Table of Contents

How to Block Websites in Safari on Mac: The Definitive Guide

So, you want to reclaim your focus, shield your kids from inappropriate content, or just generally curate your online experience? Blocking websites in Safari on your Mac is entirely achievable, and I’m here to guide you through the process. The most effective method involves using the Screen Time feature built directly into macOS. This allows you to restrict access to specific websites across your entire system. You can also directly edit your computer’s Hosts file for a more technical, system-level block, though be warned: this method can have broader impacts if not handled carefully.

Blocking Websites with Screen Time: The User-Friendly Approach

Screen Time offers a straightforward and user-friendly way to manage website access. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

Access System Preferences: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences.
Navigate to Screen Time: In System Preferences, locate and click on the Screen Time icon.
Turn On Screen Time (If Necessary): If Screen Time isn’t already enabled, click the Turn On button in the upper-right corner.
Select Content & Privacy: In the Screen Time window, click on Content & Privacy in the left sidebar.
Enable Content Restrictions: Make sure the Content Restrictions option is enabled. You might need to click the lock icon at the bottom-left to unlock the settings and authenticate with your administrator password.
Choose Web Content: Select the Web tab within the Content Restrictions section.
Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only: You have two primary choices here:
- Limit Adult Websites: This automatically blocks many known adult websites and allows you to customize the block list by adding specific websites under the Customize button.
- Allowed Websites Only: This is a stricter option. It blocks all websites except those you explicitly add to the Allowed list. This is ideal for creating a highly curated browsing experience, especially for children.
Add Websites to Block (or Allow): If you chose “Limit Adult Websites,” click Customize. In the “Restricted” section, click the + button and enter the URL of the website you want to block. If you chose “Allowed Websites Only,” use the + button in the “Allowed” section to enter the URLs of the websites you want to allow.
Save Your Changes: The changes are saved automatically. Close the System Preferences window.

That’s it! The websites you’ve added to the restricted list should now be blocked in Safari (and potentially other browsers as well, depending on your system configuration). Screen Time also allows you to set a Screen Time passcode to prevent unauthorized changes to these settings, further bolstering your restrictions.

Blocking Websites by Editing the Hosts File: The Advanced Method

This method involves directly modifying a system file. Proceed with caution! Incorrectly editing the Hosts file can cause network problems. I recommend only using this method if you’re comfortable with command-line interfaces and system administration.

Open Terminal: You can find Terminal in the Utilities folder within your Applications folder.
Edit the Hosts File: Type the following command into Terminal and press Enter:
```
sudo nano /etc/hosts 
```
You’ll be prompted for your administrator password. Enter it and press Enter. Note that the cursor will not visibly move as you type your password for security reasons.
Add Blocking Rules: At the bottom of the file, add the following lines for each website you want to block:
```
127.0.0.1  example.com 127.0.0.1  www.example.com 
```
Replace example.com with the actual domain name you want to block. The 127.0.0.1 address is your computer’s loopback address, effectively redirecting the website request to your own machine, which won’t serve the website. Including both the bare domain and the www. subdomain ensures comprehensive blocking.
Save the Changes: Press Control + O to save the file. When prompted for a filename, just press Enter to accept the default.
Exit Nano: Press Control + X to exit the nano text editor.
Flush the DNS Cache: To ensure the changes take effect immediately, you need to flush your Mac’s DNS cache. In Terminal, type the following command and press Enter:
```
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder 
```
You’ll likely need to enter your administrator password again.

The websites you’ve added to the Hosts file should now be blocked. To unblock a website, simply remove the corresponding lines from the Hosts file and repeat the DNS cache flushing step.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does blocking a website in Safari also block it in other browsers like Chrome or Firefox?

It depends on the method used. Screen Time generally restricts access across all applications on your Mac, including other browsers. However, editing the Hosts file is a system-level change that will affect all browsers and even other applications that attempt to access those websites.

2. Can someone bypass the website blocks I’ve set up?

With Screen Time, if you set a Screen Time passcode, it’s difficult for someone to bypass the restrictions without knowing the passcode. However, a technically savvy user could potentially bypass the Hosts file method by using a proxy server or VPN. Regular monitoring is always a good practice.

3. How can I block websites on my child’s Mac without them knowing?

Screen Time is your best bet. Enable Screen Time on their user account, set a strong passcode that they don’t know, and then configure the web content restrictions as desired. Be mindful of building trust with your child, as a completely secretive approach might backfire.

4. What’s the difference between “Limit Adult Websites” and “Allowed Websites Only” in Screen Time?

“Limit Adult Websites” uses a pre-defined list (which you can customize) to block known adult content. “Allowed Websites Only” blocks everything except the websites you specifically whitelist. “Allowed Websites Only” provides a much tighter, curated experience.

5. I blocked a website, but it’s still loading. What could be the problem?

First, double-check that you entered the URL correctly in Screen Time or the Hosts file. Also, ensure you flushed the DNS cache after editing the Hosts file. Sometimes, restarting your Mac can also help. Finally, if you’re using a VPN, try disabling it temporarily, as it could be bypassing your restrictions.

6. Can I block specific pages within a website instead of the entire website?

Unfortunately, neither Screen Time nor the Hosts file method allows you to block specific pages within a website. You can only block entire domains or subdomains. For more granular control, you might need to consider browser extensions (though these are often easily bypassed).

7. How do I unblock a website that I previously blocked?

In Screen Time, go back to the Content & Privacy settings, select the Web tab, and remove the website from the “Restricted” list (or add it to the “Allowed” list if you’re using “Allowed Websites Only”). If you used the Hosts file method, remove the corresponding lines from the file and flush the DNS cache.

8. Will these methods block websites on my iPhone or iPad as well?

Screen Time settings can be shared across devices using iCloud. Make sure you are signed into the same Apple ID on both your Mac and your iOS/iPadOS devices, and enable “Share Across Devices” within the Screen Time settings on your Mac.

9. Can I schedule website blocking to only be active during certain times?

Yes, Screen Time allows you to set schedules. Within Screen Time, you can set “Downtime” and “App Limits” which can be customized to block access to websites (treating them as applications) during specific hours.

10. Is there a way to block websites based on keywords?

Neither Screen Time nor the Hosts file natively support keyword-based blocking. You would need to explore third-party browser extensions or parental control software for this feature. Be aware of privacy implications when using third-party tools.

11. I’m using a custom DNS server. Will the Hosts file method still work?

Yes, the Hosts file method will override your custom DNS server settings. The Hosts file is consulted before your Mac attempts to resolve the domain name using DNS.

12. Is it possible to block websites using a router instead of my Mac?

Yes, many routers offer parental control features that allow you to block websites for all devices connected to your network. This can be a more centralized and efficient solution, especially if you want to block websites for multiple users and devices in your home. Consult your router’s manual for instructions on how to configure website blocking.