Online pornography is a growing problem that’s impacting countless lives. Pornhub and other adult websites are becoming increasingly popular and accessible to young people, putting their safety and well-being at risk.
Exposure to this content can have negative effects on sexual development, attitudes, and behaviors, and even expose them to violent or illegal content.
This article provides several ways to block Pornhub and other adult websites, including using web browser extensions, setting up a DNS-level filter, and more.
What is Pornhub?
Pornhub is one of the world’s most popular and controversial adult websites, visited by millions daily. It offers millions of videos and images of explicit sexual content, ranging from mainstream to niche genres.
While some people enjoy watching or uploading pornographic content on Pornhub, others may find it offensive, harmful, or inappropriate.
One of the main concerns about Pornhub is its impact on children and teenagers. According to a 2016 UK Children’s Commissioner study, 60% of 11- to 16-year-olds had seen online pornography, and 28% had stumbled across it unintentionally.
Exposure to online pornography can have negative effects on young people’s sexual development, attitudes, and behaviors. It can also expose them to violent, abusive, or illegal content that may traumatize or influence them.
Therefore, parents and guardians must protect their children from accessing Pornhub and other adult websites.
How to Block Pornhub and Other Adult Websites
Here are some of the ways you can block Pornhub and other adult websites to protect your kids.
Using a Web Browser Extension
Web browser extensions are small programs that can be added to a web browser to provide additional features or functionality.
When it comes to blocking specific websites, several web browser extensions can be installed to block a range of websites, including Pornhub and other sites like it.
The most popular web browser extensions for blocking websites are BlockSite, LeechBlock, and StayFocusd.
All of these extensions are available for free and can be easily installed by following the instructions provided.
They all work in a similar way and offer a range of options to help users block the websites they want to avoid.
Once installed, the user can simply add the URL of the website they wish to block to the list of blocked websites, and the browser extension will prevent the user from accessing the website.
They can also add entire categories of websites to the block list, such as all adult websites or any other categories they wish to avoid.
Additionally, users can set up schedules to automatically block certain websites during certain times of the day, for example, during work hours or bedtime.
This is a great way to help ensure the user is not tempted to access the blocked websites during certain times of the day.
One of the limitations of this method is that it only works for laptop and desktop web browsers. You may need to download a separate app for mobile devices.
Using a DNS-Level Filter
When it comes to blocking sites like Pornhub, one effective measure is to set up a DNS-level filter. This is accomplished by configuring a DNS filter service provider. Many companies offer these services, with some being free and open source.
Most DNS-level filters will allow the user to create a blacklist of websites not allowed to be visited. The website URL that you enter will be blocked across all devices connected to the network.
To set up a DNS-level filter, research and select a service provider. Consider the cost, amount of websites that are able to be blocked, and the filter’s level of customization.
Since the DNS-level filter will affect all devices connected to the same network, it is important to note that the filter should be installed on the router.
Installing the filter on the router will allow it to be the same one used across all devices connected to the router.
Once the service provider is chosen, use their instructions to set up the filter. When setting up the filter, some services will allow you to create a custom list of websites you want to be blocked.
When creating the list, make sure to enter the full URL for the website you want to be blocked, such as “www.pornhub.com.” Add any other websites you wish to block, such as other adult websites. After the list is complete, save the list and activate the filter.
Once the filter is activated, all websites on the list will be blocked on the network. Therefore, any attempts made to access the websites listed will be denied. It is important to keep in mind that some users may be able to circumvent the filter by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
The DNS-level filter alone is not fool-proof, and it is recommended to implement other measures. However, setting up a DNS-level filter is an easy, cost-effective measure that is a great first step in blocking the Pornhub website and other adult websites.
Using Parental Control Software
Parental controls are a great way to block Pornhub and other adult websites. Like all other Internet safety strategies, these tools require an informed and invested guardian.
For example, the Adult Filter on one popular search engine blocks 93% of explicit content but also 6% of non-explicit content.
You may want to consider turning on the safety features on all devices your child uses to access the Internet, including PCs, tablets, and phones, so you can be sure your child will not be exposed to sites like Pornhub and other adult websites.
