I need a website blocker for my Mac and Apple devices

September 13, 2022 12:46 PM

I have come to the conclusion that I am addicted/compulsive about viewing certain web sites. I need an industrial strength web blocker for my Mac, iPhone, and iPad. I am very savvy with a computer so I'd prefer something password protected that I could use to keep myself locked out for an extended period of time, say a week or a month at a time. Something without a backdoor where I could turn the protection off myself. I have tried will power but I am helpless against this behavior. Suggestions welcomed.
posted by captainscared to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

Best answer: Freedom in Locked mode may be what you're looking for. I haven't used it but I hear good things about the level of usefulness of the program and it also has some browser extensions for a "lite" version of the same experience.
posted by jessamyn at 12:54 PM on September 13, 2022 [1 favorite]

Also consider the free app SelfControl.
posted by Ahmad Khani at 12:58 PM on September 13, 2022 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Ive used self control. Its great but I don't think you can set it for longer than a day at a time
posted by captainscared at 12:59 PM on September 13, 2022

If an addictive website requires a login, have a trusted friend create a new password for you. Allow this friend to enter it into your account, and have the friend write it down on a piece of paper. Give that paper to your trusted friend. If you want access to that account, you have to ask your friend for the password.
posted by cleverevans at 1:19 PM on September 13, 2022

Focus is similar to Freedom. Its Hardcore mode sounds like Locked in Freedom. I've used it myself (not on Hardcore mode) to help me get out of the habit of wasting too much time online.
posted by brianogilvie at 1:25 PM on September 13, 2022

I’ve used Freedom with good results.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 1:27 PM on September 13, 2022

I used Cold Turkey Blocker (paid version, one-off payment) and it worked for my writing deadline crunch. It keeps blocking even when you quit the program and you can't uninstall it during a block either. I set a daily block with a blacklist of websites that was 23h55m with a weird 5 min window (like 4am) when I would be asleep. You can also set a continuous block until a certain date with the paid version I think.
posted by monocot at 3:25 PM on September 13, 2022