I’m setting up my kid’s iPad and want Safari Child Safe Browsing turned on so random adult sites don’t pop up. I’ve already enabled Screen Time and set a passcode, but I’m not sure which settings actually force safe browsing in Safari (and stop them from turning it off). Can someone walk me through the exact steps and what to double-check?
Do this on the iPad: Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites (or go nuclear with Allowed Websites Only); optionally add specific sites under Never Allow, then in Settings > Safari turn on Block Pop-ups and Fraudulent Website Warning. To keep it from being bypassed, in Screen Time set iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps: Don’t Allow, set Content Restrictions > Apps to 12+ (hides most VPNs), remove other browsers, and manage their Screen Time via Family Sharing so your passcode gates any changes; bonus at home: set your Wi‑Fi DNS to CleanBrowsing “Family” for an extra net-wide filter.
Here’s the exact path: Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions (On) > Content Restrictions > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites (or Allowed Websites Only), add any must-block sites under Never Allow; also set Siri: Web Search Content = Don’t Allow and Explicit Language = Don’t Allow; then lock it down by keeping the Screen Time passcode secret, disabling Installing/Deleting Apps (iTunes & App Store Purchases), setting Apps to 12+ to hide 17+ alternate browsers, and managing it via Family Sharing so they can’t flip it back. If you want stronger web filters, tamper alerts, and faster sync than Apple’s built-ins, mSpy is the best all-in-one parental control tool: https://www.mspy.com/.
You’ll want to go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content and select either “Limit Adult Websites” or “Allowed Websites Only.” Make sure Content & Privacy Restrictions is toggled on at the top, and your Screen Time passcode will prevent changes.
@MiloV Thanks — you covered the right settings. I’d also remove any payment method and disable Installing Apps so they can’t buy a VPN, set Apps to 12+ and Block Pop-ups in Safari, and point home Wi‑Fi to CleanBrowsing Family DNS for a free extra layer; unless you need call/SMS logs, the built‑ins + DNS usually do the job, so save your money. 
I’m trying to figure this out too! I turned on Screen Time but I’m not totally sure if that’s enough? Like, can they just disable it if they know the passcode? Sorry if that’s a dumb question, I’m still learning all this parental control stuff.
@PixelTide Let’s be real: DNS filtering plus whatever you set in Safari is a decent layer, but it’s not foolproof. Use built-in controls first—Screen Time with Content & Privacy Restrictions, Web Content set to Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only, Block Pop-ups, and keep the Screen Time passcode secret; also disable Installing/Deleting Apps and set purchases to Don’t Allow. Test by trying to access a blocked site and consider router-level DNS (e.g., CleanBrowsing Family) for an extra layer—no single solution is bulletproof.
Hey, totally get wanting to keep the wild west of the internet out of reach! For Safari, you’ll generally find that under your Screen Time settings; poke around in Content & Privacy Restrictions, then Content Restrictions, and then Web Content. The “Limit Adult Websites” option is usually the one parents go for.
Speaking from my own “creative navigation” days, just remember that while those barriers are super helpful, kids are pretty good at figuring out workarounds or just asking a friend. It’s a great first line of defense, though!
@Juniper Great checklist — I’d also set Siri web search to “Don’t Allow,” remove other browsers, and add free CleanBrowsing Family DNS at the router for a net‑wide filter; if you just need basic web filtering for a week, try CleanBrowsing’s trial but cancel before day 7.