Studio networks run many sub-brands, so blocking one name rarely covers them all. Parents get better results from category-based filters in Screen Time, Family Link or Family Safety, plus a router or DNS filter and regular check-ins. No filter is perfect, so pair technology with calm, open conversations about adult-only sites.
Why one name is not enough
Public reporting describes BangBros as a network of dozens of sub-sites under one company, and many studio operators work the same way. Each sub-brand may have its own address and style while sharing a parent. If you block one name, the others may still load.
That is why family-safety experts usually recommend filtering by category, which sorts websites by type instead of by individual name.
The same applies to search. A child may not type a brand name at all; they may follow a link in a chat, a social post or an ad. Category filtering and safe browsing settings catch these paths far better than a list of names ever could.
Step one: device controls
Every major platform includes free controls. On Apple devices, use Screen Time and its content restrictions for web content. On Android, Google Family Link lets you manage your child's account and filter in Chrome. On Windows, Microsoft Family Safety includes web filtering for child accounts.
- Set the content filter to limit adult websites.
- Use a passcode your child does not know.
- Create separate child accounts rather than sharing yours.
Update the devices first. Older software versions sometimes lack newer family features, and a child account created on an outdated device can miss settings. Spend ten minutes checking every device your child uses, including a hand-me-down tablet.
Step two: protect the whole home
A router setting or DNS filtering service applies to every device on your wifi, including consoles, smart TVs and visitors' phones. Many routers have a parental-controls menu, and several DNS providers offer free family filters with an adult category.
Remember that filters stop working once a device leaves home wifi and uses mobile data, so keep device-level controls on as well.
After setting up, test it. Try a safe example of a blocked category on your own device and on your child's, and check that the block page appears. Write down the admin password for the router somewhere safe, so you are not locked out later.
Step three: search and apps
Turn on SafeSearch in Google and other search engines, and use restricted modes in video and social apps. Review which browsers are installed, since a second browser without filtering can be a gap.
Ask whether your child can install apps without your approval, and switch on purchase and install approval where available.
Do not forget gaming platforms and chat apps, which often have their own age settings and content filters. Review friend lists, privacy options and who can message your child, since unwanted links frequently arrive through these channels.
What age checks do not do
Age checks on adult sites help, but they are not a replacement for parental controls. Rules differ by country, enforcement is uneven and a determined teenager may find a workaround or a site that ignores the rules.
Treat law and technology as two layers, with your own involvement as the third.
Children can also meet adult material without looking for it, through ads, group chats and forwarded links. That is another reason to combine filters with an agreed rule: if something strange appears, close it and tell a trusted adult, with no blame attached.
Talking about it
Stay calm. A child who fears punishment is less likely to tell you when something upsets them. Explain in age-appropriate words that some sites are for adults only, that content online is often unrealistic, and that they can always come to you.
If a child has already seen something, thank them for telling you, listen first and avoid shaming. Ask what they saw and how they feel, and then agree on next steps together.
Keep the conversation going rather than treating it as one big talk. Short, regular check-ins about what your child enjoys online make it easier to raise harder subjects. If a teen seems distressed or secretive in a way that worries you, a school counsellor or family doctor can help.
Quick comparison of options
| Method | Covers | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Time / Family Link / Family Safety | Child's own devices | Needs set-up per device |
| Router or DNS filter | All devices on home wifi | Not on mobile data |
| SafeSearch | Search results | Not a full block |
| Conversation | Everywhere | Needs ongoing effort |
To report harmful or illegal content, see our reporting guidance.
For most families the best result comes from combining the first two rows with the last. Technology blocks the obvious routes, and a trusting relationship deals with everything the technology misses.
Key takeaways
- A studio network can run dozens of sub-sites, so name-by-name blocking leaves gaps.
- Use category filters on Apple, Google and Microsoft family tools.
- Add a router or DNS filter to cover every device on home wifi.
- Age checks help but do not replace parental controls.
- Calm, open conversations make children more likely to tell you about problems.
Frequently asked questions
This article is general information, not legal, financial or medical advice. Details about third-party services are based on public information and may change.