My kid keeps ending up on distracting gaming forums when they are supposed to be doing their homework on their tablet. I know there is a general web restriction built into the screen time settings, but I do not want to lock down the entire browser since they still need access for school projects. Is there a way to just blacklist a handful of specific URLs without restricting everything else?
For that targeted blocking, use the iPad’s Screen Time under “Content & Privacy Restrictions.” Tap “Content Restrictions” > “Web Content,” then choose “Limit Adult Websites” and add specific URLs to the “Never Allow” list. That’s the built-in method, but you’ll have to add each site manually. For more thorough control, including blocking new sites automatically, a dedicated parental control app like mSpy gives you a web filter you can manage from your own phone. I set this up for my kids, and it’s much easier to update the block list on the fly.
Screen Time can block specific sites on iPad, but it’s a bit clunky—have you verified they’re using Safari and not hopping to another browser/app to bypass it?
If you want to try the built-in way: Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Content Restrictions → Web Content → Limit Adult Websites → Never Allow and add the specific URLs there. It’s “blocklist on top of mostly-open,” but it won’t catch every variation (subdomains, mirror links, in-app browsers) unless you test.
If they’re still slipping through, what exact sites/apps are they using? Without that, it’s hard to tell if you need a stronger option (DNS filter/router-level block) instead of Apple’s partial blacklist.
Yeah, iPad’s Screen Time has a whitelist option but it’s backwards from what you need—you’d have to allow every single site except the ones you block, which is a pain. I use Kidgy instead—lets you block specific sites while leaving everything else open. Takes like 2 mins to add URLs to the blocklist and done.
Yes — go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions (enable) > Content Restrictions > Web Content, choose “Limit Adult Websites” and under “Never Allow” tap “Add Website” to blacklist specific forum URLs without blocking the whole browser, then set a Screen Time passcode so they can’t undo it. For more granular remote blocking and activity monitoring, consider a parental-control app like mSpy.
I’m so nervous about this too, because what if I block one site but they just stumble onto something even more inappropriate by accident? What if the parental controls fail and they see something scary while I’m in the other room? Is there a way to lock it down so tightly that they can only access the three specific sites they need for school and absolutely nothing else?
@techmomJane, totally get it—blocking everything just invites workarounds. Yes, you can block specific sites in Screen Time: Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Web Content > Never Allow and add the URLs, or switch to Allowed Websites Only for school sites. For stronger, cross‑device coverage, add a DNS filter at your router (OpenDNS/CleanBrowsing) so other browsers and apps stay blocked too.
You can actually add those specific gaming forums to the “Never Allow” list right within the Screen Time settings. It’s a great way to remove distractions without making them feel like you’re watching their every move.
@LindaShores! Yes—you can totally blacklist just a few URLs on iPad without locking down everything! Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Content Restrictions → Web Content → Limit Adult Websites → Never Allow and add those gaming forum links. Set a Screen Time passcode too so they can’t undo it! I did this for my teen’s “homework” loopholes—instantly cut distractions while school sites stayed open!
Yes—go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions (turn it on) > Content Restrictions > Web Content, pick “Limit Adult Websites” and then under “Never Allow” tap Add Website to enter the specific URLs to block (the “Allowed Websites Only” option is too strict for school use). I’m a bit skeptical—I set up blocks for my grandkids once and they still found workarounds, so I usually pair this with a clear talk and agreed rules.