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How I Block Websites and Set Up Parental Controls at Home (2026 Guide)

A family using devices safely at home

Short answer: you can block websites and set healthy limits without buying anything, using the parental controls already built into Windows, phones and most home routers. The old advice about blocking specific sites is outdated, the modern approach is account-level controls that follow the child across devices. Here is what I set up.

1. Account-level controls (the best starting point)

Google Family Link for Android and Apple Screen Time for iPhone let you filter content, set app limits and see activity, and the settings travel with the child's account on any device.

2. Block sites on the Windows PC

Windows lets you create a child account with content filtering through Microsoft Family Safety. For a quick manual block, an administrator can add specific domains to the hosts file, though account controls are easier to maintain.

3. Block at the router (covers the whole house)

Most routers have parental controls or let you set a family-friendly DNS. Pointing your router to a filtering DNS service blocks adult content for every device on the network at once, which is the most robust option.

The non-obvious part: blocking is not the whole answer

Technical blocks are easy to route around as kids get older. The controls above buy you time, but an honest conversation about online safety, strangers, and sharing personal information does more than any filter. Use the tools to support the talk, not replace it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I block a website for my child?

Use account-level parental controls like Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time, or set a filtering DNS on your home router to cover every device.

Are there free parental control tools?

Yes. Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time and Microsoft Family Safety are all free, plus most routers include parental controls.

Is blocking websites enough to keep kids safe online?

No. Blocks help but can be bypassed as kids grow. Combine them with an ongoing conversation about online safety and privacy.

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