Parents should also become familiar with the website filtering and monitoring features available on different devices and software programs.
On some devices, such as the iPhone and iPad, built-in parental controls allow you to restrict access to certain websites and apps. You can also purchase third-party software that offers more comprehensive parental control features.
When setting up parental controls, it’s important to remember that the more restrictive your settings, the less likely your child will be exposed to unwanted content.
It’s also important to remember that parental control software can’t guarantee that a child won’t eventually be exposed to explicit content. Therefore, it’s important to talk to your child about pornography and its associated risks.
Block Pornhub and Other Adult Websites from the Router
Blocking specific websites from your router can help you prevent unwanted access to certain content or services on your network, like Pornhub or other adult sites.
Depending on the type and model of your router, the steps may vary slightly, but the general process is similar. Here is a brief overview of how to block specific websites from your router:
- Find out the IP address of your router. You can usually do this by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into your web browser’s address bar and pressing Enter.
If these don’t work, you can check the label on your router or use a tool like ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (Mac/Linux) to find out your router’s IP address. - Log in to your router’s web interface using your username and password. If you don’t know them, you can check the label on your router or consult the manual or website of your router’s manufacturer.
Some common default usernames and passwords are admin/admin, admin/password, or admin/blank. - Navigate to the section where you can block websites. Depending on your router, this may be under different names, such as Security, Firewall, Access Control, Parental Control, etc.
Look for an option that allows you to block specific websites by entering their domain names or keywords. - Enter the websites that you want to block in the appropriate fields. You can usually enter multiple websites separated by commas or spaces or add them one by one using a button like Add or Block.
Some routers may also allow you to block websites by category, such as adult, gambling, social media, etc. - Save your settings and apply them to your network. You may need to click a button like Save, Apply, OK, etc., to confirm your changes and make them effective on your network. Some routers may also require you to reboot them for the changes to take effect.
- Test if the websites are blocked by trying to access them from any device connected to your network. If you have done everything correctly, you should see an error message or a blank page when you try to visit the blocked websites.
Blocking websites from your router may not be 100% effective, as some users may be able to bypass it using methods like VPNs, proxies, Tor browser, etc.
Note that all of the mentioned ways to block websites like Pornhub are not 100% foolproof. To ensure maximum security and control over your network, you may also want to use combine the tools discussed above.
Talking to Your Children About Pornography
Starting the conversation early and maintaining a continuous, open dialogue with your children is important.
Depending on the age of your child, you should frame the conversation using age-appropriate language and examples that are relevant to them.
Start by speaking generally about sex and what is considered appropriate versus inappropriate content.
Once they understand these concepts, you can explain how pornography can be damaging and even addictive if not monitored properly.
Also, it is important to talk about the fact that porn perpetuates unrealistic ideals of sex and beauty and normalizes unhealthy power dynamics between men and women.
Talk about how porn does not depict real-life relationships or intimacy but instead focuses on intense stimulation, which often comes with a host of emotional baggage in reality.
You should also make sure to emphasize the importance of healthy communication between partners within a committed relationship.
Encourage your children to think critically about what messages are being relayed in media, including porn.
Additionally, it may be beneficial to inform them about the potential risks associated with watching porn, such as cyber security threats (e.g., malware) or legal issues (e.g., downloading copyrighted material).
Finally, remind your children that they can come to you if they have any questions or concerns related to pornography or other topics they find confusing or uncomfortable.
The more comfortable they feel speaking openly with you, the less likely they will be to seek information from potentially damaging sources like pornography videos or websites.
Takeaways
Online pornography is a growing problem that can have harmful effects on young people’s safety and well-being.
It is crucial for parents and guardians to take measures to protect their children from accessing adult websites like Pornhub.
This article has discussed several methods for blocking adult websites, including using web browser extensions, setting up a DNS-level filter, and utilizing parental control software.
While no single method is foolproof, implementing multiple measures can increase the likelihood of successfully blocking unwanted content.
By taking these steps, parents can help ensure their children are safe and protected while using the internet.
