How to Restrict Adult Content and Only Allow Approved Websites on iPhone SE 3 (iOS 16)

by

Want to block adult content or only allow specific websites on your iPhone SE 3? Whether you’re setting it up for a child or just want tighter control over what content can be accessed, Screen Time makes it easy to restrict apps, websites, and downloads.

Here’s how to use Apple’s built-in parental controls to block explicit content and manage which websites and features are allowed on your iPhone SE 3.

Turn On Screen Time First

Before anything else, you’ll need to enable Screen Time:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Screen Time.
  3. Tap Turn On Screen Time, then follow the prompts.
  4. Choose This is My iPhone or This is My Child’s iPhone depending on your setup.

Set a Screen Time Passcode (Important!)

To keep restrictions locked down:

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Tap Use Screen Time Passcode.
  3. Enter a unique 4-digit passcode (different from your lock screen).
  4. Enter your Apple ID when prompted—this is needed to recover the passcode later.

Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions

  1. In Settings, go to Screen Time.
  2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  3. Toggle the switch on at the top.

Now you can configure restrictions across apps, content, web access, and purchases.

Block Adult Websites or Allow Only Approved Ones

  1. From the Content & Privacy Restrictions menu, tap Content Restrictions.
  2. Tap Web Content.
  3. Choose one of the following:
    • Limit Adult Websites – Automatically blocks adult content and lets you manually add sites to Always Allow or Never Allow.
    • Allowed Websites Only – Only websites you specifically approve will be accessible.

To add or remove sites:

  • Tap Add Website under either Always Allow or Never Allow, then type the URL.

Restrict App Store Downloads and In-App Purchases

  1. Go back to the Content & Privacy Restrictions screen.
  2. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
  3. Set the following:
    • Installing Apps – Don’t Allow
    • Deleting Apps – Don’t Allow
    • In-app Purchases – Don’t Allow
  4. For Require Password, choose Always Require.

Block Explicit Music, Movies, and Shows

  1. In Content Restrictions, tap Music, Podcasts & News and set to Clean.
  2. Tap Movies, TV Shows, and Books, then choose an age rating or restriction.
  3. You can also restrict Apps to age-appropriate ratings (e.g., 9+, 12+, 17+).

Disable Access to Specific Apps or Features

If you want to hide apps like Safari, FaceTime, or the Camera:

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  2. Tap Allowed Apps.
  3. Toggle off any app you want to hide—it will disappear from the Home Screen until re-enabled.

Restrict Siri Web Search and Game Center Access

To limit what Siri can search or what your child can do in Game Center:

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content Restrictions.
  2. Scroll down to Siri or Game Center.
  3. Disable options like:
    • Web Search Content
    • Explicit Language
    • Multiplayer Games
    • Adding Friends
    • Screen Recording
    • Private Messaging

Need to Disable Restrictions Later?

If something won’t load or an app won’t download, restrictions might be blocking it.

To check:

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and adjust the settings.
  3. You can also temporarily turn off Screen Time altogether.

Leave a Comment