12 Best Porn Blocker Apps
Join 50,000+ men reclaiming their focus, energy, and confidence by quitting porn for life.
Everyone knows that quitting porn is a tough road to travel, and many face a long, challenging journey with setbacks along the way. Many people have so-called "relapses" with porn even after they've already quit. What people often don't realize is that these relapses frequently occur due to access, not desire. In other words, the road to quitting porn for life is much easier if you can eliminate access to pornographic material. That's where porn blocker apps come in. This article will help you find the best porn blocker apps, so you can stay focused on your goal of quitting porn for life.
One valuable tool that can help you achieve your goals is Overcomer's quit porn. This comprehensive program includes porn blocker software that helps you take control of your recovery by blocking access to pornographic material while you work to overcome your addiction.
Table of Contents
Effects of Porn Addiction
1. How Porn Affects Relationships
Pornography can be detrimental to both romantic and nonromantic relationships. According to a study tracking couples over time, porn consumption was the second strongest indicator that a relationship would suffer. Another study found that porn consumers are twice as likely to report later experiencing a divorce or breakup, even after controlling for marital happiness, sexual satisfaction, and other relevant factors. There is no substitute for real connection, and porn isn’t worth risking that.
2. Porn Can Become Habit-Forming
Many porn consumers are surprised to find that porn can be incredibly difficult to quit. While most porn consumers are not addicts in a clinically diagnosable sense, many experts agree that pornography consumption is a behavior that can qualify as an addiction in severe cases. Regardless of whether someone’s porn consumption is classified as an addiction, compulsion, or simply an unhealthy habit, quitting porn can be a complex process. Even if it feels daunting, there is support available, making quitting more achievable than ever!
3. Porn Can Fuel Violence and Abuse
Research shows that porn glorifies violence. Moreover, studies indicate that porn’s sexually violent narratives can bleed into consumers’ attitudes and behaviors. Research shows that porn consumers are more likely to objectify and dehumanize others sexually. They’re also more likely to express an intent to rape, less likely to intervene during a sexual assault, more likely to victim-blame survivors of sexual assault, more likely to support violence against women, more likely to forward sexts without consent, and more likely to commit actual acts of sexual violence.
4. Porn Perpetuates Racism and Toxic Stereotypes
For an industry that is often culturally thought of as being allied with the LGBTQ+ community, the mainstream porn industry’s depictions of LGBTQ+ individuals and relationships suggest that they are less interested in accurate representation and more interested in profiting at the expense of LGBTQ+ people. Porn often fetishizes sexual orientation or gender identity, uses degrading terms to describe LGBTQ+ people, and misrepresents them through harmful and demeaning stereotypes. Likewise, stereotypes are used in content with Black performers and promote the idea that multicultural/multiracial relationships are taboo or fetishized. Porn often fetishizes many different races and ethnic groups.
5. Porn Harms Sexual Function and Makes People More Sexually Illiterate
Interestingly enough, porn often leads to less sex and less satisfying sex. Research routinely shows that compulsive pornography consumption is associated with sexual dysfunction for both men and women, difficulties with arousal and sexual performance, and decreased sexual satisfaction. So, perhaps the biggest lie porn sells is that its fantasy world is filled with sex positivity: sexual education, more sex, better sex, etc. What it doesn’t mention, however, is that the fantasy world it sells can warp sexual expectations in unhealthy ways.
It’s no secret that porn is wildly unrealistic and often straight-up toxic, yet 1 in 4 young adults report believing that porn is the most helpful source to learn how to have sex, according to a 2021 study. Another study indicated that young people often reported trying to copy porn in their sexual encounters and that the pressure to imitate porn was usually an aspect of unhealthy relationships.
6. Porn Can Change a Consumer’s Brain
Did you know that thanks to a process called neuroplasticity, our brains are constantly changing? When we engage in an activity—particularly a pleasurable activity, and particularly if it involves repetition and intense focus—our brains alter themselves so that they’ll be better and more efficient at doing that activity the next time. But this brain process can also be overwhelmed by what’s referred to as a supernormal stimulus—an exaggerated form of what’s normal.
