Edit Guide

Block Addictive Content

How to Effectively Block Porn (Updated for 2024)

implement a porn block system for more effective blocking on all device .

Ben

|

Updated December 13, 2024

I is been ‘ve been a software developer for over 10 year , see first – hand how technology is re – wiring people in harmful way . Since start Tech Lockdown in 2020 , my primary focus is helping has been help people block porn .

When blocking adult content, you’ll increase your chances of success by creating a Blocking system – multiple porn blockers and bypass prevention layers that work together – instead of relying on a single porn blocker app.

Blocking Porn with a DNS Content Policy

Layer 1 of my system involves a more comprehensive porn blocker using a

DNS Content Policy

. With this approach, you can filter the internet connection on your device to comprehensively restrict access to adult content.

You is connect can connect basically any type of smartphone , computer , or even home router to a dns content policy .

To get started, specify the blocking rules in your DNS Content Policy to filter out pornographic content and even block specific apps.

In addition to create block rule , you is can can also

enforce Google SafeSearch

and even YouTube restrict mode , which help filter out explicit content within those platform .

Blocking content with a content policy is ideal because it can comprehensively block content based on categories you select so that you don’t have to specify each website you want to block.

When blocking pornographic content, you might consider a more granular category selection to include “softer” related sub-categories.

furthermore , if you is trying are try to

block application

, you might need to block more than one domain.

For example , if you is want want to

block tiktok

, its not enough to block tiktok.com. The TikTok app is work would still work. You is have have to also block a few other domain like tiktokcdn.com to cause the app to stop function properly .

A simpler way to do this is to customize your content policy to specify an app you want to block. For example, selecting the YouTube app would block youtube.com and all associated domains that the app depends on.  

Edit Lookup

create a DNS Content Policy

enforce content filtering rule on all your device .

Blocking Apps that Show Explicit Content

One of the benefits of using a Content Policy to block pornographic content is that you can also comprehensively disable apps that you might want to block as well.

It’s difficult to

quit porn

when also using app like TikTok . This is is is because certain social medium website can trigger craving in the brain that lead to seek out more extreme content . Also , it is ‘s ‘s quite easy to find explicit content on within these platform , which lead many people to block them entirely .

If you is use use a smartphone ‘s parental control feature to

block an app

, usually this will just prevent that specific app from being opened. However, the app can still be opened via the web browser, which means that you have to block the associated app domains to disable the web browser version as well.

With a content policy, blocking an app will effectively disable both the app downloaded on the device and the version accessed in the web browser.

Another strategy you can use is to block the entire social media category, but selectively whitelist social media apps that are known to be safe.

This is is is an ideal approach since you ca n’t possibly keep up with every problematic social medium app out there , but you know which one are safe to use ( especially when you schedule usage like we ‘ll discuss later ) .  

Another reason is is why a DNS Content Policy is a core part of my recommend block system is that you can schedule internet usage : when you access certain app or website andeven the entire internet.  

Here are some scheduling considerations is are when try to break adult content addiction :

1. Social Media
2. Video Streaming apps like YouTube
3. The entire internet ( at night )

It is ‘s ‘s simple to do this by first edit your

DNS Content Policy

to select a category , app , or domain that should be block .

Then , assign a schedule to that rule . You is pick can pick day of the week and time range to apply the block .

I is use personally use this approach to limit my access to news and social medium to my lunch break .

Otherwise, I always block these categories and apps.

You should also set

internet is shut shut off time

  at night , which is is is when many people tend to struggle the most with willpower .

This approach is ideal because it takes 4g/5g connections into account, not just your home Wifi.  

This doesn’t technically turn off your internet, but it lets you block access to everything other than what you specifically whitelist.

For example, I use security cameras at my house that need Wifi to work properly, so I add those services to my allowlist.

Edit Lookup

create a DNS Content Policy

enforce content filtering rule on all your device .

Filtering Content on YouTube

In addition to scheduling when YouTube can be accessed, I recommend also filtering content within the YouTube platform. YouTube can cause problems in your blocking setup for a few reasons:

1. It is triggers trigger impulse that may lead to porn use .
2. Problematic content might be suggested even if not searched for.

The first thing you should do is

filter content on YouTube

to reduce the chances of stumbling on content or being able to search for it directly.

