Find out how to block distracting websites on a computer or phone using several effective solutions for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

How to block distracting websites on a computer or phone

Avoiding distractions has never been more difficult than today. You have social media scrolling, Slack notifications, and incoming email to distract you from an important project. You also keep hearing from productivity experts how vital it is to remove distractions.

This pressure can lead to procrastination and poor time management. In the long run, not minimizing access to websites that distract you causes issues at work and beyond.

Fortunately, you can control the amount of time you spend on distracting websites. There are efficient tools to block websites and better manage screen time regardless of your device.

Why avoid distractions?

It's not difficult to understand that distractions extend your time to complete a task. Even if that task is relatively easy and you would need a fraction of the time to finish it. Having constant internet access means that countless diversions are a click away.

Imagine trying to focus on an important report for work but then randomly wondering about an actor in a movie you watched last night. Before you know it, you're on their IMDb page, wasting precious time. Or perhaps you're checking Instagram every 10 minutes to see if anything new and exciting happened.

For some people, distractions are people coming to their desks or games on their iPhones or iPad. Research tells us that constant distractions can affect the quality of an individual's work and lead to a loss of motivation. Setting time limits on distractions is essential but creating a block list of websites helps too.

How to block websites on computers or phones

Whether you’re using your phone or computer, it’s essential to block distractions effectively. For some users, a Firefox, Safari, or Chrome browser extension does the trick. But for others, alternative solutions are more practical. Here's how you can block websites using these device-specific techniques.

Computer - Use host files

If you’re using a Microsoft Windows operating system, you may know that your device stores a Hosts file on the device. This file translates domain names into IP addresses. Due to this characteristic, you can use them to block specific websites. To block websites, follow these steps:

1. Sign into your Windows PC administrator account and follow the “C:WindowsSystem32driversetc” path.
2. Locate and double-click on the “hosts” folder and open the Notepad file. You should see "# 127.0.0.1 localhost" as the last two lines in the Notepad.
3. You can add the website URLs you want to block at the end of the Notepad file. Make sure to put "127.0.0.1” before the name of the website.

Mac - Use Screen Time in Safari

Apple products, including macOS devices, have integrated tools for screen time management. If Safari is your default browser on macOS, here’s how you can create a list of websites that typically distract you:

1. Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner and select “System Preferences” from the drop*down menu.
2. Select “Screen Time” followed by “Content and Privacy.”
3. Click on "Turn On," and under the "Web Content" section select "Customize."
4. Select the "+" icon under the "Restricted" section.
5. Enter the website you want to block and click "OK."

Repeat this process as many times as necessary. This feature is excellent for parental controls and removing distracting websites.

iPhone - Use Screen Time

If you have an iPhone, you can manage screen time similarly to macOS users. Here’s how it works:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone and select “Screen Time.”
2. Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions” and enter your passcode when prompted.
3. Select “Content Restrictions” followed by “Web Content.”
4. Tap “Limit Adult Websites.”

Android - Change site permissions using Google Chrome

On Android devices, you can set permissions for specific websites without adjusting the default settings. These are the steps you need to follow:

1. Open the Google Chrome app on your Android device.
2. Go to a website you want to block.
3. On the left side of the address bar, select the lock icon.
4. Select "Permissions" and adjust the website's permissions.

All - Use website-blocking apps

Of course, you can block websites using widely available website-blocking apps. Some are mobile or desktop apps, and others are web browser add-ons.

Any of them will help you handle the distractions brought upon the entire internet. You can try the Pomodoro technique to reduce procrastination and boost your productivity, but these apps will also help.

• BlockSite – Practical Schedule Block feature
• SelfControl – Easy to use and efficient
• FocusMe – Free Android app and free trial
• RescueTime – Excellent time-tracking app
• LeechBlock – Many customization options
• StayFocusd – Versatile and free on Google Chrome
• Cold Turkey - Locked mode and unified pricing

Speechify - A text to speech app that improves productivity

You work on your productivity in more than one way. Avoiding distractions is crucial, but you can also use specific tools to make your workday more efficient. Speechify is an incredibly reliable text to speech app that can read web pages and documents aloud.

You can choose one of many natural-sounding voices, set the reading speed to your preference, and multitask as you listen. This text to speech software is available online as a Google Chrome extension and iOS and Android app. Try Speechify today for free and boost your productivity.

FAQ

How do I stop distracting websites on my computer?

First, create a blocklist of sites you want to avoid using. Then, consider installing an effective website-blocking app on your device. You can also make operating system-level changes and disable specific sites with the Hosts file.

What are some websites that can be blocked?

You can block any website, but usually, people block social media platforms, video game websites, and similar distracting sites.

How can I stop websites from opening when I'm not on my phone?

If you’re worried about pop-up sites, a web browser extension can solve that problem. Also, if you’re using your computer and want to avoid opening Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, consider using a website blocker to prevent these sites from opening.

How do I stop myself from looking at distracting websites?

One solution would be to keep your mobile device in another room while working on your computer. However, a more effective strategy is to uninstall distracting apps from your iPhone or Android device. Also, blocking specific websites on your computer helps too.

How do I disable distracting websites for good?

The best course of action is to invest in a subscription to a reliable website blocker. The best providers offer many useful features like time tracking and the possibility to create a website safelist. Most importantly, they will permanently block access to distracting websites.