[2 Ways] How to Enable Website Restriction on Mac: Guest or Child Account [System Preferences & Terminal]

Last Updated on Nov 10, 2020

Learn, How to block Websites on Safari Mac. Prohibition or disable some websites URLs that should not be open in your guest or child account on the same macOS but can open only in the admin account. Apple gives more restriction rules in OS X. Though this way you can set all the websites list that should be open as a guest or child login called parental control managed by an administrator. Might be list is too long in this case you can add lists of a website that should be only open in the browser. here I gave the complete guide on the turn/enable website restriction on OS X and possible alternate solution about that.

Parental restrictions on the safari browser, So not all websites can access from guest login.

Note: Before that, you have to apply restrictions on new apps installed on the guest account. Otherwise, third-party software or alternate browser might be crack your restriction settings within an account.

This setting is applicable to Mac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, and MacMini all versions.

Useful: Best Mac Data Recovery Software for lost Data.

[2 Methods] How to Apply/ Enable Website Restriction on MacOS On Your Guest or Child Login or Using Terminal

By default option on web internet URL, allowed all web addresses that you want to search in the browser.

Use Parental Control on macOS Mojave and Earlier, Screen Time for macOS Catalina or Later macOS

Use Screen Time on macOS Catalina or Earlier

1. Go to the Apple Logo from the top Mac Manu.
2. Next, click on System Preferences.
3. Now, Go with the Screen Time option.
   

   Screen Time on Mac

4. The last option in the side panel is “Content & Privacy“. Turn on the Content Privacy setting.
5. The first settings are for Web content. Let’s see how to use it.
   

   Turn on Content & Privacy Settings under the Screen Time on Mac

   1. Unrestricted Access: This is Default settings, So we can search or Visit any Weburls on mac safari browser.
   2. Limit Adult Websites: Select this option and click on the Customise.. button. Now we have to manually add a list of websites under Allow and Restricted section.
      

      Select Web content under Screen Time on Mac

      • Click on Plus to add a new one.
        

        Add Allow Websites and Restricted Websites on Mac

   3. Allowed Websites only: This is the option for Specific websites that will open on your Mac.
6. That’s it.

Use Parental Control on macOS Mojave and Earlier

But you have to change/ update through below steps given,

• Step 1: First you have the guest user account or Child account if you don’t have to create on from User account under the System preference > Users and Groups. you have already a guest account jump for the next step.

• Unlock with log in to add new accounts.

• Enter new login details.,

• Step 2: Go to the Apple menu from top > System preference > Parental Control.
• Step 3: Unlock for Change Settings, Click on the name of the guest account from the right pane,
• Step 4: From the top tab option click on the “Web” option.

• Step 5: Choose the third option: Allow only to these websites.
• To add more click on “+” or remove click on “–“.
• Now login your guest account and Open Safari browser, Type another web address then not be added to the list as a restricted website.

here, Ex. facebook.com

Note: the Second option allows an option for block website URL and Allow websites URL in the list. Best suitable option for enable website restriction on OS X is also available.

How to How to Block Websites on Mac Terminal

Blocking sites using a terminal is a common practice that helpful or the mac users who can’t access the Above settings under the Mac System Preferences. Follow the below steps carefully, Now You have been blocked websites using Host File on Mac, To unlock the blocked Website follow the second part of this solution. First, call the Host file and Remove Blocked Website data. and Save Host file.

1. Open Terminal on Mac using Spotlight Search or From the Launchpad.
2. Type this command: sudo nano /etc/hosts
   And hit the Return to run, Now Enter your Mac admin password to get a result.
3. in a Result, you will get the host file database, file like is IP address with localhost. like 127.0.0.1 Localhost
4. Copy this your localhost IP address, Move Cursor Down using Down Arrow button, and type a domain name in place of localhost name, I want to block facebook.com
5. So I run, 127.0.0.1 facebook.com also Run, [Add Spaces between IP address and Domain name, So See image] 
   127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com
   

   Block Website on Mac Using Terminal

6. Now, Control + O to save the changes. Click Return.
7. Click Control + X.
8. Type “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache” to Flush internet cache and get the effect on your Mac instantly.
   

   Block Website on Mac Safari Using System Preferences and Host file

Part 2: Remove Blocked Website Using Terminal on Mac

Here is my Example I blocked Safari on Mac, Now I am removing Facebook URL from Host file to allow use on Safari Browser.

1. Open Terminal on Mac using Spotlight Search or From the Launchpad.
2. Type this command: sudo nano /etc/hosts, Hit Return to run Command and Enter Mac Admin Password.
3. Use Arrow down Key from keyboard to Remove the full line from host file, keep Arrow on a line only that you want to remove, After that Press Control + K key to cut the text line.
4. Now, Control + O to Save Changes and Click Return to run.
   

   Remove or Unlock Website On Mac Using Terminal

5. Click Control + X.
6. Type “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache” to Flush internet cache and get the effect on your Mac instantly. Now use facebook.com on safari as usual.
   

   After Unblock Website on Safari Mac

The power setting without any third party software and application user can Block, restrict on URL for particular account very well through enable website restriction on macOS Parental control features.