Children today use web browsers almost daily for educational or entertainment purposes. Safari by Apple, being one of them, is a prominent browser that is almost unbeatable when it comes to efficiency. However, there are a few measures you must take to ensure safe usage. This is because children with access to the internet are free to search for anything they like.
So, as a parent, learning a few methods to set Safari parental controls is a must. And, this write-up will help you set them up on an iPhone, iPad, and Mac so that your kid stays away from inappropriate content.
Quick Answer: To set up Safari parental controls, open Settings >> Screen Time >> Content & Privacy Restrictions >> Content Restrictions >> Web Content. Now, you can enter the URLs for any websites you need to block.
How to Set Parental Controls on Safari on iPhone/iPad?
If your kid is using an iPhone or iPad, you can alter a few Safari parental settings to avoid inappropriate content and online threats. Here’s how you can do that:
Limit Adult Websites
To ensure that your child never visits or comes across an adult website, you can set a restriction by following these steps:
Open Settings >> Screen Time >> Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Then, tap on Web Content.
Tap Limit Adult Websites from the three options.
Now, enter the URL of such website(s) in the space given, and they’ll get blocked.
If your child even tries to open a restricted website, they’ll end up receiving an error, as shown in the image below.
Allow Selected Websites Only
If you want your kid to visit only a few selected websites, follow these steps:
Open Settings >> Screen Time >> Content & Privacy Restrictions >> Web Content.
Now, tap on Allowed Websites.
Add the Title and URL of the website of your choice that only can be accessed on Safari.
Turn Off Safari
iPhone and iPad users have the option to turn off any app from using. Following these steps will make Safari stop:
Open Settings >> Screen Time >> Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Now, turn on the toggle for Content & Privacy Restrictions and tap on Allowed Apps.
Then, turn off the toggle for Safari to disable it.
With the help of these three options, you can ensure Safari safe search for your children.
How to Set Parental Controls on Safari on Mac?
Safari is also the default browser for Mac devices, and to set up parental controls for it, you can try these methods:
Limit Adult Websites
You can set a limit to inappropriate or explicit websites on a Mac by following these steps:
Tap on the Apple logo on your Mac.
Then, tap on System Settings.
Now, tap Screen Time from the list of options, then select Content & Privacy from the right.
Turn the toggle on for Content & Privacy and tap on Content Restrictions.
Now, select and tap on Limit Adult Websites from the list of options.
Now, tap on Customise.
Now, tap the “+” button on the Restricted section to limit the websites.
Enter the URL and tap Done to confirm.
Restrict Browsing to Allowed Websites Only
If you want your child to only open websites approved by you, you can add them to Allowed Websites. Follow the same steps mentioned in the previous section until Customise, then,
Tap on the “+” button under the Allowed section.
Then, similarly, add the URLs for the allowed websites and tap Done to confirm.
That’s it. With the help of these two options, you can either limit inappropriate websites or choose only a few to open on Safari.
5 Common Risks Associated With Using Safari
Safari used without any parental controls set, can be pretty unsafe for children. The internet is full of harmful and inappropriate websites and if your kid is using the browser, you must be aware of the following risks:
Access to adult content: With your children having unfiltered access to the internet, there’s a high possibility that they stumble upon adult websites. Even if they’re not searching for such websites, they often appear as ads.
Unnecessary purchases: When using Safari, children can make unauthorized purchases if they see any item of interest online. It also includes in-app purchases, premium packages, and other sales.
Exposure to social media: Social media is a part of the internet and if you’ve not set any limits, your child might create a social media account (not suitable for their age) and start using it without your knowledge.
Access to phishing scams: The internet is full of phishing scams, constantly searching to exploit unsuspecting victims. Innocent children can always fall victim to such scams if their activity is not monitored.
Too much usage: Your children can start using the internet for their specific purposes, but it can surely become an addiction. Too much usage can affect their social life and physical activities.
5 Effective Tips for Using Safari Safely
Whether your kid is using an iPhone or Mac, the parental control tips mentioned above can assure safety while browsing the internet on Safari. However, you can still consider a few more tips to let your kids use the browser safely.
Use an Ad Blocker – Your child may come across several unwanted pop-ups, banners, and ads when scrolling a website. Using an Ad Blocker can work effectively to get rid of them.
Set Passwords and Change Them Regularly – If you’re allowing your kid to use your iPhone or MacBook, ensure that the device is password-protected. This prevents your child from using it when you’re not around. Even if they get to know the password somehow, keep changing it.
Make Your Child Aware of Internet Safety – Educating your child about Internet safety is a must. Teaching them about staying safe on the internet and introducing all types of dangers will help the child steer clear of all types of potential threats.
Monitor Online Activity – Considering the types of dangers the internet imposes, it is better to monitor your child’s activity when using Safari or any browser. Keep an eye on what websites they’re visiting, what kind of content they’re engaging in, and how much time is spent on the internet.
Install Antimalware – It is better to install antimalware on your Apple device to detect viruses and point out spammy websites. Norton, Avast, and McAfee are some of the best options.
Wrapping Up
Setting parental controls on browsers like Safari is an effective way to keep your kids safe from potential online threats. With options like limiting adult websites, allowing specific websites, and turning off Safari, you’ll be able to set a bar for safety for your kids.
In addition, there are several third-party apps you can try to let your children have a safe browsing experience.
FAQs
Can you set up parental controls in Safari?
All iOS devices have built-in settings to limit adult websites and to browse a few selected sites only. These can work effectively as parental controls.
How do I restrict websites on Safari for kids?
Go to Settings > Screen Time >> Content & Privacy Restrictions >> Web Content >> Limit Adult Websites. Type the URL of any website you want to avoid and tap Done to confirm.
Can you put a time limit on Safari?
Yes, putting a time limit on Safari usage is possible. You need to open the Screen Time menu from Settings and set a limit to the selected app.
