50+ Websites to Block for Students to Stay Focused
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Students face a lot of distractions online. Especially when doing homework, or attending online classes, blocking distracting websites can help them stay focused. In this article, we’ll provide a list of websites students should block and explain how to block them effectively.
Cisdem AppCrypt
The Best Tool to Block Online Distractions
- Block websites on Chrome, Edge, Safari, and more browsers
- Let you block specific sites/pages
- Let you block URLs containing certain keywords
- Let you block sites by category, such as social sites, games sites
- Also let you block all websites except specified ones
- Lock apps with password
- Let you block websites and lock apps permanently or at scheduled times
- Easy to use
- Hard to bypass
- Help with productivity, parental controls, and digital wellness
- Available for Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone and iPad
List of websites to block for students
Blocking distracting websites helps improve concentration, stop screen addiction, and build healthier study habits. Below is a list of websites to block for students to focus.
1. Social media websites
Social media websites are one of the biggest distractions for students.
Every day, social media platforms provide a lot of new content, which is attracting and makes users check their phones and computers frequently. Another major distraction is the “Like” button. Students who post on social media often keep coming back to see who liked or commented on their posts.
In addition, spending too much time on social media can lead students to compare themselves with others. This can easily take their attention away from studying.
Common social media websites students should block:
- Facebook.com
- Instagram.com
- Tiktok.com
- X.com
- Snapchat.com
- Threads.com
- Pinterest.com
- Tumblr.com
- Telegram.com
- Reddit.com
Some students choose to block social media completely for focus. You can also block it during homework time, or bed time using a website blocker with schedule feature.
▶️Watch this video tutorial to see how to block social media websites on computer permanently or at certain times:
2. Video streaming websites
Video streaming websites are also big distractions for students. Platforms like YouTube constantly recommend videos based on users’ interests, making it easy to spend excessive time on it without realizing it. Some student also binge-watch on streaming platforms like Netflix, Twitch and cannot stop. This can easily take time away from studying.
If binge-watching has become a problem, this guide on how to stop binge watching may help.
Common video streaming websites students should block:
- Youtube.com
- Netflix.com
- Twitch.com
- Disneyplus.com
- Hulu.com
- Vimeo.com
- Tubi.com
- Dailymotion.com
- Philo.com
- Plex.com
3. Gaming websites
Many games are addictive for students, especially some video games. Some students play games while doing homework or attending class, and even stay up late at night to play. In such cases, blocking these gaming websites is necessary. By doing this, students can also have more time on other important activities such as reading, exercising.
Common gaming websites students should block:
- Steampowered.com
- Roblox.com
- Minecraft.net
- Poki.com
- Crazygames.com
- Xbox.com
- Playstation.com
- Chess.com
- Coolmathgames.com
- Fortnite.com
This guide explains how to block games on computer using an easy-to-use game blocker.
4. Shopping websites
Most students shop online. But some students may develop unhealthy shopping habits. If students spend large amounts of time browsing on shopping sites, buying a lot of unnecessary items, they no longer have time on their studies.
Common shopping websites students should block:
- Amazon.com
- Ebay.com
- Temu.com
- Shein.com
- Aliexpress.com
- Walmart.com
- Etsy.com
- Target.com
- Bestbuy.com
- Wish.com
Are you addicted to online shopping? Read this article to learn how to block shopping websites on a computer or phone.
5. Dating websites
Dating websites are not only a major source of distraction for students to focus, but they can also dangerous. Students may receive inappropriate messages, photos, or videos in these sites, which can negatively affect their mental health. For younger students especially, dating websites are not suitable at all.
Common dating websites students should block:
- Eharmony.com
- Match.com
- Bumble.co
- Adultfriendfinder.com
- Okcupid.com
- Seeking.com
- Plentyoffish.com
- friendfinder.com
- Silversingles.com
- Ashleymadison.com
If needed, this guide on how to block dating sites may be helpful for you.
How to block distracting websites for students?
You can block distracting websites completely, or only set time limits for them. Below I’ll show you an easy way to block distracting websites on students’ computers and phones to help them stay focused.
The tool I use is Cisdem AppCrypt - a simple website blocker and app locker designed for productivity, parental controls, and digital wellbeing.
On Windows & Mac
1. Download and install AppCrypt on student’s computer.
Free Download Windows 10 or later 
Free Download macOS 10.12 or later
2. Set a password. This prevents student from bypassing the restrictions.
3. Click AppCrypt’s icon on the taskbar or menu bar.
4. Enter the password to access the main window.
5. Go to the Web Block tab.
(In this step, Windows users need to add extensions to browsers as prompts. Mac users can skip this step.)
6. Enter the domain name of the distracting website in the URL field. Click Add. Such as youtube.com.
To make the process more efficient, click the Import button. Select the categories of websites you want to block. Such as Social Sites, Video Sites, Games Sites, Shopping Sites, and Dating Sites. This will block all popular websites in these categories.
Now all the websites that distract students are blocked completely.
If you want to set time limits for a website instead of completely block it, select the site from your block list. Click the clock icon that appears. Enable Custom Schedule. Then set the blocking time according to your needs, such as study times.
On Android
1. Install AppCrypt on student’s Android phone.
2. Launch it. Set a PIN or pattern.
If you are blocking websites for yourself to focus, ask someone else to set the PIN or pattern for you.
3. Go to the Web Block tab.
4. In the top URL field, enter the domain name of the website you want to block. Click Add.
Repeat this step to add more distracting website.
You can also add keywords such as “game”, “porn”, which will block all URLs containing these keywords on student’s device.
On iPhone & iPad
1. Install AppCrypt from the App Store.
2. Open it. Go to the Web Block tab.
3. Enter the domain name of a distracting website in the URL field. Click Add.
Repeat this step to add more sites.
4. Go to the Preferences tab. Click Notifications.
Turn on Notification and Notification unlock.
5. In the prompt window, set a PIN.
Now the distracting websites are blocked on student’s device and cannot be bypassed without entering the PIN.
Conclusion
The internet makes learning more convenient for students, but it can also distract them from studying. With so many distracting websites easily accessible on their devices, staying focused has become more difficult. This article provides a list of websites for students to focus and how to block them in an easy way. Hope it helps.
Norah Hayes likes to share her tips on how to improve focus and stay motivated at work. She believes it is essential to eliminate all online distractions during work hours.
Ethan Long joined Cisdem in 2015 as a developer and now serves as the editorial advisor for Cisdem AppCrypt. He actively tests and uses Cisdem AppCrypt and other screen-time management tools to ensure AppCrypt meets its promises in real-world scenarios.