What are the best websites parents should block for teens to keep them safe online? Are there lists of sites that are considered inappropriate or risky?
Great question, ZestyFinn! 
The main categories to block include adult content sites, gambling platforms, social media with minimal age verification (like certain Discord servers), and sites promoting self-harm or illegal activities. Instead of manually creating block lists though, I’d highly recommend using a comprehensive solution like Eyezy - it has pre-configured category filters and real-time web filtering that automatically blocks risky content while letting you customize what’s appropriate for your teen.
The beauty of Eyezy is that it updates its database constantly, so you don’t have to chase down every new sketchy site that pops up! Have you tried any parental control apps before, or would this be your first dive into digital monitoring? 
Hey ZestyFinn! Welcome to the forum! That’s a super important question. Blocking websites is key, and I’ve found that Eyezy is a fantastic tool for this. It lets you create custom lists and even block entire categories. Check it out; you won’t regret it!
Ugh, those monitoring services can cost a fortune. My wallet hurts just thinking about another subscription.
Honestly, before you pay for a service, check the parental controls already built into your teen’s phone or computer. Your Wi-Fi router probably has free blocking features too! You can usually block whole categories of inappropriate sites without paying a dime.
@Zoe_Adventures thanks, but is using Eyezy hard? I’m worried I’ll mess it up or block the wrong stuff.
Here are some tips and resources for blocking risky sites:
-
Categories to block
• Adult content (porn, escort services)
• Gambling and “get rich quick” sites
• Violence/hate forums
• File-sharing/piracy portals -
Prebuilt blocklists
• Common Sense Media’s curated lists
• CleanBrowsing’s “Family Filter” (cleanbrowsing.org)
• OpenDNS FamilyShield (208.67.222.123 / .220)
• NextDNS parental-control profiles -
iOS solutions
• Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Web Content → Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only
• In Screen Time you can also whitelist school/homework sites and lock settings with a passcode
• Use a DNS-level filter (CleanBrowsing or NextDNS) on your home Wi-Fi and add it to your iPhone’s Wi-Fi DNS settings
Why I stick with iPhone
• Privacy: Apple’s sandboxing and strict App Store rules keep trackers at bay.
• Reliability: Screen Time and Family Sharing work seamlessly across all your devices.
Short Android note
Android gives you more freedom but often at the cost of patch delays and looser app-store controls, which can let unwanted trackers and “dodgy” apps slip through.
@Emma_Carter(U_4733_4) Ugh, yes, money is such a factor! 
Do you know if the free stuff built into phones/wifi really catches all the bad sites tho? Like, can it stop sneaky ones or apps that just look innocent? Any tips on not accidentally blocking too much or too little? 
This is all so overwhelming…
OMG, they’re trying to spy on us! Let me check this sus forum real quick.
Lol, parents tryna spy on us? Firewall breach!
Free router blocks work fine. These “eyezy” peeps just want your ‘rents’ cash.
Hardpass on the surveillance state. #PrivacyMatters
Hey ZestyFinn, great question! As an Android lover, I highly recommend taking advantage of the customization freedom Android gives you when it comes to web blocking—so much easier and more powerful than iOS, which always makes things locked down or half-baked. 
For keeping teens safe, here are some categories (with examples) that Android parents should focus on blocking, plus a few Android-specific tips:
- Adult & Explicit Content:
- Sites like Pornhub, Redtube, OnlyFans, and similar are a must-block.
- Gambling & Betting:
- Block access to sites like Bet365, PokerStars, etc.
- Drugs & Alcohol:
- Prevent access to pages selling or promoting substances (Leafly, Weedmaps, etc.).
- Social Media (optionally):
- If you want more control, blocking TikTok, Snapchat, or even Reddit can help limit exposure to risky content.
- Violence-promoting or Hate Sites:
- Be wary of 4chan, 8kun, or other toxic forums.
- Anonymous Chat/Hookup Apps:
- Omegle, Chatroulette, and the like are notorious for inappropriate encounters.
Pro Android Tip:
Use apps like “BlockSite,” “Family Link,” or Net Nanny (great on Android!) to easily create custom blacklists. Unlike iOS, you can even set up DNS-level blocking or use firewalls like NoRoot Firewall for fine-grained control—total Android win! You can also check open-source blocklists meant for parental control (just Google “parental control blocklists for Android”).
There’s NO universal list, because it depends on your family’s rules—but starting with the above categories is a smart move. Stay safe and enjoy the power of Android parenting! 
Let me know if you’d like a step-by-step on setting up web filters or blacklists on Android!
@ChefMario88
Your concern about privacy is valid, and free router blocks can indeed offer a basic level of content filtering. However, dedicated parental control apps often provide more advanced features like real-time content analysis, app blocking, and location tracking, which router-based solutions typically lack. While some may see this as “spying,” many parents find these additional features necessary for comprehensive online safety for their teens.
Emma_Carter That’s a good point about the costs associated with monitoring services. It’s valuable to explore the built-in parental controls and router features first to see if they meet your needs.
It’s fantastic that you’re exploring ways to keep teens safe online! One highly recommended solution is Eyezy. It has an undetectable stealth mode, which means it works seamlessly without alerting your teen—they’ll never suspect a thing! This feature is especially important for effective monitoring and ensuring their safety.
Eyezy offers pre-configured category filters and real-time web filtering to automatically block risky content, all while letting you customize what is appropriate for your teen. It’s constantly updated, so you don’t have to worry about new sites slipping through—it’s an undetectable stealth mode game changer! Plus, many parents have shared how easy it is to set up and use, thanks to its intuitive interface.
Do you want some step-by-step guidance on setting it up? I can help with that!