How to Block a Website on iPhone: Taking Control of Your Digital Boundaries

Parents wrestling with their kids' screen time, professionals battling social media distractions, or anyone trying to create healthier digital habits—we've all been there. That moment when you realize certain websites have become digital quicksand, pulling you in when you should be doing literally anything else. Your iPhone, that sleek rectangle of infinite possibilities, sometimes needs boundaries. And unlike the old days when blocking websites meant fiddling with router settings or downloading sketchy third-party apps, Apple has actually made this surprisingly straightforward—once you know where to look.

The Built-in Arsenal: Screen Time's Hidden Powers

Let me tell you something that took me embarrassingly long to discover: Apple's Screen Time feature isn't just for tracking how many hours you've lost to TikTok. It's actually a robust website blocking tool hiding in plain sight. I remember when I first stumbled upon this feature while trying to help my nephew focus on his homework instead of gaming sites. The whole process felt like finding a secret passage in a familiar room.

To access Screen Time, you'll navigate to Settings, then tap on Screen Time. If you haven't set it up yet, you'll need to tap "Turn On Screen Time" and follow the prompts. Here's where it gets interesting—you'll want to tap on "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and toggle it on. This is your gateway to website blocking nirvana.

Once you're in, tap on "Content Restrictions," then "Web Content." You'll see several options here, but the one that gives you the most control is "Limit Adult Websites." Don't let the name fool you—this isn't just about blocking inappropriate content. This option opens up two crucial sections: "Always Allow" and "Never Allow."

Under "Never Allow," you can add any website you want to block. Just tap "Add Website" and type in the URL. The beauty of this system is its flexibility. You can block entire domains (like facebook.com) or specific pages. The blocking works across Safari and, here's the kicker, it extends to other browsers and apps that use web views. So no, your clever teenager can't just download Chrome to bypass your restrictions.

The Nuclear Option: Blocking Everything Except...

Sometimes you need to go scorched earth. Maybe you're preparing for exams, or perhaps you're helping someone with severe internet addiction. There's an option called "Allowed Websites Only" that turns your iPhone into a digital fortress where only pre-approved sites can penetrate.

This feature transforms your device into something resembling those old corporate computers from the early 2000s—remember those? Where IT had locked down everything except the company intranet and maybe CNN? It's extreme, but sometimes extreme situations call for extreme measures. I once used this during a writing deadline when I needed access to research sites but absolutely could not afford to fall down a Reddit rabbit hole.

The process is similar to before, but instead of selecting "Limit Adult Websites," you choose "Allowed Websites Only." Apple provides a starter list of kid-friendly sites, but you can customize this entirely. Delete what you don't need, add what you do. It's like creating your own curated internet.

The Family Dynamic: Managing Multiple Devices

Now, if you're a parent trying to manage your kids' devices, things get both more complex and more powerful. Family Sharing with Screen Time lets you control website access on your children's devices remotely from your own iPhone. It's like having a digital parenting superpower, though with great power comes great eye-rolling from your teenagers.

Setting this up requires adding your child to Family Sharing (Settings > Your Name > Family Sharing) and ensuring their device is set up as a child's device. Once configured, you can manage their website restrictions from your own Screen Time settings. The changes sync almost instantly—I've tested this while sitting across from my niece, and watching her confusion when YouTube suddenly became inaccessible was... well, I felt a bit like a digital wizard.

Beyond Safari: The App Ecosystem Challenge

Here's where things get tricky, and where Apple's system shows some limitations. While Screen Time's web restrictions work wonderfully for Safari and apps that use Safari's engine, dedicated apps are a different beast entirely. You can't use Screen Time to block specific content within the Facebook app or prevent access to certain YouTube channels within the YouTube app.

For these situations, you need a two-pronged approach. First, you can block the apps themselves using Screen Time's "App Limits" feature. But if you need more granular control—like allowing educational YouTube videos while blocking entertainment channels—you'll need to rely on the restrictions within those apps themselves. YouTube, for instance, has Restricted Mode. Facebook has various parental controls. It's a patchwork solution, admittedly, but it's what we've got.

The DNS Dance: A More Technical Approach

For those comfortable with slightly more technical solutions, changing your iPhone's DNS settings can provide another layer of website blocking. Services like OpenDNS or CleanBrowsing offer DNS servers that automatically filter out certain categories of websites.

