There is a website for just about everything. If you can imagine it, chances are there is already a forum somewhere dedicated to it with people sharing exactly the information you need to know. The internet is an indispensable tool for learning, entertainment and communication, but its vastness comes with downsides. It can be endlessly distracting and a hinderance to productivity, and is full of potential dangers and inappropriate content that it is worryingly easy to stumble across.
Sometimes it’s useful to know how to shut out some of the internet noise. If you want to learn how to block a website you are in the right place. Here we will detail specific instructions for how to block websites that are no longer serving you.
Why Would a Website Warrant Blocking?
There are plenty of scenarios in which blocking a website much be necessary.
- Inappropriate content – Many websites contain material that is unsuitable for certain audiences. Explicit material, hate speech and violence are readily available to the average browser unless you put the necessary restrictions in place.
- Productivity enhancement – If you find yourself surfing for hours on end with no real goal and to the detriment of your daily tasks, blocking a website that consumes a lot of unnecessary time could help you to stay focused.
- Security threats – Unsecure websites can be a way for you to unintentionally introduce malware to your computer. Blocking access to any malicious websites can help to reduce the risks of infecting your device with a virus, or falling victim to a scam.
- Addiction management – The internet can be a dangerous place for people who struggle with compulsive behaviors. Excessive gaming, gambling, and spending can all be curbed by blocking access to triggering websites.
How to Block a Website on Chrome
The easiest way to block a website when using Chrome is by installing a browser extension. Chrome’s built-in features only allow for varying degrees of blocking, and most of these restrictions revolve around controlling what information of yours the website can access – not preventing you from visiting the website.
To do this you need to:
- Go to your Chrome Settings by selecting the three dots to the far right of your browser window.
- From there select Privacy and Security.
- In this section, select Site Settings.
- With these controls you can limit the information you share with websites,, and block intrusive ads.
Through browser extensions such as Block Site or StayFocusd you can set up a list of websites that you want to block, and even set exactly when you want them blocked for and how long.
You can do this by:
- Selecting the three dots to the far right of your browser window.
- Selecting Extensions from the options available.
- Choosing to visit the Chrome Web Store, and searching for your desired extension, before clicking Add to Chrome.
This might be useful for situations where you need to cut down on your screentime but not cut out certain websites entirely.
If you’re a parent looking to exercise some control over your child’s internet access parameters, Chrome can also use Google’s Family Link service to put parental controls in place. Not only is this helpful for reducing the risk of your children seeing inappropriate content, but it can also curb unhealthy screen time.
How to Block a Website on Safari
There are a few different ways to block websites through the Safari browser. Similarly to Chrome, a third-party app may be the most convenient and customizable way, but if you prefer to work with built-in tools you could consider using Screen Time.
Screen Time works to limit the amount of time spent on different apps, and works on both iOs computers and mobile devices. You can find Screen Time controls through System Settings, and also use the Content Restrictions settings to limit adult websites, or any other websites you need to manually input the URLs for.
Implementing Parental Controls
One of the main reasons for wanting to block certain websites and platforms is in order to keep children protected while using the internet. Network-wide parental controls can be implemented through your router, providing a comprehensive way to manage internet access for any and all devices connected to your home network. This saves the time and energy of trying to manage the settings of multiple individual devices, and gives parents a centralized management interface from which to customize the necessary restrictions.
Are there parental controls for mobile devices?
If you’re struggling with understanding how to block a website on your computer and can’t imagine how to begin the process with a cellphone, exercising parental controls from the router is a great option. These settings aren’t device specific, and will work on anything that has the ability to connect to the internet.
Both iOS and Android devices offer parental control features for parents to restrict their children’s access to certain content, though there is always the risk of tech-savvy teens finding their way around these restrictions.
Increasing Productivity with Website Blocking
The average person spends over six hours a day online. That’s 25% of a day that could be spent differently – focusing on productivity, or relaxation, or any number of things other than staring at a screen.
Website blocking can be a powerful tool for enhancing productivity and focus. Eliminating certain online distractions can help you to create an environment that’s more conducive for concentration – and comes with physical health benefits. Too much time online can cause unhealthy weight gain, cause difficulty sleeping, and even cause joint and muscle pain by contributing to poor posture.
Guarding your mental health
Excessive internet use, particularly on social media and other time-consuming websites, can take a toll on your mental health as well as your physical health. More than just distractions, certain websites can actually contribute to the development and exacerbation of unhealthy habits. Examples of these include social media platforms that encourage comparison, gambling websites, and websites promoting unhealthy habits such as disordered eating.
If you feel like spending too much time on certain websites is beginning to impact your mental health, blocking them may be the first step to feeling better.
Protecting Privacy and Security
As well as giving parents the ability to screen what their children see online, and boosting productivity, knowing how to block a website contributes towards safeguarding your privacy and security online. Here’s how:
- Limiting the spread of malware, viruses, and other online scams by blocking malicious websites.
- Stopping websites from being able to track your online activity or collect your personal data.
- Reducing the impact of annoying pop-up ads by blocking invasive advertising techniques.
No matter how and when you choose to restrict your access to certain websites, in doing so you are fostering a safer, healthier and more focused online environment.
Secure Your System With iolo
Knowing how to block a website on your computer is useful, but have you considered blocking your data from websites? If you’re looking to upgrade your privacy when online, our Privacy Guardian software can provide digital fingerprinting protection, keeping your data from being used against you. It’s just one of the many products from iolo that can make you feel secure when online.