Pornography, for example, can take our brains’ natural stimuli—our desire for intimacy and connection—and give us more quantity, more exaggerated, and more “supernormal” versions of that desire. Through the neuroplastic process, porn can change what we perceive as usual, warp what we find exciting, and make real intimacy seem less interesting by comparison. These changes in our expectations can have profound implications for how we perceive others and our relationships.
7. Porn Can Normalize Abuse
According to a study that analyzed porn titles alone, 1 out of every 8 titles suggested to first-time users on porn sites described acts of sexual violence. Research also indicates that as few as 1 in 3 and as many as 9 in 10 porn scenes contain physical violence or aggression. Even more concerning is that 95% of the time, the targets of violence and aggression in porn appear to respond either neutrally or with pleasure, sending the message that sexual aggression is normal or even desirable.
8. Porn Can Fuel Mental Health Issues
A number of peer-reviewed studies have found a link between pornography consumption and mental health outcomes like depression anxiety, loneliness, lower life satisfaction, and poorer self-esteem and overall mental health. These studies have found that these links are robust when pornography is consumed to try to escape negative emotions, and also when pornography consumption becomes heavy and compulsive. Quitting porn can help interrupt the unhealthy cycle of escapism and mental health issues.
9. Porn Companies Profit From Nonconsensual Content
In the porn industry, there is virtually no way to guarantee that any piece of pornographic content is truly consensual. It is also challenging to ensure that the content is ethical or even legal. The unfortunate truth is that the porn industry has an extensive history of profiting from nonconsensual content and abuse. It often ignores victims’ pleas to remove abusive content. Virtually every primary porn site has had issues with nonconsensual content, abuse, or child sexual abuse material (aka “child porn”).
10. Porn Fuels Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking shares a variety of symbiotic connections to pornography. Even in the production of mainstream porn, sex trafficking can still occur, and it happens more often than most people think. Trafficking is legally defined as a situation in which “a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age.”
Manipulation and coercion are unfortunately common in the porn industry, which legally qualifies as sex trafficking. Again, there’s no viable way for a consumer to guarantee that the porn they’re watching is truly consensual and free of abuse or coercion. As long as there’s a demand for porn—especially porn that is extreme, abusive, or degrading—the porn industry will continue to exploit vulnerable people to meet that demand.
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Benefits of Porn Blocker Apps
Safeguarding Kids from the Dangers of Pornography
Blocking apps can provide peace of mind for parents. Children often stumble upon adult content online when conducting innocent searches or browsing various sites. This content can be disturbing and lead to confusion and trauma. Apps that block pornography can stop children from accessing this content altogether. Some porn blocking applications allow users to disable all websites containing adult content. This is helpful because it eliminates the need for parents to list specific websites manually. There are far too many adult websites on the Internet, and it’s not realistic to expect parents to identify them all. By using an app that simply blocks mature sites, parents can help keep their kids safe.
Giving Addicts a Fighting Chance
An addiction to pornography can be tough to shake. Many people don’t even realize they have a problem until it starts interfering with their lives. While porn is accessible, it’s easy for individuals struggling with addiction to fall back into old patterns. Porn blocking software can help those looking to quit by giving them a moment to reconsider their urges. When someone experiences a craving, it can feel overwhelming. Before they know it, they are back looking at pornographic material.
While different porn blocking applications function differently, they can all help users with their recovery in various ways. Some apps simply block access to websites. If a user wants to reaccess these sites, they must enter a password or change the settings. While it may not be hard to do this, it gives users time to remember why they downloaded the blocking app in the first place. Other, more intensive programs may require users to uninstall the software entirely before they can reaccess pornographic sites. This is a great help because it makes the user commit to the process of quitting.