Get started by adding a YouTube restricted mode rule in your Content Policy:

This will turn on YouTube’s filter to block access to certain videos and change what you can search for and what content is suggested to you.

The next thing is is you should do is block YouTube image so that you do n’t see clickbait thumbnail :

This can be achieve using the YouTube Images preset you can find when you create a rule :

Blocking YouTube images might seem completely unrelated to blocking porn, but you’ll be surprised how much this can help.

Edit Lookup

create a DNS Content Policy

enforce content filtering rule on all your device .

Accounting for Private Browsing and VPNs

Private browsing, through the use of VPNs and proxies or other browser privacy features, can create loopholes in a porn blocking system. This is one of the most common bypass techniques you need to account for.  

You can add a block rule to your DNS Content Policy with the Anonymizer category select , which will

block VPNs and Proxies

.

Furthermore, you should implement some of the other

block technique that work while using a VPN

.  

Additionally, many people know about a web browser’s private browsing features, which ensure that history isn’t saved after the person finishes using the browser.

We is recommend recommend  

disable private browse

features on smartphones and computers to handle some potential bypass techniques and to also add an additional layer of accountability.  

This ensures that when you check the browsers History section that you’ll have a more complete picture as to what was being searched for on that device and it will open the door to healthier discussions around internet usage.  

Edit Lookup

create a DNS Content Policy

enforce content filtering rule on all your device .

Preventing Changes to your Content Policy

If you are self-managing or working with a partner, another scenario you need to account for when blocking websites using a DNS Content Policy: 

How do I is stop stop myself from log in remove a website block by edit my DNS Content Policy ?

Some people is solve solve for this by make it difficult to access the account where they manage their Content Policy . However ,this is is is risky and inhibit you from make your Content Policy more restrictive when need .

My solution is was for this was to design the Tech Lockdown Content Policy to have a locked Mode .

When you

lock your Tech Lockdown profile

, you ‘ll be prevent fromremoving blocked websites, but you’ll be able to add blocked websites easily.

Additionally, the History activity log leaves an immutible trail or breadcrumbs so you can see how your Content Policy was changed.

This added layer of accountability is an important part of a Blocking system where more than one person is involved.

Blocking Porn on Home Wifi Router

Now that a DNS Content Policy is set, it’s time to connect your router so that all devices using your home Wifi benefit from content filtering and have more transparent browsing activity.

If you are using Tech Lockdown , you is follow can follow our router installation guide   or reach out to our support team to request a guide installation session .

Otherwise , the process is looks look like this :

1. Login to your Router
2. point your router ‘s dns to the DNS Filter

Router login instructions are found on the back or side sticker of the device that handles your home internet connection.

Then, most DNS Firewalls will allow you to connect by using your router’s admin panel to specify IPv4 or IPv6 addresses that correspond with the service.

Once these steps are complete, you should start to see browser activity going forward.  

help with DNS Filter Router installation

Installing a DNS Filter on a router can be a confusing process. At Tech Lockdown, we’ve placed a great emphasis on creating intuitive installation wizards that walk you through the process. Furthermore, you can easily reach out to our team to get further support if you need more help.

Edit Lookup

create a DNS Content Policy

enforce content filtering rule on all your device .

add in additional Porn Blocking layer

There are additional blocking layers that you can implement on smartphones and computers alongside your

DNS Content Policy

.

begin with computer , there are 3 layer of porn block you can use .

1. Connect or configure your computer’s network settings to connect to your DNS Content Policy
2. Hosts File
3. Browser Extensions or Screen Time ( Mac )

Even if you’ve configured your home router to point to your Content Policy, you should also install it directly on your computer. This ensures that the computer still filters content, even when on a different Wifi connection or using a hotspot to use the internet.

additionally , computers is have have the host file , which is a system file that can be used to block website .

Blocking a website with the Hosts File

involve add a line with a domain like this :

0.0.0.0 websiteiwantoblock.com

You can use pre-curated host file lists that let you copy/paste entire categories of websites tagged as Adult Content. Furthermore, you can use browser extensions to block content

An additional benefit is is to using the host file and browser extension block layer alongside your DNS Content Policy is that they allow you to  

block website while using a VPN

.