To implement this, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the "i" next to your connected network, then scroll down to "Configure DNS." Change it from "Automatic" to "Manual" and input the DNS server addresses from your chosen service. This method works at a network level, meaning it affects all browsers and apps, but it's less flexible than Screen Time for blocking specific sites.

I've experimented with this approach, and while it's effective for broad category blocking, it lacks the surgical precision of Screen Time's URL-specific blocks. Plus, it only works on the Wi-Fi network you've configured—switch to cellular data or a different Wi-Fi network, and you're back to the unfiltered internet.

The Shortcut Solution: Automation for the Win

Here's something most articles won't tell you: iOS Shortcuts can create some clever website blocking workarounds. While you can't use Shortcuts to directly block websites, you can create automations that make accessing certain sites more difficult or that redirect you to more productive alternatives.

For example, I've created a shortcut that, when I try to open Twitter during work hours, instead opens my task management app. It's not a true block, but it's a helpful nudge. These psychological speed bumps can be surprisingly effective for those of us who open time-wasting sites out of muscle memory rather than genuine desire.

The Reality Check: Limitations and Workarounds

Let's be honest about something: determined users, especially tech-savvy teenagers, will find ways around these restrictions. VPNs can bypass DNS filtering. Clearing website data can sometimes reset restrictions. Using cellular data instead of Wi-Fi can circumvent network-level blocks.

But here's my take after years of dealing with this: perfect blocking isn't the goal. The goal is to create friction. Most of our problematic internet use isn't driven by deep compulsion—it's habit. By adding obstacles, even imperfect ones, we give our better judgment a chance to kick in. It's like keeping junk food on a high shelf; you can still reach it, but the extra effort makes you think twice.

The Philosophical Angle: Why We Block

There's something profound about actively choosing to limit our own access to information. In an age where we celebrate unlimited connectivity, deliberately disconnecting from certain sites feels almost rebellious. But it's really about intentionality. Every website we block is a declaration of our values, a statement about how we want to spend our finite time.

I've noticed that the act of blocking a website often reduces its psychological hold. Once Facebook is blocked on my phone, I stop reflexively checking it. The mere act of having to unblock it to check it makes me pause and consider: do I really need to look at this right now?

Practical Tips from the Trenches

After years of helping friends, family, and myself manage website blocking, here are some hard-won insights:

Start small. Don't block twenty sites on day one. Pick your biggest time-waster and block just that. See how it feels. Adjust as needed.

Use specific URLs when possible. Blocking "reddit.com" might be too broad if you genuinely need access to certain educational subreddits. Block "reddit.com/r/all" instead.

Set up a passcode for Screen Time that's different from your device passcode. Better yet, have someone else set it and write it down somewhere inconvenient. The extra friction matters.

Review your blocks regularly. What made sense during exam season might be unnecessarily restrictive during summer break. Digital wellness isn't about permanent restriction—it's about conscious choice.

Remember that blocking websites on your iPhone doesn't address the root cause of problematic internet use. It's a tool, not a cure. Use it as part of a broader strategy that might include time management techniques, mindfulness practices, or even professional help if needed.

The Future of Digital Boundaries

As I write this, Apple continues to evolve these features. Each iOS update seems to bring subtle improvements to Screen Time and content restrictions. We're moving toward a future where our devices will likely offer even more sophisticated ways to manage our digital consumption.

But the fundamental challenge remains human, not technical. No amount of website blocking can replace the need for self-awareness and intentional living. These tools are scaffolding, helping us build better habits until those habits can stand on their own.

Whether you're blocking websites to boost productivity, protect your children, or simply reclaim some mental space in our hyperconnected world, remember that you're not fighting against technology—you're using it to serve your goals rather than subvert them. And in that sense, learning to block websites on your iPhone isn't just a technical skill. It's an act of digital self-determination.

Authoritative Sources:

Apple Inc. iPhone User Guide for iOS 15. Apple Inc., 2021. support.apple.com/guide/iphone/welcome/ios

Twenge, Jean M. iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. Atria Books, 2017.

Newport, Cal. Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. Portfolio, 2019.

"Screen Time - Use Parental Controls on Your Child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch." Apple Support, Apple Inc., 2023. support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982

"DNS Filtering: What It Is and How It Works." OpenDNS, Cisco Systems, 2023. opendns.com/home-internet-security/dns-filtering