Information for parents

  • Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac). Screen Time lets you turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions and choose Limit Adult Websites, which filters adult content in Safari. You can also use Ask to Browse, so a child must request approval for each new website, and allow trusted sites in advance. Limit Adult Websites is switched on by default for child accounts under 18.
  • Android phones and Chromebooks. Google Family Link lets you block inappropriate sites, require approval for new apps and set daily time limits and downtime schedules. It also applies parental controls to Chrome, Google Play, YouTube and Google Search.
  • Windows computers. Microsoft Family Safety includes a web safety setting that filters inappropriate websites and searches in Microsoft Edge. When it is on, other browsers are blocked, so a child cannot simply switch to a different one. You can also enter specific sites to block, or allow only the sites you approve.

    • Create a separate child account on each device, protect the parent account with a strong password, and never share that password with your children. Check the settings from time to time, because system updates sometimes reset them.

    Protect the whole home network

    Filtering on the router protects every device connected to your Wi-Fi, including game consoles, smart TVs and visitors' phones. One of the simplest free options is a filtered DNS service. For example, Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 for Families blocks malware and adult content when you set your router's DNS servers to 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3 (IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1113 and 2606:4700:4700::1003). No account or software is needed, and it applies to all devices on the network.

    Keep in mind that DNS filtering has limits. Some browsers use their own encrypted DNS settings that bypass the router, and a child who knows how to use a VPN or mobile data can avoid home network filters. If a filter seems not to work, restart the router, clear the device's DNS cache and check that the browser is not overriding your DNS settings.

    Safe search and apps

    • Turn on SafeSearch in Google, Bing and other search engines on every browser your children use.
    • Use the restricted modes of video platforms, or child versions of apps where they exist.
    • Review which apps are installed and what age ratings they carry, especially messaging apps, which can be a route to inappropriate content.
    • Disable automatic downloads of media shared in group chats where possible.

    Talk to your children

    Technology is only a part of the solution. Children who feel they can talk to their parents without being punished are much safer online. A few practical suggestions:

    • Start the conversation early and keep it calm. Explain that some websites are meant only for adults and why.
    • Ask what they have seen online and how it made them feel. Listen without judgment.
    • Explain that what appears in adult videos is staged and does not reflect real relationships.
    • Agree on simple family rules: where devices are used, how long, and what to do if something upsetting appears on screen.
    • Tell them they can always come to you, even if they made a mistake or visited a site they should not have.

    If your child has already seen adult content

    Do not panic or punish. Curiosity is normal. Calmly explain what they saw, answer questions honestly in a way that fits their age, and review your filters together. If you notice signs of distress, anxiety or compulsive behavior, consider talking to a pediatrician or a child psychologist.

    Contact us

    If you are a parent and you found that your child accessed this website, or if you want to report a problem with any content, please write to us at the contact address shown in the site footer. We take every message seriously and will respond as soon as possible.

    Thank you for helping us keep the internet safer for children.