How to block an app or website

This article will show you the step-by-step process on how to block an app or site on your child's device.

Before we get started, make sure that you've set up mobile or in-home screen time & filtering on your kid's devices.


childChild profiles

These are the kids you've added to Bark. 

Block apps and sites for kids

  1. From your parent app / dashboard, tap on the profile you'd like to manage.
  2. Tap new UI edit rules.png the pencil under the appropriate routine.
  3. Tap Apps & websites at the top.
  4. Look at the categories and click the v dropdown to expand them if applicable.
  5. If you find the app under one of the categories, block it. If you don't find the app under one of the categories, it's likely covered by a category rule like blocking Social Media or Games. You can add a URL exception for this specific app as well.
  6. Wait a few minutes for changes to take effect.

When an app or site is blocked, it may look like...

  • It's not refreshing
  • It's loading slowly
  • It's not sending or receiving messages
  • There's a network error

Add URL Exceptions for kids

If you don't see a toggle for a particular app or site, it's likely covered by a category rule like blocking Social Media or Games. You can add a URL exception for a specific app as well.

  1. From your parent app / dashboard, tap on the profile you'd like to manage.
  2. Tap new UI edit rules.png the pencil under the appropriate routine.
  3. Tap Custom content at the top.
  4. Tap Block access to add blocked URLs of sites / apps that would normally be allowed by your other rules. 
  5. Wait a few minutes for changes to take effect.
  6. If you need to remove a URL exception, just click X next to it.

home Home profiles

Home profiles are found under the Bark Home on your parent app / dashboard with a 👋 or 🏠:

dads

Block apps and sites for home profiles

  1. From your parent app / dashboard, tap on the profile you'd like to manage.
  2. Tap new UI edit rules.png the pencil under the appropriate routine.
  3. Tap Apps & websites.
  4. Look at the categories and click the v dropdown to expand them if applicable.
  5. If you find the app under one of the categories, block it. If you don't find the app under one of the categories, it's likely covered by a category rule like blocking Social Media or Games. You can add a URL exception for this specific app as well.
  6. Wait a few minutes for changes to take effect.

Add URL exceptions for home profiles

If you don't see a toggle for a particular app or site, it's likely covered by a category rule like blocking Social Media or Games. You can add a URL exception for a specific app as well.

  1. From your parent app / dashboard, tap on the profile you'd like to manage.
  2. Tap new UI edit rules.png the pencil under the appropriate routine.
  3. Tap Custom content at the top.
  4. Tap Block access to add blocked URLs of sites / apps that would normally be allowed by your other rules.
  5. Wait a few minutes for changes to take effect.
  6. If you need to remove a URL exception, just click X next to it.

Need more help?

Check out our screen time troubleshooting guide. If still no luck, don't hesitate to reach out to us!