How to Block Websites on Your Child's Android Phone: Step-by-Step Guide

Your child has an Android phone or tablet and you want to make sure they don't have access to inappropriate content. That's completely reasonable. The good news is you don't need to be a tech expert, there are simple ways to do it.

In this guide you'll find 3 methods, from the quickest to the most comprehensive. Pick the one that fits your needs.

Quick method comparison

Let's look at each method in detail.

Method 1: Google SafeSearch (5 minutes)

This is the quickest solution, but also the most basic. SafeSearch filters Google search results so that pornographic or violent content doesn't appear.

Steps:

1. Open Chrome on your child's device
2. Go to google.com/preferences
3. Under "SafeSearch", select "Filter"
4. Tap "Save"

What it catches and what it misses:

This method only filters Google search results. It doesn't block specific websites if your child types the address directly, or if they use a different browser or search engine. It's a good first step, but it's not enough on its own.

Method 2: Google Family Link (15 minutes)

Family Link is Google's free parental control solution. It offers quite a few features, but it also has some significant limitations.

Steps:

1. Download Google Family Link on your own phone (from the Play Store)
2. Create or link your child's Google account
3. On your child's device, sign in with their account and accept supervision
4. From your app, go to Settings then Filters on Google Chrome
5. Select "Only allow approved websites" or "Block adult sites"
6. Add specific websites to the blocklist if you want

What it does well:

Family Link gives you quite a bit for free: you can see which apps your child is using, set time limits, approve or reject Play Store downloads, and filter websites in Chrome.

Where it falls short:

It only works in Chrome. If your child downloads a different browser, the filters won't apply. It doesn't filter content inside apps (such as TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube). And the activity reports are fairly basic: you can see screen time per app, but you won't know exactly what your child is doing inside each one.

For many families, Family Link is enough as a starting point, especially for younger children who aren't using many apps yet.

Method 3: Parental control app (10 minutes)

If you want more comprehensive protection, filtering at the device level rather than just in the browser, you'll need a dedicated parental control app.

What a parental control app does that free tools don't:

• Filters across all browsers and apps, not just Chrome
• Content categorisation: automatically blocks categories (pornography, violence, gambling, etc.) without you needing to know every URL
• Age-based settings: automatic profiles based on your child's age
• Activity reports: what they visit and how much time they spend
• Alerts: notifies you when something needs your attention

Steps with SafeNeat:

1. Download SafeNeat on your child's device from safeneat.com
2. Create an account and add your child
3. Select an age group and the right filters are applied automatically
4. Set time limits if you want (or keep the defaults)
5. That's it: the app runs in the background

The key difference is that you don't need to know which websites to block. The app uses databases of millions of categorised websites and automatically analyses new content. You simply choose what is appropriate for your child's age.

Which method should I choose?

It depends on your child's age and your needs:

First, if you haven't decided yet how much screen time is appropriate, check out our guide on recommended screen time by age group.

Child aged 5–7 who only uses a tablet at home: Family Link is probably enough. Set up Chrome filters and download approval.

Child aged 8–12 with their own phone: This is where you'll start to need something more comprehensive. They'll download apps, use social media, and explore things. A parental control app gives you visibility without micromanaging every move.

Teenager aged 13–17: You need a balance between protection and autonomy. Filters for the most serious content (pornography, violence, gambling) but without locking everything down. Activity reports rather than strict blocks.

Tips that make a difference

No matter which method you choose, there are a few things worth keeping in mind:

No filter is 100% reliable. There will always be something that slips through, and there will always be something that gets blocked for no good reason. Filters are a safety net, not a wall.

Talk to your child. Explain why the filters are there. They're not a punishment, they're protection. A child who understands the reason reacts much better.

Don't try to block websites one by one. It's impossible to blacklist the entire internet. Use tools that filter by category, not individual URLs.

Check in regularly. Every now and then, glance at the reports. See what they're searching for and what they're visiting. You don't need to do it every day: once a week is enough.

Frequently asked questions

Can my child bypass the filters?

It depends on the method. SafeSearch is very easy to bypass (by switching browser or search engine). Family Link is harder but not impossible. Dedicated parental control apps are the hardest to get around because they work at the device level, not just in the browser.

Will my child know I've set up filters?

Yes, probably, and that's not a bad thing. Transparency is better than secrecy. Tell your child there are filters and why. Hidden filters might work in the short term, but they damage trust in the long run.

Can I block specific apps (such as TikTok)?

With Family Link you can prevent app downloads or lock specific apps. With parental control apps you can also set time limits per app, for example TikTok for just 30 minutes a day.

Do I need access to my child's phone to set up the filters?

For the initial setup, yes: you'll need physical access to the device. After that, you can manage everything from your own device.

Does it work on Wi-Fi only, or on mobile data too?

Filters in dedicated parental control apps work on both Wi-Fi and mobile data. SafeSearch and Family Link also work on mobile data, but only within the apps they control (Chrome).