With the Screen Time feature on Mac, it’s just as easy to set limits and restrictions on your computer as it is on your iPhone or iPad. Whether for yourself or your child, you can minimize the time spent staring at a screen.
And just like Screen Time on iOS, this feature on Mac lets you restrict certain websites or allow only specific ones to keep your child from seeing something they shouldn’t. This is important for children of all ages and is easy to set up.
Here’s how to restrict websites on Mac or only allow access to certain ones with Screen Time.
Screen Time website restriction options
For eliminating access to certain types of web content, you have two different options in Screen Time. You can use Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only. Depending on the age of your child, you can pick one of these options.
- By limiting adult websites, you can create lists of both restricted and allowed sites in addition to those limited automatically.
- By allowing websites only, you can create a list of sites that are the only ones your child can access.
We’ll walk you through how to set up both of these options so you can decide which one fits your family best.
Note: If you use Family Sharing, you’ll log into your own Mac account. But if not, you’ll need to log into your child’s Mac account.
Limit adult websites
Open your System Preferences using the button in your Dock or by clicking Apple icon > System Preferences from the menu bar. Then follow these steps.
1) Click Screen Time.
2) If you use Family Sharing, select your child’s username on the top left.
3) Select Content & Privacy on the left and then click Content at the top.
4) Under Web Content, choose Limit Adult Websites. This setting will limit many adult websites automatically. However, you can add specific ones by continuing with these steps.
5) Click the Customize button.
6) You’ll see two sections; one for Allowed sites and the other for Restricted ones. To add a site to either section, click the plus sign button.
7) Enter the URL for the website and click OK.
8) When you finish adding sites to the sections, click OK.
Allowed websites only
Open your System Preferences using the button in your Dock or by clicking Apple icon > System Preferences from the menu bar. Then do the following.
1) Click Screen Time.
2) If you use Family Sharing, select your child’s username on the top left.
3) Select Content & Privacy on the left and then click Content at the top.
4) Under Web Content, choose Allowed Websites Only.
5) Click the Customize button.
6) You’ll see a list of sites already added. To remove one, select it and click the minus sign button and to add a site, click the plus sign button.
7) Enter the name and URL for those websites you want to add and click OK.
8) When you finish removing and adding sites, click Done.
Wrapping it up
Screen Time is a wonderful feature for content restrictions, app limits, and reducing the time spent in front of a screen. And with the limits you can set for website access, it’s a great way to keep your child that much safer when they’re online.
Are you going to set up Screen Time limits like these for your child? Let us know in the comments below!