include custom filters that block certain pages. This also gives a user a dashboard where they can track and put some sort of control over their online activities.

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FAQs

Conclusion

Website blocking in Safari is an easy and efficient way of improving your online safety and productivity. With these methods discussed in the article, you will be in a position to control online exposure for one that is more safe and secure. 

The internet is a double-edged sword, and it is ours to use with judgment. Ban those irritated websites from your vision right away with just a click of the mouse and enjoy a much better, safer, and more productive online experience.

References

• astrosafe.co/how to block websites on safari
• businessinsider.com/how to block websites on Mac Safari
• makeuseof.com/how to block website safari/
• heyfocus.com/how to block websites on safari/

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