Web Parental Control: Which Websites Are Dangerous for Children and How to Block Them

Why Some Websites Are Dangerous for Children

Children’s online safety is compromised by websites that present content beyond their emotional or cognitive readiness. For instance:

• Age-related differences in perception mean that what might be viewed as art or mature discussion by teenagers can seem confusing or even harmful to younger children.
• Exposure to dangerous websites, such as those with adult themes or violent imagery, can lead to risks for mental health, personal safety, and compromised privacy.
• Accidental encounters with harmful content are common; children might stumble upon sites promoting dangerous challenges or scams. These risks emphasize why a well-balanced Web control strategy combined with clear parenting advice is essential.

How Categories of Undesirable Websites Are Defined and How They Depend on a Child’s Age

Categories of undesirable websites are formed based on content analysis, recommendations from cybersecurity experts, and data from official sources, including Google and Apple. This approach makes it possible not just to create a list of individual resources but to identify types of websites that pose the greatest threat to children.

When classifying websites, age‑related differences in information perception are taken into account, as children of different ages have varying levels of critical thinking and digital literacy. This helps tailor internet safety rules as accurately as possible.

Since the internet is constantly evolving, categories of undesirable websites are regularly updated to reflect new threats and ensure a relevant level of protection.

Age recommendations:

• 6–9 years: blocking all unclear, aggressive, or emotionally overwhelming content.
• 10–13 years: special attention to social networks, video platforms, and gaming chats.
• 14–18 years: risks of gambling, dangerous challenges, toxic communities, and personal data collection.

This is why modern parental control systems recommend blocking categories of websites rather than individual URLs — it ensures stable protection even in a rapidly changing digital environment.

Categories of Undesirable Websites for Children: What Should Be Blocked First

Online threats are becoming increasingly complex, and harmful websites are becoming more disguised. Therefore, it is important not only to know specific addresses but also to understand the categories of web resources that pose the greatest danger to children. Below are the main types of websites that require mandatory blocking through parental control.

1. Pornographic and Erotic Websites

Examples: Major porn platforms, webcam sites, erotic chats.

Risks: Psychological trauma, distorted perception of relationships, early sexualization, addiction.

Typical Risk Scenario: In many countries, cases were recorded where children accessed pornographic websites through pop‑up ads in free games. Advertising network algorithms sometimes mistakenly displayed adult content to minors, leading to psychological shock and early sexualization.

2. Websites with Violence, Cruelty, and Shock Content

Examples: Resources with real scenes of violence, forums with graphic videos, pages with “shock content.”

Risks: Anxiety, fears, desensitization to violence, emotional disorders.

Reported Incident: In 2025, cyber police in several countries reported a rise in the popularity of “shock‑video” websites that children accessed through links on social media. Parents sought help after their child saw real scenes of violence and began showing signs of anxiety and fear.

3. Anonymous Chats and Video Chats

Examples: Omegle‑type platforms, random video chats, anonymous dating sites.

Risks: Grooming, communication with adults posing as children, exposure to inappropriate content.

Illustrative Case: Anonymous video chats similar to Omegle repeatedly caused incidents where children encountered inappropriate content or adults pretending to be teenagers. Due to the lack of moderation and age verification, a child may see shocking material within seconds. Cyber police reports list such services as sources of grooming and psychological pressure.

4. Gambling and Online Betting Websites

Examples: Online casinos, betting sites, slots and roulette.

Risks: Addiction, financial losses, fraud, access to undesirable adult communities.

Common Situation: Teenagers often land on betting websites through fake “gaming” banners. In 2023–2025, cases were recorded where children spent money from their parents’ bank cards without realizing they were participating in real gambling.

5. Pirated Websites and Fake Downloads

Examples: Sites with pirated movies, “free” games containing viruses, fake software download pages.

Risks: Viruses, data theft, malware, unwanted ads.

Typical Scenario: One of the most common cases is when a child searches for a “free game” and ends up on a pirated website, downloading a file containing a virus. In many situations, such files

contained malware that stole passwords from social networks or gaming accounts.

6. Websites with Propaganda, Hate, and Toxic Ideologies

Examples: Radical forums, resources promoting violence, communities with toxic views.

Risks: Manipulation, psychological influence, involvement in dangerous groups.

Example from Psychological Practice: In 2025, specialists reported cases where teenagers joined online communities with radical views. Children began adopting aggressive rhetoric, getting into conflicts at school, and showing drastic behavioral changes.