Preventing Accidental Trauma
Not all pornographic material is created equal. There is a lot of violent, disturbing, and abusive content out there. It’s not hard to accidentally stumble upon some of this material when browsing the web and clicking on seemingly innocent links. Fortunately, porn blockers are also relatively good at determining which sites contain disturbing, violent, or pornographic material. By using one of these porn blockers, you will prevent yourself and your kids from accidentally becoming traumatized by viewing worrisome material.
Managing Your Internet Usage and Time
In addition to blocking pornographic material, many blocking software programs will also come with the ability to limit the amount of time that you spend on certain websites. This can be particularly useful for individuals who spend excessive time scrolling through social media. Social media addiction is a real thing that can contribute to mental health disorders. However, the ease of access for sites like Facebook makes it very hard for people to stop using them. Website blocking software can allow you to designate some hours each day when you can use these websites. You can also disable them entirely.
Customizing Your Porn Blocker For Your Family
Many of these porn blocking apps come with a lot of customizable options. This means that you can develop a plan that works best for you and your family. Say, for example, you are only interested in blocking websites for your children. You can access adult websites yourself. You can customize these apps to block websites only while your children are logged in, or restrict them to only block specific websites.
12 Best Porn Blocker Apps
1. Overcomer: Take Control With Overcomer
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2. FamiSafe Porn Blocker App: The Complete App for Monitoring Kids’ Pornography Access
The FamiSafe Porn Blocker App is one of the most comprehensive porn blockers available for parents who want to know how to block inappropriate websites on their phones. It works on nearly any device, including mobile devices and computers. Parents can track social media usage, including TikTok history, and set screen time limits to help children be responsible with their device usage.
FamiSafe allows parents to set keywords and be notified when they appear in text messages, social media posts, and more, so they’ll know when their kids might be discussing inappropriate topics with friends. Advanced keyword monitoring alerts parents when they need to have essential conversations with their children. The FamiSafe GPS features track the child’s location and allow parents to set up geofences, which are designated areas where they expect their child to be, such as school, home, and the houses of trusted friends. Parents receive a notification when they break their routines or leave where they’re supposed to be.
Finally, the FamiSafe app monitors the child’s photo and video gallery for inappropriate content. If a child downloads a pornographic image or video, the app will notify the parents. Parents can set the controls and forget about them, trusting that they’ll know when something’s up, so they don’t have to go looking for trouble. It doesn’t get much more comprehensive than FamiSafe’s monitoring.
Pros
The app is compatible with most devices, and the subscription can cover an unlimited number of devices.
Alerts parents about inappropriate browsing so they can take proactive action to address the situation.
Location tracking and history help parents keep track of where their kids are, stopping the endless “where are you” phone calls.
Cons
Only works on Chrome and Safari browsers; other browsers are not monitored.
A lack of text message monitoring means that worrisome conversations may go unnoticed.
3. OurPact Porn Blocking App: The Family-Centric Porn Blocker
OurPact is a user-friendly app that brings the entire family together. Besides accessing its scheduling features, you can also use it to block porn on your kids' device.
Pros
Custom settings.
Automatic web filtering
Panic button
Supports multiple languages
Available on iOS and Android devices.
Cons
The free version has limited features.
4. Norton Family Parental Control: The Antivirus Solution to Porn
One of the top antivirus software providers in the world has also created one of the best porn blockers. Norton Family Parental Control helps parents monitor their child’s web browsing, search activity, and YouTube history to keep them safe online. Parents receive a comprehensive report via email or through the Parent Portal, detailing their children's activities in detail.
There are features to help kids stay focused and avoid getting sucked into their devices, too. In addition to safe browsing features, Norton helps kids avoid distractions and focus on their schoolwork by letting parents set and schedule screen time limits and block web browsing instantly. Of course, in today’s world, disconnecting kids from the internet often means disconnecting them from their classroom.