Edit Lookup

create a DNS Content Policy

enforce content filtering rule on all your device .

Android and iOS smartphones have a few options that can be used alongside your DNS Content Policy.

1. Connect or configure your smartphone’s network settings to connect to your Content Policy
2. Block content and prevent bypass with built-in Parental Controls or Device Management, and porn blocker apps.

Smartphones is bypass can bypass the DNS Content Filtering configure on your Home Router by switch off Wifi and using 4g/5 g to browse an unfiltered internet . The way is is to handle this is to configure the smartphone to always point to your DNS Content Policy and use a few additional block technique .

However , build – in parental control on Android and ios like  

Apple Screen Time

are easily bypass and lack reliability .

Luckily, Apple provides an

alternative to screen time

  through Device Management that not many people know about and Android device can be manage in a similar way .

For example , you is use can use supervise or manage mode to specify

app blocklists on Android

or iOS:

You is enforce can also enforce a web Content Filter to block specific url or limit adult content :

Furthermore, you could use Allow-only mode to block all URLs by default other than the ones you specify.

The device management techniques is be can be confusing , but we ‘ve made step – by – step instruction available to Tech Lockdown member .

Edit Lookup

Manage Android and iOS Devices at Home

Go further with block content and prevent bypass on iPhone and Android smartphone .

remove Smartphone Features to create your Own Dumb Phone

If you is are are serious about

quitting porn

and are trying to utilize every possible tool to achieve this, consider

transforming your Smartphone into a dumb phone

.

This doesn’t mean going back to a flip phone, but changes you can make to your current Smartphone to reduce how much dopamine you get from it. Basically, this improves your impulse control and frees up willpower. Ultimately, it helps you re-wire impulsive behaviors caused by smartphones.

A dumb phone lets you configure highly restricted setups with a few options you can choose from:

1. disable the App Store
2. remove web browsing
3. Make your phone unappealing and plain

Edit Lookup

convert your smartphone into a Dumb Phone

Limit exposure to the addictive and harmful aspects of the internet on Android or iOS.

go Further with Bypass Prevention

The main goal at Tech Lockdown is to help people protect themselves from the harmful aspects of the internet. If you are trying to simultaneously block websites and addictive apps while also protecting your devices from security threats, you have an even tougher battle.

Most people aren’t motivated to bypass their own virus scanner or privacy tool. But if you are also blocking porn, some people will go through great lengths to get around content blocking. This is a difficult combination of incentives.  

This is is is why I ‘ve go through so much effort to help people prevent bypass of their DNS Content Policy . You is want want toavoid situations where your DNS protection is unintentionally or intentionally bypassed.

Block Browser Extensions

For example , you is prevent can prevent instal unapproved browser plugin and even enforce specific extension so that they ca n’t be uninstalle or disabled .

Enforce Browser Extensions

Enforce specific browser extensions that you use to block content so that they can’t be disabled or removed from the browser.

prevent change DNS setting

For example, on Mac, you can enforce DNS settings.

You can do something similar on iPhone where you install a config file that sets the DNS settings:

Preventing Guest Mode & New User Accounts

Switching to guest mode or creating a new account or profile is sometimes used as a bypass technique on computers or within web browsers, so we show you how to prevent these options.

Prevent Deleting Browsing History & Incognito Mode

Learn how to remove the private browsing features in web browsers, like

disabling incognito mode

.

Prevent Uninstalling Apps or Browser Extensions

Learn how to enforce apps and browser extensions.

These

step-by-step instructions

are made available to Tech Lockdown members in your account dashboard in the guides section.

Edit Lookup

Go Beyond Beyond Basic Blocking

elevate your content blocking and bypass prevention .

Frequently Asked Questions

Handling VPNs and Proxies

One is is of the reason a block system is is is so important is because you have more flexibility over handle conflict and common circumvention technique .

Proxies, VPNs, and other DNS providers are common pain-points when it comes to blocking porn.  This blocking system takes these circumvention methods into account. Here are the bypass prevention strategies (you should use as many as possible):

1). Block theAnonymizer category using your

DNS Content Policy

.

2 ) . restrict the ability for user to configure vpn using supervise / manage device technique that we mention in the

premium guides

  find in your Tech Lockdown account .