7. Websites with Dangerous Challenges and Viral Trends

Examples: Pages with extreme tasks, forums with dangerous flash mobs, sites with instructions for risky behavior.

Risks: Physical injuries, self‑harm, imitation of dangerous actions.

Real Situation: On forums with dangerous challenges, children found “tasks” encouraging risky behavior. Several countries recorded injury cases when teenagers attempted to repeat dangerous viral stunts.

8. Phishing and Fraudulent Websites

Examples: Fake banking pages, counterfeit social networks, clone sites of popular services.

Risks: Theft of personal data, account access, financial losses.

Common Case: Children often receive phishing links disguised as “game rewards” or “bonuses.” In 2025, many parents reported that their children entered account data on fake pages and subsequently lost access to games or social networks.

9. Gaming Websites with Unmoderated Chats

Examples: MMORPG platforms without moderation, gaming sites with open chats, resources with toxic communities.

Risks: Bullying, communication with strangers, toxic behavior, addiction.

Real‑Life Situation: In popular MMORPG games, children often encounter toxic behavior, bullying, or communication with adults posing as peers. In several cases, parents reported psychological pressure and threats in gaming chats.

10. Websites Selling Prohibited Goods

Examples: Illegal online stores, resources with dangerous substances, sites offering fake documents.

Risks: Fraud, criminal consequences, dangerous purchases.

Documented Case: On social networks and forums, children sometimes encounter “stores” offering dangerous substances or fake documents. In 2025, cyber police reported cases where teenagers attempted to purchase such items without understanding the legal consequences.

Understanding which categories of websites pose the greatest danger is only the first step. The next important task is knowing how to effectively block such resources on a child’s device.

How to Block Unwanted Websites

Parents have several tools to enact parental control measures. Here are some practical options and tips for parents:

1. Blocking Websites on Smartphones  

   • Android and iOS devices offer built-in restrictions for Safe search and web control.  

   • Applications like the parental control app Kroha help manage secure browsing by enforcing safe search protocols, ensuring children do not inadvertently access dangerous websites.

2. Blocking Websites on Computers  

   • Both Windows and macOS systems allow users to edit host files or use third-party applications to block access.  

   • Configuring these controls assists in minimizing exposure to harmful content.

3. Setting Up Parental Controls in Web Browsers  

   • Major browsers include extensions or settings for safe browsing and filtering, which support blocking websites effectively.

   • These features let parents define approved sites and block those categorized as dangerous websites.

4. Using Dedicated Parental Control Services  

   • Many services offer comprehensive control with real-time updates and alerts.

   • They provide a centralized dashboard that streamlines ongoing monitoring.

5. Blocking Websites Through a Wi-Fi Router  

   • By configuring the router’s settings, parents can prevent device connections to sites that are known to be unsafe.

   • This method extends parental control across all devices on a secured home network.

By blending multiple techniques—employing a url blocker along with dedicated applications and built-in settings—parents create a robust defense against unwanted content.

How to Talk to Your Child About Website Blocking

Effective parental control is not just about technology—it’s also about communication. It is dialogue that builds trust and reduces the risk of conflicts. It is important to talk to a child about parental control not as a punishment, but as a protective measure.  

• Explaining WHY certain sites are blocked, rather than enforcing bans without context, can help children appreciate the precaution.  

• Setting rules together and reaching mutual agreements fosters a sense of responsibility and trust.  

• Through open dialogue, parents can reinforce digital literacy and ensure children understand the risks associated with dangerous websites.

Common Parenting Mistakes

Even with the best intentions, parents sometimes make mistakes that reduce the effectiveness of parental control and may create additional risks.

• Implementing total bans without a conversation can lead to secretive online behavior. Communication and clear rules generate better cooperation.

• Neglecting supervision during adolescence may cause teenagers to bypass parental control tools. Regular monitoring is as essential as initial blocking.

• Relying on a one-time setup without regular review may leave gaps, given the dynamic nature of online content. Adjustments and discussions should be part of an ongoing strategy.

By avoiding these common mistakes, parents can significantly increase their child’s level of online safety.

Conclusion

Using website blocking as a protective measure is about ensuring safety rather than punishment. A balanced approach combines technical solutions—such as parental control, safe search settings, and a dedicated app like Kroha—with open communication and trust-building. As part of ongoing parenting advice, regularly reviewing your control settings and discussing digital responsibilities with your children will reinforce their online safety and empower them to navigate the internet wisely. By understanding the dangers and utilizing a complete list of unwanted websites categorized by risk, parents can better ensure a secure digital future for their children.