How do I block SnapChat?
My 16 year old son is contacting bad people on SnapChat. I want to block him from using the site on my computer. I've already blocked it on his iPhone.
2 replies
Pragmatically, you can't.
Kids are skilled at bypassing these blocks, or at finding out how to bypass these blocks.
Adding the DNS names into a DNS-server-based block list is possible, or adding the associated IP addresses into an IP-based filter at the local network firewall or via the local hosts file, but all that can be bypassed given enough inclination and a little research. VPNs will get past IP and DNS blocks. And kids often know about hosts files, or learn about them. And about DNS-based blocks, all with a little research.
A "burner" phone or a tablet with a cellular plan—those cellular data plans can be had for ~$10 and less—will get past any firewall block too, even a total network disconnection. And that'll also get your son around Parental Controls and a locked-down login, too.
But... have at. Censorship is a very hard problem. I don't need to tell you that kids learn quickly. Not always what we want them to learn. They watch and learn things about us, too. Your son may even be reading this discussion.
How do I block SnapChat?