Christian Internet Filters

The internet is awash with pornography and other undesirable content. How can Christians engage with the digital world while protecting themselves and their families? If you’re a Christian, especially a Christian parent, you need to understand the importance of internet filters, what they are, how they work, and how to use them to protect yourself or your family.

What are internet filters?

The term “internet filter” refers broadly to a variety of technical solutions for limiting content accessible through the internet. An internet filter may primarily block malicious content, or it may be designed to block pornography, hate speech, or specific topics.

Types of Internet Filters

Filters come in many different types. Here are some of the most popular kinds of filters.

Browser-Based Filters

One way to filter internet content is a filtered browser. The browser controls which websites can be accessed through and may include other features like pop-up blocking. The biggest downside to a browser-based filter is that it’s usually easy to access an unfiltered browser.

Browser-based filters are used most often on mobile devices, where other browser apps can be disabled. Before Covenant Eyes had device-wide filtering for iPhones and iPads, the Covenant Eyes browser was a stand-alone filter.  A current example is the SPIN Safe browser.

Search-Engine Filters

Popular search engines, like Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo, all have safe search settings that you can use to filter out objectionable websites. Check out this article, How to Block Porn Sites, for detailed directions to configure safe search.

Filtered Internet Providers

In many countries, government regulations require internet service providers (ISPs) to filter certain types of content. In the United States, there are fewer regulations, and internet providers generally do not censor content by default. However, many internet providers do have filtering options to protect from malicious content, pornography, or other undesirable websites. 

The downside of ISP-provided filtering is that it’s usually less precise than what is offered by companies that specialize in filtering. It may also be more difficult to customize your settings.

Network/Router Filtering

Similar to ISP-level filtering, you can filter the content on a network using a router or other server configuration. For home use, a router is the easiest way to configure network filtering. Most routers come equipped with some filtering options.

For parents, a router such as Gryphon provides extensive parental control options to ensure that every internet-connected device on the network is filtered.

For more on this, check out Why Is My Router So Important?

DNS-based Filtering

Domain Name System (DNS) is like the address book that networks use to find websites on the internet. A filtered DNS provider will block dangerous or undesirable websites from loading. CleanBrowsing is a filtered DNS provider and a partner of Covenant Eyes.  

DNS-based filtering can be applied to a router or network settings. Or, it can be configured on an individual computer/device using filtering software (see below).

Filtering Apps

Rather than working on the network itself, filtering apps run on individual computers or devices. Covenant Eyes is a good example. These applications may employ various types of filtering technology (e.g., DNS filtering), but the key point here is you install the application in order to use it.

How do I filter internet content?

The easiest way to filter internet content is to use Victory by Covenant Eyes. Create your account, install the app, and you can configure your settings for all your devices.

Here’s a support article that has more detailed information about Covenant Eyes filtering. If you’re ready to sign up, you can get Victory now.

Should Christians filter their internet access?

Discussions about filtering the internet often include concerns about censorship and free speech. There are obviously legitimate concerns here, and any legislation about internet filtering should be carefully considered. However, for individual Christians at least, and especially Christian parents, using filters should be a no-brainer.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8)

However, understanding the role and limitations of filters is essential to using them well. Parents, in particular, should never assume that their children are safe online just because they have filters installed.

All filters are limited in how much objectionable content they can actually block.

Do internet filters work?

Internet filters provide a first line of defense against objectionable content, particularly for young children who may stumble on things accidentally if left unprotected. But the fact remains that internet filters alone are ineffective for maintaining a porn-free life.

Filters Don’t Catch Everything

No filter is 100% effective at blocking every bit of inappropriate content. There are always loopholes that can allow undesirable things to slip through.

Filters (At Best) Only Control Behavior

In one study, 0% of filter users said they never seek out porn. In fact, evidence suggests that in some cases, filters can incentivize seeking out pornography. This is because a filter only seeks to control what content is accessible; it doesn’t change the heart.

 Filters Work Best Combined With Accountability

The best way to use an internet filter is combined with accountability—both software to report on activity and real relationships to discuss them. This is close to the heart of what we do at Covenant Eyes: We seek to integrate accountability and real relationships with digital habits.