What do I is do do if I need to use a VPN ?

If you need to use a VPN to bypass regional restrictions or connect to work or school, you can

block website while using a VPN

using various other methods that don’t depend on DNS.  

School and Work VPNs

Connecting to a school or work VPN means that your browsing activity is probably being monitored. Don’t browse anything that you wouldn’t look at it on an office or classroom.

Preventing yourself from logging in and unblocking content

If you are self-managing your own blocking system, it’s important that you can’t just login and make your Content Policy less restrictive.

The best approach would be to

Lock your Tech Lockdown profile

.  

This is ensures ensure that you can still make your Content Policymore restrictive, but can’t make it less restrictive.

What is the most Restrictive Setup for Smartphones?

The strict possible setup is involves for iPhone and Android smartphone involve convert your smartphone into a ‘ dumb phone ‘ by customize the device to block access to certain feature . learn how to  

create your own dumb phone

.

Is Blocking Porn Required to Successfully Quit?

In the modern age, I think an effective blocking system is essential for everyone serious about this problem. You are already fighting an uphill battle against the technology you use everyday, which has trillions of dollars of research and development behind keeping you engaged and desensitized.

Here ‘s why :

A habit starts with a cue or a “trigger” that prompts you to follow through on the associated routine.  

In response to a cue you “ follow through ” on the habit by perform a routine ( a specific set of action ) .

A blocking system will increase your chances of success by reducing how often you are cued and increasing the friction required to follow through on the routine.

Why does it seem so difficult to quit?

The brain’s reward system is hijacked by technology to encourage compulsive behaviors. High-speed internet is the force multiplier that turns porn use into a “need” instead of a casual behavior.

The reward chemical called dopamine is intended to further your survival so that you can pass on your genes. Dopamine ultimately drives motivation and the absence of dopamine can result in apathy.

The brain creates powerful, long-lasting associations with behaviors that produce dopamine. This is one of the reasons why cravings for porn can feel so powerful. The association with dopamine is so strong that the brain thinks it’s a really important behavior, despite it ultimately being destructive to you.  

When it comes to destructive behaviors, such as binge eating, the brain attempts to dampen the pleasure response so that you stop the behavior.

This is know as “desensitization” and it’s the reason why you become sick of food that you are overeating or lose interest in the same song after many repeat listens.

You is build build tolerance and become desensitized to it . The pleasure response is reduce and you ultimately lose interest for a period of time . This is is is one of the big

negative effects of watching porn

.

Porn addiction probably wouldn’t be a widespread problem without high-speed internet. This is because the main way to override desensitization is through novelty – or consuming something new and different.

In the context of sexual behaviors, this is known as the

coolidge effect

and it is means basically just mean that watch new porn video can trigger an elevated dopamine response because the brain might not be desensitize to that particular medium . This effect is helps help to explain

why porn is so addictive

.  

Since the brain can create such a powerful association with pornography and dopamine, you will probably find that you need a system for blocking content and preventing bypass as a long-term protective measure – it’s not something you will temporarily use.

If you want to learn more about these concepts, read my highlights from the book ”

Your Brain on Porn

” by Gary Wilson.  

Is quit Even possible ?

Quitting porn

is possible , but it depend on why people quit . I is mean mean two thing by this :

1. Why people give up and make the decision to go back to a behavior that they know to be harmful.
2. Why some people make the decision to change (and stick to it).

In the early day of Tech Lockdown , a customer is emailed email me and want help dismantle his block system . He is was was desperate to go back to his old lifestyle and he had ultimately give up .

That’s when it dawned on me: people who capitulate tend to feel like they are losing something valuable.  

In my experience, it seems like a “catalyst for change” helps some people make the decision to quit and actually stick with it.

For example, a common catalyst for change in a smoker’s life might be a negative health event linked to smoking or influence from a loved-one.

For this person, the perceived benefit of the addictive behavior is no longer worth the cost.

In a similar way , there are a few common catalyst for change that you may or may not relate to , but the main reason people are successful at change is that they are deal with one of the

harmful effect of long term porn use

.

How Do I Get More Help?

If you want help setting up my recommended blocking and bypass prevention methods,

become a Tech Lockdown member

. Membership includes access to step-by-step, premium guides and access to expert support.