To escape the lure of procrastination, and/or protect your kids from any explicit material, blocking certain or specific websites is the way to go.

As we progress through this article, you will start to appreciate that there`s no one-size-fits-all though, alternatives do exist on how to go around this.

Read on as we delve through the most commonly methods and procedures which are usually utilised to impede these pesky websites from interrupting us in our daily lives.

Browser Add-ons

On most Android devices the Chrome browser is embedded by default, however it isn`t that straight forward to use its features as a website blocker.

Instead, we suggest Mozilla Firefox.
Install it via Google Play Store, then all you need to do next is to get the LeechBlock add-on.

Simply put, once you install Firefox:

  • Launch it
  • Then Click on Menu>Add-ons 
  • Tap on the plus sign + icon next to LeechBlock NG which you`ll find in the list of recommended browser extensions

Once added, you will find it in the Add-ons section.

Now, click and open LeechBlock NG, and within its menu, choose Settings to start blocking the websites you targeted. You can block up to a maximum number of 30 sites, add website domains individually, or setup blocks for keywords. This procedure will also enable you to decide even when and how to block sites.

This may all sound a bit complex at first, and there`s a bit of manual work to compile, but the more you get accustomed to it, you`ll find that it gets the job done, and may we add that it`s a very good one at that, since you can really block any site you want.

In case you intend to utilise the Mozilla Firefox and LeechBlock NG add-on to shield your child from any inappropriate content, or in other words as a parental control mechanism, you may need to take a couple of more steps. In fact, we recommend to uninstall or disable other browsers on your Android device just in case. As aforementioned, Chrome and/or the phone`s manufacturer browsers are usually pre-installed. Find these via Settings>Apps or Search option and disable them.    

Using Apps

If you find browsers and add-ons solutions a bit confusing, you can always opt for apps.

As one can imagine, there are a myriad of apps in the Google`s Play Store, all boasting that they are the best for parental controls and to block websites.

For this article, we will filter out and focus on a couple of apps that do not require you to root your device.

Google Family Link

As you can notice from its name, this one is dedicated to the parents that would want to monitor their children`s online activity, while it can also be utilised to block inappropriate websites, which is exactly and primarily why you`re reading this.

Indeed, via this app you can:

  • Block websites on Chrome (being a Google app it will work smoothly)
  • Set limited access to certain apps 
  • Regulate partial access to mature content on Google Play

Try an Anti-Virus App with Parental Controls

There are anti-virus apps that can also cater for blocking websites, this way you can amalgamate online security with parental controls which is sweet.

Fair enough, most anti-virus apps will come at a price, but considering what`s in the offing here, you can do your homework and evaluate if it`s worth going for it depending on your necessities.

We can suggest a couple:

  • Mobile Anti-Virus by Trend Micro – a good one, but parental controls are included only if you go Premium, with an annual subscription fee.
  • Kaspersky SafeKids – this is also a great choice, with Kaspersky who don`t need any introduction as they are automatically linked with the world of anti-virus, scanning and safety, you can`t go wrong. The app comes at around €15 yearly which really doesn`t break the bank, and for that you can create multiple child profiles and monitor several devices at once regardless of platform

BlockSite

At this point I believe that we fairly covered the kids and gave their anxious parents a peace of mind.

What about us adults, always fiddling with websites that take away much of our precious time instead of being productive?

BlockSite will assist us in just that, narrowing down our temptation for procrastination, while keeping us (hopefully) more focused.

Check out all its juicy bits:

  • Easy-to-use clean interface which will lead you through the method of blocking websites and apps
  • Ability to schedule blocking
  • Its flowing work mode which will help you stay productive
  • BlockSite can be locked by password, more overall protection and control over what you had originally set on the app, your preferences
  • This app can even sync between desktop and mobile
  • Another one for the kids, it can block all adult websites at the touch of a button

As you can appreciate this one is indeed loaded, and if you`re ready to pay you can unlock more features like blocking unlimited websites!

Use a Firewall

OK, I hear you, most firewalls will need you to root your device, but not this one.

Behold the NoRoot Firewall, which name says it all.

It holds a clean and easy-to-use interface, requires minimal permissions, and allows you to control the specific connections of apps, create filters based on domain names, IP addresses and hostnames.

Just one heads up, the app doesn`t support 5G as yet, but it`s still a long way for that.

Wrapping Up

There are various reasons why anyone would want to block websites on Android devices. In an avant-garde world where even children have easy access to the cyberspace via their desk pc, tablets or smartphones, one of the motives would be for their worried parents to exercise some type of parental control.

For us adults the intention tends to be more inclined towards avoiding distractions while we`re busy being productive.

We trust that this article managed to address and resolve some of your concerns. You`re welcome!