Norton Family addresses this issue with a School Time feature that enables you to block distracting apps while allowing access to essential learning tools. Norton Family’s selective app blocking is unique in this way. Of course, life happens, situations change, and sometimes limits and boundaries need to change with them. If a child encounters a blocked website or screen time limit that they disagree with, Norton Family helps them send a diplomatic note to their parents inside the app, minimizing screen time conflict.
Pros
Parents can get valuable insights about their child’s browsing habits through the Parent Portal.
The School Time feature helps parents block distracting apps while still allowing access to the web and school-related apps.
Minimize conflict about rules and boundaries with the unique in-app dispute feature.
Cons
No text message, email, or photo monitoring, resulting in numerous gaps in protection.
No alerts for worrisome messages, photos, or social media posts.
5. Family Time: The Powerful App for Monitoring Kids’ Cell Phone Activity
Family Time is another porn blocking software for iPhone that is popular among parents to monitor their children’s activity. The developers mention that this app is the world's most powerful control application for managing your child's cell phone activity, including app blocking, internet usage, and location tracking. It allows you to restrict your child’s mobile phone activity, encouraging them to spend more time with the family.
Pros
Limit screen time.
Instantly block phone access.
Economical charges.
Responsive customer service.
Cons
Separate charges for each child.
Billed annually.
6. Covenant Eyes: The Unique Porn Blocker
Most porn blockers act quietly in the background, often without the user’s knowledge. Not so with Covenant Eyes, a porn blocker designed for families, friends, and support groups. Covenant Eyes is more than just a porn blocker. It’s a tool to help families handle technology responsibly and break bad browsing habits. During setup, the user assigns an accountability partner, who will receive periodic reports and instant alerts to inappropriate browsing. Their accountability partner can be a partner, friend, sponsor, parent, or any other trusted, supportive person. Users can have as many accountability partners as they’d like, but they must have at least one.
Covenant Eyes offers two browsing sensitivity levels – Standard Blocking and Strong Blocking – to help users achieve their goals. If they access a website that’s on the restricted list, their accountability partner will receive a notification. This feature motivates users to avoid inappropriate browsing and builds a connection with their accountability partner. In addition to instant alerts, Covenant Eyes also periodically takes screenshots of the device screen. The app scans the screenshot for inappropriate content, then blurs it to protect the user’s privacy before sending an image analysis to any listed accountability partners. This app is better suited for adults, but its unique functionality is worth at least a peek.
Pros
Two sensitivity settings depending on user preference for a custom user experience.
Automatically notifies accountability partners to keep users honest.
Unique screen analysis functionality goes beyond website blocking.
Cons
Intended more for porn addiction than safe browsing for kids.
No monitoring of text messages or social media behavior.
7. Qustodio Parental Control for Android: The Popular Porn Blocker
While Qustodio is a popular app for iOS devices, it also works great to block pornographic sites on Android phones. This parental control app offers extensive control over your child's mobile phone activity, enabling you to restrict as many websites as you want. The built-in web filtering features help keep explicit content at bay.
Pros
Compatible with iOS and Android devices.
Filters all explicit content on Chrome.
Insights into browser history.
Web monitoring.
Turn off texts and calls for custom contacts.
Cons
Does not track most social media apps.
It may not work on Opera, Firefox, and other browsers.
8. Net Nanny: The Context-Based Porn Blocking Software
Net Nanny is a powerful porn blocker with additional child safety features you have to see. It helps parents keep their children safe with features like internet filtering and context-based website blocking, which prevent both intentional and unintentional access to inappropriate content.
However, Net Nanny is unique in its approach to determining what to block and what to allow. Unlike other apps, which rely on a list of inappropriate websites to block, Net Nanny uses context-based information to identify what’s on a page the instant it’s accessed. If a once-safe site suddenly contains adult content, Net Nanny’s real-time filtering will block access before the child can see it. Of course, sometimes a porn blocker can be a little bit too sensitive and block websites that aren’t inappropriate.
