Our Complete Guide to Web Filtering and Browsers
The Root of the Problem
The root of the problem when it comes to ‘Parenting Technology’ begins with what content comes into your home. There are typically three paths:
- What comes via web browsing over Wifi
- What comes via web browsing over cellular
- What comes through the major content providers (YouTube, Amazon, Netflix, cable TV)
Parents need to consider all three sources when setting up parental controls. In this guide, we focus on web browsing and filtering, but have made sure to help you cover all the bases in Our Complete Guide to the Major Content Providers.
Filtering for Web Browsers (Wifi and Cellular)
We recommend that parents limit their kids to one browser to sidestep having to set parental controls in one more place. We tested Safari Restrictions extensively and think they are fairly effective as they:
- Automatically disable the Private Browsing Mode
- Can be enabled for both iOS devices and Mac Computers
- Filter out content on devices when using cellular or Wifi, so your child’s web-browsing activity is covered at home and on-the-go
- Require a passcode to activate and make any changes
We also recommend targeting the other areas where kids are the most likely to stumble upon questionable content. Given that YouTube is the most popular platform among teens, and 81% of parents with kids under 11 permit their children to watch, we recommend activating YouTube’s Restricted mode. It’s important for parents to remember that YouTube is both an app and browser-based, so it is easily accessible via any web browser which is why we’re covering it in this guide.
For practical considerations and for most use cases, we believe that combining the following is fairly effective in protecting your kids from inappropriate content:
For Younger Kids:
KidzSearch Browser (Google has filtered out content)
or
Safari Browser with Safari Restrictions
+
YouTube Restricted mode
For Older Kids:
Safari Browser with Safari Restrictions
+
YouTube Restricted mode
Parents should know that YouTube’s Restricted mode is easy for any child to deactivate. Because of this, we recommend that parents discourage their child from using the YouTube app, and be sure to use Safari Restrictions. Safari Restrictions will still provide some protection in YouTube’s browser version even if Restricted mode is turned off, but do not work in the YouTube app.
There is YouTube Kids which already filters out content, but for a more dependable solution there is Mobicip. It is the only content filter that works for both youtube.com and the YouTube app, and it blocks private browsing (~$40/year).
See Our Guides.
Setting Safari Restrictions
For iPhone/ iPad -iOS 11
For iPhone/ iPad -iOS 12
For the Mac
Setting YouTube Restricted Mode
For the computer:
For the iphone/ipad (the browser version):
For the iphone/ipad (the app):
If parents want to monitor their kids on YouTube, they can:
- Use Screen Time (iOS 12) to see how much time their kids are spending on it
- Review Watch History found in YouTube’s Settings
See Our Complete Guide to YouTube for more information.
When Safari Restrictions are enabled, but YouTube’s Restricted mode is Off
When Safari Restrictions are enabled and YouTube’s Restricted mode is ON
A Note about Chrome
While Chrome is the most popular browser, we still believe that that Safari is the better option. Safari allows parents to lock settings with a parental passcode, whereas Chrome does not.