What blocking means and why you might do it

Blocking means preventing a website, app, or service from opening on your device. You can block at different levels: stop a single website from loading in your browser, prevent an app from running on your phone, or restrict what a device can connect to across your whole network.

People block for different reasons. Parents block sites to keep children away from adult content. You might block a social media app to reduce distractions during work. Some block ad networks to speed up browsing. Others block tracking services to limit data collection. The method you choose depends on what you're blocking and which device you're using.

Blocking is not the same as deleting. The website or app still exists — you're just preventing it from running on your device. You can usually unblock it later if you change your mind.

Key Takeaways

  • Browser extensions like uBlock Origin and Freedom block websites at the browser level, so the block only applies when you use that browser on that device.
  • Operating system settings let you block apps on phones and computers, and these blocks work across all browsers and apps on that device.
  • Router-level blocking prevents any device on your home network from reaching certain sites, but requires access to your router's admin panel.
  • Parental control software like Google Family Link and Apple Screen Time can block content and set time limits, but the person being restricted can sometimes bypass them.
  • DNS filtering services like OpenDNS redirect blocked sites to an error page before they load, and work on any device connected to your network.

Blocking websites in your browser

The easiest way to block a single website is through a browser extension. uBlock Origin (available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge) blocks ads and lets you add custom sites to a blocklist. Freedom blocks websites and apps across your devices and syncs your blocklist. Cold Turkey is more aggressive — it locks you out of blocked sites even if you restart your browser or computer.

To block a site in uBlock Origin: install the extension, click its icon in your toolbar, click the power button to turn it on for that site, then refresh the page. The site won't load next time you visit. To add a site to a permanent blocklist, click the extension icon, select the three-line menu, go to "My filters," and type ||example.com^ (replace example.com with the actual domain).

Browser-level blocking only works in that browser on that device. If you use Chrome on your laptop, a blocked site will still load in Firefox or Safari, and still loads on your phone. For that reason, browser blocking works best for blocking distracting sites you visit intentionally, not for blocking content you want to prevent yourself or others from accessing across devices.

Blocking apps and websites on phones and tablets

On Android, you can block apps through Settings. Go to Settings > Apps, select the app you want to block, tap "Disable" or "Uninstall" (Disable prevents it from running; Uninstall removes it). You can also use Google Family Link if you're setting up restrictions for a child — it blocks apps, sets screen time limits, and requires approval before new apps install.

On iPhone and iPad, use Screen Time. Go to Settings > Screen Time, tap "App Limits," select a category or individual app, and set a time limit. When the limit expires, the app closes and requires your passcode to open again. You can also go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle off specific app categories.

Both systems let you block websites too. On Android, open Chrome, go to Settings > Safety, and enable "Safe Browsing" to block known malware and phishing sites. On iPhone, use Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Web Content and choose "Limit Adult Websites," then add specific sites to block under "Never Allow."

Blocking at the router level

Router-level blocking prevents any device on your home network from reaching certain sites, whether they're using a phone, laptop, or tablet. This works because all traffic from your devices passes through your router before reaching the internet.

To block sites at the router level, you need to log into your router's admin panel. Open a browser, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar, and log in with your router's username and password (usually printed on the router itself or in your setup paperwork). Look for a section called "Parental Controls," "Access Control," or "Firewall." The exact steps vary by router brand — Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, and others have different interfaces — so check your router's manual or manufacturer website for specific instructions.

Router blocking is powerful because it applies to everyone on your network, but it also requires technical knowledge and access to the router. If someone else on your network changes the router password, you lose control. It also doesn't work on devices outside your home network (like a phone on cellular data).

Using DNS filtering to block sites network-wide

DNS filtering works by intercepting the request your device makes when you type a website address. Instead of letting that request reach the real website, the filter redirects it to an error page or a blank page. Services like OpenDNS, Cloudflare for Families, and NextDNS offer this.

DNS filtering is more flexible than router blocking because you can set it up on individual devices without touching your router. On your phone or computer, you change your DNS settings to point to the filtering service instead of your internet provider's DNS. On iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi > (your network) > Configure DNS > Manual, then enter the DNS addresses provided by the service. On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced > Private DNS and enter the service's DNS address.

The advantage is that DNS filtering works across all browsers and apps on that device, and you can set different rules for different devices. The disadvantage is that someone with technical knowledge can change the DNS settings back, or use a VPN to bypass the filter entirely.

Blocking content for children

Google Family Link (for Android and Chromebook) and Apple Screen Time (for iPhone, iPad, and Mac) are designed specifically for parental control. Both let you block apps, set screen time limits, see what your child is doing, and require approval before they install new apps.

Family Link lets you block specific apps and set daily screen time limits. When the limit is reached, the device locks until you unlock it. You manage everything from your own phone or computer. Screen Time works similarly on Apple devices — you set a passcode that only you know, then configure which apps are blocked and when.

Both systems have limits. A determined teenager can sometimes reset their device or use a different device to bypass restrictions. Neither system is foolproof, and both work best as part of a conversation about internet use rather than as a complete barrier. If you're blocking content for a child, explain why you're doing it and what you're concerned about.

Blocking ads and trackers

Ad blockers and tracker blockers serve a different purpose than content blockers — they prevent ads and data collection rather than blocking entire sites. uBlock Origin blocks both ads and many tracking scripts. Privacy Badger (made by the Electronic Frontier Foundation) blocks trackers specifically. Ghostery shows you which trackers are running on a page and lets you block them selectively.

These extensions work in your browser and don't require any configuration beyond installation. They reduce the number of requests your browser makes to ad networks and tracking companies, which speeds up page load times and reduces the data collected about your browsing habits. Unlike content blockers, they don't prevent you from visiting sites — they just prevent those sites from showing you ads or tracking your behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone unblock a site I blocked on their device?

Yes, if they have access to the device and know how to change settings. Browser extensions can be uninstalled. App blocks can be removed through Settings. Router blocks can be bypassed by changing the DNS or using a VPN. The stronger the block, the more technical knowledge it takes to bypass, but no block is unbreakable on a device someone else controls.

Will blocking a website slow down my internet?

No. Blocking prevents a site from loading, which actually saves bandwidth. Ad blockers and tracker blockers can speed up browsing because they prevent your browser from downloading ads and tracking code. Router-level and DNS-level blocking have no noticeable impact on speed.

What's the difference between blocking and uninstalling an app?

Uninstalling removes the app from your device entirely. Blocking (or disabling) keeps the app installed but prevents it from running. Blocking is useful if you want to turn something off temporarily without losing your data or settings. Uninstalling is permanent unless you reinstall it.

Can I block a website on just one person's account?

Yes, if you're using parental control software like Family Link or Screen Time. These let you set different restrictions for different accounts on the same device. Browser extensions and app blocks also apply only to the account or browser where you set them up, not to other users on the same device.

Does a VPN bypass website blocks?

Yes. A VPN routes your traffic through a different server, so router-level and DNS-level blocks don't work. Browser-level and app-level blocks still work because they're on the device itself, not on the network. If blocking is important to you, talk to the person about why, rather than relying only on technical barriers.