ScreenSafe Kids

How to Block Websites on All Devices (Home Network Method)

Summary

This guide shows how to block websites across all devices in your home using your router or DNS filtering. This applies to iPhones, Android devices, computers, smart TVs, and game consoles — all at once.

What this blocks

  • Social media websites
  • Video streaming platforms
  • Harmful or distracting sites
  • Access from all devices connected to your home Wi-Fi

What you need

  • Access to your home router
  • The router admin password
  • A computer or phone connected to your Wi-Fi

How this works (simple explanation)

Instead of blocking sites on each device, you block them at the network level.

👉 Any device connected to your Wi-Fi will follow these rules automatically.

Step 1 — Log into your router

  1. Open a browser
  2. Enter your router address (usually one of these):
    • 192.168.1.1
    • 192.168.0.1
  3. Log in using your router username and password

If you don’t know it:

  • Check the sticker on the router
  • Or search your router model online

Step 2 — Find DNS settings

Look for a section called:

  • Internet settings
  • WAN settings
  • DNS settings

Every router is slightly different, but you are looking for where DNS servers are defined.

Step 3 — Set a filtering DNS provider

Replace your DNS servers with one of these:

Option A — OpenDNS (recommended)

  • 208.67.222.123
  • 208.67.220.123

Option B — CleanBrowsing (family filter)

  • 185.228.168.168
  • 185.228.169.168

These services block categories like social media and streaming.

Step 4 — Create a custom blacklist (OpenDNS)

For more control:

  1. Go to OpenDNS Home
  2. Create a free account
  3. Add your home network
  4. Open Settings → Web Content Filtering
  5. Add sites to block, such as:
    • youtube.com
    • tiktok.com
    • instagram.com

Now your router will block these sites for all devices.

Step 5 — Apply and restart

  • Save your router settings
  • Restart the router if needed

Step 6 — Test the setup

  1. Connect a device to Wi-Fi
  2. Try opening a blocked site

It should fail to load or show a block page.

Step 7 — Prevent bypassing

This is important.

Children may try to bypass restrictions.

To reduce this:

  • Disable changing Wi-Fi settings on devices
  • Block unknown DNS settings on devices if possible
  • Do not share router login credentials
  • Place the router in a secure location

Optional — Combine with device controls

For best results:

  • Use Screen Time (iPhone)
  • Use Family Link (Android)
  • Combine with router blocking

👉 This creates multiple layers of protection.

Common issues

Blocking doesn’t work on mobile data

  • This method only applies to Wi-Fi
  • Mobile data needs separate controls

Some apps still work

  • Apps may use their own servers instead of websites
  • Device-level blocking may still be needed

DNS changes don’t apply

  • Restart the router
  • Restart devices
  • Check that DNS settings saved correctly

Final note

Blocking at the network level is one of the most effective ways to manage internet access in a home. Instead of trying to control every device individually, you set one rule that applies everywhere.

It won’t solve everything on its own, but combined with device-level controls, it creates a much more reliable and manageable system for keeping harmful and distracting content out of your child’s daily life.