Web Safety Tips
Protecting yourself and your family online requires a layered approach. Below you'll find practical, actionable steps — from quick settings changes to comprehensive device management. These tips complement your WebChaver screen accountability and help build a safer digital environment.
Safe Search & Content Settings
Most search engines and video platforms have built-in safety settings. Enabling these is one of the simplest and most effective first steps:
- Google SafeSearch: Go to google.com/preferences and turn on SafeSearch. With a Google account, you can lock this setting so it cannot be easily changed.
- Bing SafeSearch: Go to Bing settings and set SafeSearch to “Strict.”
- YouTube Restricted Mode: Scroll to the bottom of any YouTube page and enable “Restricted Mode.” For family accounts, this can be locked via Google Family Link.
- DuckDuckGo: Go to Settings > Safe Search and set it to “Strict.”
Tip: WebChaver's filtering service (built on Covenant Eyes' Victory Shield platform) can enforce SafeSearch automatically across all browsers on the device.
DNS-Level Filtering
DNS filtering blocks inappropriate websites at the network level — before content even reaches your device. It works across every device on your network and is an excellent complement to WebChaver:
CleanBrowsing
Free DNS with three filter levels. The Family filter blocks adult content, VPNs, proxies, and enforces SafeSearch.
DNS: 185.228.168.168
OpenDNS Family Shield
Free, pre-configured DNS from Cisco that blocks adult content. No account needed.
DNS: 208.67.222.123
Set this up on your router to protect your entire home network, or on individual devices. For detailed instructions, see our Additional Filtering Options page.
Device & Account Security
A secure device is the foundation of safe browsing. These steps protect against both external threats and unauthorized changes to your safety settings:
- Keep everything updated: Enable automatic updates for your operating system and browser. Outdated software is one of the most common security risks.
- Use strong, unique passwords: Use a different password for every important account. A password manager makes this practical.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Turn on 2FA for email, banking, and other critical accounts. This protects you even if a password is compromised.
- Create separate user accounts: On shared computers, give each family member their own account. This lets you apply different restrictions per person.
- Lock the admin account: Family members (especially children) should use standard accounts so they cannot install software or change security settings.
- Use a modern browser: We recommend Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox — both update automatically and support the add-ons described below.
Screen Time & Parental Controls
Every major operating system includes free, built-in parental controls. These let you set screen time limits, block apps, schedule downtime, and enforce content restrictions — and they're the right starting point before considering a paid app:
Android / Chromebook
Google Family Link — manage apps, screen time, device bedtime, location, and enforce SafeSearch.
iPhone / iPad / Mac
Apple Screen Time — set content restrictions, app limits, downtime schedules. Access via Settings > Screen Time.
Windows / Xbox
Microsoft Family Safety — web filtering, app restrictions, screen time limits, and activity reports.
Need more than the OS built-ins? Dedicated apps like Qustodio, Bark, and Mobicip offer per-app time limits, social media monitoring, and cross-platform dashboards. Victory Shield (the Covenant Eyes accountability app that powers WebChaver) also includes free built-in App Locking on Android. See our Parental Controls & Device Locking page to choose the right tool for your family.
Remember: Parental controls are most effective when combined with accountability. WebChaver adds a human element by sending activity reports to a designated Chaver — creating responsibility beyond just technical restrictions. Please note that not all of the recommended solutions above are compatible with WebChaver/Victory Shield — check the Parental Controls & Device Locking page for compatibility details before installing.
Mobile Device Safety
Smartphones and tablets present unique challenges because they are always with us and can connect to any Wi-Fi network:
- Install Victory Shield on all devices: Our monitoring app (Victory Shield, developed by Covenant Eyes) covers Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. See our Mobile Devices page for platform-specific details.
- Disable app sideloading (Android): Go to Settings > Security and make sure “Install unknown apps” is turned off for all apps.
- Require approval for app downloads: Use Family Link (Android) or Screen Time (iOS) so new apps need your permission.
- Review app permissions regularly: Check which apps have access to your camera, microphone, contacts, and location. Remove anything unnecessary.
- Disable or restrict the built-in browser: If you use a filtered browser, consider disabling Chrome or Safari to prevent unfiltered browsing.
- Incognito/private browsing: On Android, Victory Shield cannot capture screenshots during incognito/private browsing, so it flags the gap to your chaver as “Unmonitored Screen Activity.” On Windows and Mac, Screen Accountability keeps capturing even in private windows. Keep the app up to date and disable private browsing where you can.
Recommended Browser Add-ons
These free extensions add extra layers of protection and productivity to your browsing:
uBlock Origin — Ad Blocker
Blocks ads, pop-ups, and trackers. Makes browsing faster and cleaner. Many inappropriate ads are blocked automatically.
Social Media & Messaging Safety
For those who use social media or messaging platforms for work or community purposes, these steps reduce exposure to unwanted content:
- Tighten privacy settings: On every platform, restrict who can see your profile, message you, and tag you.
- Disable Explore/Discover feeds: These surface content from accounts you don't follow and can include inappropriate material.
- Turn off video autoplay: Prevent unexpected content from playing as you scroll.
- Limit notifications: Fewer notifications means fewer reasons to compulsively open apps.
- Use web versions when possible: Browser-based access means WebChaver can monitor the activity. Many apps bypass browser-level protections.
- WhatsApp: Disable “Media Auto-Download” and restrict who can add you to groups (Settings > Privacy > Groups > My Contacts).
Need Help? You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone.
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