For example, a recipe website will likely have multiple instances of the potentially inappropriate keyword (chicken) “breast,” as will a website about human health. Net Nanny’s advanced content filter allows legitimate information while blocking sexual content. Net Nanny has GPS functionality to help parents keep track of their children. Parents can set up geofences, much like with the FamiSafe app, although some users say they’re not as valuable for Net Nanny. Net Nanny now features a Screen Time Management tool to help manage screen time for kids.
Pros
Contextual filters can distinguish between contexts to avoid false alerts.
Real-time porn filter categorizes websites based on what’s on them now.
Faster than other porn blocking software, which typically slows devices down.
Cons
Limited geofencing functionality doesn’t work as well as some other apps.
Screen time scheduling is proper, but not intuitive to set up initially.
9. Mobicip for Android: A Trusted Porn Blocker
Mobicip is one of the most trusted apps to block pornography and protect your children from explicit content. You can install it on phones and desktop computers to ensure your kid's safety. It not only keeps children away from inappropriate content but also helps with porn addiction by restriction websites. You can configure and adjust settings according to your requirements. This free porn blocker for Android also tracks the applications installed on the target phone.
Pros
Easy to use.
Screen time limit.
Advanced internet filter.
Blocks unusual images and videos.
Cons
Limited social media monitoring
Does not track calls or text messages
10. mSpy: The Comprehensive Monitoring App
Some porn blocker apps just block inappropriate sites and alert parents when their child attempts to access them, but mSpy does more. In addition to safe browsing, mSpy provides parents with access to their child’s browser history and bookmarks, enabling them to identify any potential concerns in their child's internet activity. mSpy also logs every Wi-Fi network to which a child’s phone has connected.
By reviewing their child’s Wi-Fi history, parents can gain a clearer picture of where they’ve been and what they’ve been doing. For example, if their child frequently attempts to access inappropriate content on a particular Wi-Fi network, parents can be more watchful of the influences in that location. The app also monitors downloaded photos and videos for adult content, notifying parents when their child has downloaded something inappropriate. It only works on downloaded content, though, so it won’t catch inappropriate images in text messages unless the child saves it to their phone.
It will, however, send parents an alert whenever a child enters text that matches specific preselected keywords. This feature works where many other apps won’t, including inside Snapchat, WhatsApp, and other ultra-private messaging apps, because it uses a keylogger that records typed keystrokes rather than accessing app data. Of course, that level of security comes at a price. For all these functions to work, though, the app does require jailbreaking or rooting of the child’s device, which is a lot to ask of parents who may not even know how to change the age restriction on YouTube. Tech-savvy parents will have no problem, but others may want to consider an alternative app.
Pros
Runs in the background without the child knowing, so they don’t feel spied on.
Gives parents access to SMS and instant message logs to watch for problematic conversations.
Works on all major messaging platforms, including Snapchat, WhatsApp, Skype, and more.
Cons
Full feature functionality requires rooting a child’s device, which isn’t easy to do.
Pricing plans are prohibitively expensive unless you commit to a minimum of several months at a time.
11. Shield Porn Blocker: The Best Porn Blocker for iPhone
If you’re looking for the best porn blocker for iPhone, Shield Porn Blocker is one of users' favorites. It is a Safari plugin that does not require any additional browser. Shield is designed by the creators of the xBlock porn blocker, so these apps share numerous similar features.
Pros
Easy to integrate with iOS.
Additional website protection.
Quick customer response.
Cons
Paid app.
Works with iOS only.
12. Safe Surfer: The User-Friendly Porn Blocker
While mSpy is a little on the advanced side, Safe Surfer is a much more user-friendly porn blocker for parents who need to know how to block adult content on Google. It’s free to download, installs easily, and only takes a moment to set up. The free version offers basic porn blocking functionality, but for as little as $5.99 per month, users can purchase in-app add-ons for additional features. The paid versions also protect children from other dangerous websites, such as dating and gambling sites.
