iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To restrict adult websites, start with controls on the child’s account or device, then add a home-router filter if you want coverage for devices connected to your home network. The right setup depends on the platform: Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, Microsoft Family Safety, and family DNS services each cover different devices and traffic. None is a guarantee that all unwanted content will be blocked.
Choose controls that match the child’s devices
Use the platform controls for the child’s actual account and device first. They can apply settings more directly than a home-network filter, which only covers devices using that network. You can add router DNS filtering as another layer.
| Option | Coverage | What it filters | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Screen Time | Child’s iPhone or iPad in the Family Sharing group | Adult websites, or all sites except an approved list | Settings and coverage are specific to Apple devices. |
| Google Family Link | Supervised child Google Account; supported controls vary by device and region | Chrome website access and Google Search results, among other account settings | SafeSearch filters search results; it is not a complete website blocker. |
| Microsoft Family Safety | Windows or Xbox family accounts, with browser filtering in supported browsers | Web and search filtering; separate app and game filters | Web filtering depends on using a supported browser. |
| Family DNS on a router | Devices using the configured home network | Domains in the provider’s adult-content category, depending on the service | It does not follow a device onto other networks or replace account controls. |
Set up website restrictions on an iPhone or iPad
Apple Screen Time offers two approaches: a broad adult-website limitation, or a stricter allowlist that limits browsing to sites you approve. Apple’s documented path is:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- Open Settings > Screen Time.
- Under Family, select the child.
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions > App Store, Media, Web, & Games > Web Content.
- Choose Limit Adult Websites or Only Approved Websites. Depending on the mode, add websites to restrict or allow.
Apple recommends keeping devices in the Family Sharing group updated so Screen Time settings and other parental controls work as intended. See Apple’s Screen Time web-content instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Configure Google Family Link, Chrome, and Search
For a supervised child Google Account, Family Link lets parents manage settings for services including Chrome, Google Search, YouTube, and Google Play. The available controls depend on region and device. Google says Family Link does not supervise iPhones, iPads, or computers other than Chromebooks, though a parent can use the Family Link app on an iPhone or iPad to manage settings. Check Google’s Family Link setup and device guidance and its overview of parental controls.
Choose a Google Search filter
In Family Link, open Controls > Google Search, then select Filter, Blur, or Off. Google says Family Link-set SafeSearch preferences cannot be enforced if the child is not signed in or uses another search app. SafeSearch filters Google Search results; it does not by itself block access to explicit websites. For website access, also review Chrome filters. Google’s instructions are in its guide to managing Search settings and Family Link FAQ.
Rank #2
- A New Way to WiFi: Deco Mesh technology gives you a better WiFi experience in all directions with faster WiFi speeds and strong WiFi signal to cover your whole home.
- Better Coverage than traditional WiFi routers: Deco S4 2 units work seamlessly to create a WiFi mesh network that can cover homes up to 3,800 sq. ft. No Dead Zone anymore.
- Seamless and Stable WiFi Mesh: Rather than wifi range extender that need multiple network names and passwords, Deco S4 allows you to enjoy seamless roaming throughout the house, with a single network name and password.
- Incredibly fast 3× 3 6Stream AC1900 speeds makes the deco capable of providing connectivity for up to 75 devices.
- With advanced Deco Mesh Technology, units work together to form a unified network with a single network name. Devices automatically switch between Decos as you move through your home for the fastest possible speeds
Use Microsoft Family Safety on Windows or Xbox
Microsoft Family Safety provides web and search filtering for supported browsers. Its app and game filters are separate controls for Windows and Xbox devices. Microsoft also documents an Only use allowed websites option for an allowlist approach.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Before relying on web filtering, confirm the child is using a supported browser and that the child’s account and device are within the feature’s scope. See Microsoft’s Family Safety web-filtering instructions.
Rank #3
- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 - Designed with the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, featuring Multi-Link Operation (MLO), Multi-RUs, and 4K-QAM. Achieve optimized performance on latest WiFi 7 laptops and devices, like the iPhone 16 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
- 𝟔-𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟔.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐭𝐡 - Achieve full speeds of up to 5764 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band with 6 streams. Enjoy seamless 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming, and incredibly fast downloads/uploads.
