CleanBrowsing was developed to offer children safeguards while using the internet. The service has expanded significantly, now processing over 5 billion daily requests and serving large enterprises, parents, and other users. Throughout this growth, the company has engaged with ongoing discussions about internet filtering effectiveness.

We referenced an article by Barb Winters from Hopeful Mom titled "Do Internet Filters Really Prevent Children from Seeing Pornography?" Winters articulated a position we share: "filters act like a deterrent and safeguard. While they can be 'jumped,' our children will need to pause and think about their actions."

Success Comes with a Holistic Approach To Safe Online Experiences

CleanBrowsing developed its service aiming to deliver comprehensive DNS filtering for adult content. We acknowledge the complexity of the digital landscape, recognizing that while we control certain technical aspects, the diverse technology ecosystem contains variables beyond our direct reach. Effective implementation requires partnership with users.

The most successful deployments typically integrate CleanBrowsing as part of broader, comprehensive strategies. Whether implemented by parents or school administrators, proactive and holistic approaches produce the strongest results.

Considerations for Parents

Content filtering now extends beyond browsers, as pornography exists across multiple platforms and technologies. Parents must realistically assess what they can control: Does the child have a phone? A personal laptop? Can they access public hotspots? Can access to friends' devices be prevented?

Considerations for Schools

Students often attempt to circumvent filtering systems, which represents an expected challenge. School strategies should address direct device management. Questions to consider include: What technologies are being used? How are devices hardened? How are personally-owned devices on the network addressed?

Strategic Perspective on Filtering

We approach filtering with the understanding that control becomes increasingly difficult as children mature. Rather than attempting absolute control, the focus should center on controllable elements, creating network deterrents. Users seeking access to restricted content must work to overcome these barriers.

We recognize that requirements vary. Some users demand absolute control, necessitating multiple solutions. In extreme cases, preventing online access entirely -- eliminating televisions, video games, laptops, phones, smartwatches, and online research capabilities -- provides the only means of achieving complete restriction. However, this approach lacks practicality for most people.