It blocks websites by category, making it easy for parents to turn on and off sites they’re concerned about without having to create a lengthy blocklist and allow list. However, it’s customizable, and parents can manually add additional websites as needed. The parent app generates a simple report that’s easy to read and interpret, though some parents may find it a little slim compared to reports that other porn blockers offer.
Still, the streamlined reports are just one example of how easy and fuss-free Safe Surfer is to use. It only works on Android, though, so parents looking for an iPhone app blocker should look elsewhere. Unfortunately, the trade-off for ease of use is that it’s also easy to defeat. Tech-savvy children can quickly figure out that they can bypass website blocking by simply uninstalling the app. Unlike other porn blocker apps, Safe Surfer doesn’t have anti-tamper technology to prevent this. Safe Surfer is an intuitive and user-friendly parental control app designed to help parents safeguard their children from inappropriate online content.
This app is free to download and easy to install, making it accessible for parents who need to set up protections on their children’s devices quickly. Safe Surfer’s Pro Surfer package starts at $5.99 per month, offering additional features such as blocking of more categories like gambling sites, social media monitoring, and detailed browser history reports. A 7-day free trial is available for parents to explore these advanced features. Safe Surfer is now available not only for Android but also for iPhone, iPad, and Android Tablet users. This cross-platform support ensures that parents can protect their children across various devices.
Pros
Ease of Use: Safe Surfer is praised for its simplicity in installation, setup, and customization, making it a hassle-free option for parents.
Comprehensive Coverage: Works seamlessly across all major browsers on Android and iOS devices, providing broad protection.
Cons
Easily Defeatable: Children can bypass restrictions by uninstalling the app, highlighting the need for better anti-tampering measures.
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How to Choose a Porn Blocker App
User Interface: Why It Matters When Choosing a Porn Blocker App
Picking a porn blocker app with a simple user interface is crucial, especially if you are a parent who doesn’t have much technical experience. If the app is too complicated, you might struggle to install it and get it working correctly. This can delay your efforts to shield your children from explicit material, allowing them more time to stumble across it online.
Compatibility: Keeping It Simple
Compatibility is another essential factor to consider when selecting a porn blocker app. Always choose an app that is compatible with the target device. For instance, if you want to restrict access to porn on your child’s iPhone, you need to select a porn blocker that works on iOS. Also, remember that some porn blocking programs only work on specific internet browsers. So, you will need to either opt for all-rounder software or delete other browsers on the device for complete restriction.
Accuracy: Finding the Right Balance
Accuracy is a crucial factor to consider when picking a porn blocker app. Some porn blocker apps excel at restricting explicit content. However, they fail to distinguish between harmful and unharmful content, blocking many other sites as well. This can create a frustrating experience for both you and your child.
Customized App Blocking: Added Protection
The best porn blocking apps have hundreds of thousands of built-in websites to block. Yet, some allow you to add more to the restriction list for added protection. This feature is handy if you encounter specific sites that you want to block your child from accessing.
Customer Support: Why You Should Care
Dynamic customer support is essential to ensuring that you have a smooth experience with the app and timely assistance when needed. If you run into any issues while trying to block porn or customizing the settings, you’ll want help right away. This is especially true if you’re a parent trying to shield your child from explicit content.
Additional Features: What Else Can the App Do?
Each porn protection app offers a unique set of features besides blocking porn apps. A few features might be more important to one individual than others. So, always choose an app that covers everything you look forward to.
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Overcomer offers proven tools to help you quit porn. Think of it as a support group that fits in your pocket. With Overcomer, you get access to helpful features, including streak tracking, content filtering, and science-backed resources to help you break free. Thousands of users have already reclaimed their focus, confidence, and energy thanks to Overcomer. Don't let another day pass feeling stuck in the same cycle — download Overcomer to quit porn today and receive 80 percent off with a three-day free trial.
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