- 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Get up to 2,400 sq. ft. max coverage for up to 90 devices at a time. 6x high performance antennas and Beamforming technology, ensures reliable connections for remote workers, gamers, students, and more.
- 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN port and 3x 1 Gbps LAN ports offer high-speed data transmissions.³ Integrate with a multi-gig modem for gigplus internet.
- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Add a family DNS filter to the home network
A family DNS service can add filtering for devices that use your home router. It is useful as a network-level layer, but it does not replace controls tied to a child’s account or device. Router menus vary by manufacturer, so consult the router’s documentation, record the existing DNS settings before changing them, and verify the result using the provider’s test instructions.
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families
For malware and adult-content filtering, Cloudflare documents these DNS addresses:
Rank #4
- OneMesh Compatible Router - Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders
- Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 Technology – The Archer AX10 leverages advanced Wi-Fi 6 features like OFDMA and 1024-QAM to deliver improved efficiency across your entire network. Perfect for high-bandwidth activities like streaming, gaming, and smart home connectivity.
- Next-gen Dual Band router - 300 Mbps on 2. 4 GHz (802. 11n) plus 1201 Mbps on 5 GHz (802. 11ax)
- Connect more devices than ever before - Wi-Fi 6 technology simultaneously communicates more data to more devices using OFDMA and MU-MIMO while reducing lag dramatically
- Powerful Dual-Core 900MHz Processor – Handles multiple data streams simultaneously for reliable performance across your devices. Ensures smooth streaming, online gaming, and video conferencing without buffering or lag.
- IPv4: 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3
- IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1113 and 2606:4700:4700::1003
Setting these on a router applies the DNS setting to devices on that network. Follow Cloudflare’s router setup instructions for the specific configuration and verification steps.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →OpenDNS FamilyShield
Cisco describes FamilyShield as DNS-based filtering for sites commonly categorized as adult content. Its listed nameservers are 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123. Configure them on a router or device using OpenDNS’s FamilyShield setup guide.
Best Value
- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕: Powered by Wi-Fi 7 technology, enjoy faster speeds with Multi-Link Operation, increased reliability with Multi-RUs, and more data capacity with 4K-QAM, delivering enhanced performance for all your devices.
- 𝐁𝐄𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫: Delivers up to 2882 Mbps (5 GHz), and 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz) speeds for 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming & more. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance, and obstacles like walls.
- 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐆𝐢𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑×𝟏𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬: Maximize Gigabitplus internet with one 2.5G WAN/LAN port, one 2.5 Gbps LAN port, plus three additional 1 Gbps LAN ports. Break the 1G barrier for seamless, high-speed connectivity from the internet to multiple LAN devices for enhanced performance.
- 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭-𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝟐.𝟎 𝐆𝐇𝐳 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐝-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫: Experience power and precision with a state-of-the-art processor that effortlessly manages high throughput. Eliminate lag and enjoy fast connections with minimal latency, even during heavy data transmissions.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 - Covers up to 2,000 sq. ft. for up to 60 devices at a time. 4 internal antennas and beamforming technology focus Wi-Fi signals toward hard-to-reach areas. Seamlessly connect phones, TVs, and gaming consoles.
Router controls built into your equipment
Some routers include website blocking, inappropriate-content filters, schedules, and time limits. TP-Link documents these capabilities, but availability depends on the exact hardware version and firmware. Check the documentation for your router model before relying on a feature. Buying a new router is optional if your current router supports suitable DNS settings. See TP-Link’s parental-controls information.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check where each filter applies
Filters do not all act at the same point. Account settings may depend on the child being signed in; browser filters depend on the browser; router DNS applies only while a device uses that network. These differences matter when a child switches devices, browsers, search apps, or networks.
- For Apple devices, configure Screen Time on the child’s iPhone or iPad.
- For Google, check that the child is supervised and signed in, and review both Chrome and Search settings.
- For Microsoft, verify that the child uses a supported browser for web filtering.
- For a router DNS filter, remember that the setting covers the home network rather than every place a device connects.
Know what filtering can and cannot do
Google’s Family Link FAQ says, “Family Link does not block inappropriate content, but the settings within provide you with filtering options.” Google also notes that filters are imperfect and some explicit or unwanted material may still get through. Treat every control as a way to reduce exposure, not as a guarantee of complete blocking.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
