Browser controls: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge
Per-browser settings plus the DNS fallback when kids install their own browser.
Safe Search basics
- Google Search: SafeSearch at google.com/preferences. On supervised accounts (Family Link), parents can lock SafeSearch on.
- Bing: Settings › Search › Adult › Strict.
- DuckDuckGo: Safe Search › Strict. Kids often switch to DuckDuckGo specifically to bypass parental controls.
Chrome
- Supervised Google accounts: Family Link handles web filtering and blocks incognito mode.
- Standard accounts: use SafeSearch + DNS-level filtering.
- Disable “Use secure DNS” (Chrome setting) if you want your router’s DNS filtering to take effect.
Safari
- Screen Time › Content & Privacy › Web Content — Limit Adult Websites.
- Disable private browsing mode for kids (same settings area).
- Block specific sites by URL pattern.
Firefox
- No built-in parental controls.
- Use the Blocksi extension or rely on DNS-level filtering.
- Consider blocking Firefox installation entirely on kid devices.
Edge
- Microsoft Family Safety controls Edge filtering on Windows.
- Kids Mode on Edge blocks unapproved sites by default.
- Works only if the kid is actually using Edge — if they install Chrome, it doesn’t help.
Extensions: the quiet bypass
Kids add VPN extensions, proxy extensions, or “unblocker” extensions to get around filters. On supervised accounts you can disable extension install; on unsupervised accounts, spot-check monthly.
Truly bulletproof? Only at the network level.
Because browsers change, incognito modes persist, and kids can install new browsers, the only filter that works across everything is a router/DNS filter. Use browser controls on top.
Common questions
Why do my browser controls keep failing?
Because browsers change, private-browsing modes persist, and children can simply install a different browser. Browser-level controls are worth setting, but the only filter that survives all of that is a router or DNS filter underneath them.
Which browser has the best parental controls?
Chrome with a supervised Google account, where Family Link handles web filtering and blocks incognito mode, or Edge with Microsoft Family Safety and Kids Mode. Safari relies on Screen Time › Content & Privacy › Web Content. Firefox has no built-in parental controls at all — consider blocking its installation on a child’s device.
How do I lock Safe Search on?
Google’s SafeSearch can be locked on for supervised accounts through Family Link. Bing has Settings › Search › Adult › Strict. Set DuckDuckGo to strict too — children often switch to it specifically because parental filters are weaker there.
What is the quiet bypass I should check for?
Extensions. VPN, proxy and “unblocker” extensions get around filters entirely. On supervised accounts you can disable extension installation; on unsupervised ones, spot-check the list monthly.
Why does my router filtering not affect Chrome?
Chrome’s “Use secure DNS” setting routes lookups through its own encrypted DNS instead of your router’s. Disable it on your child’s browser if you want router-level filtering to take effect.