Blocking A Browser Does Not Always Block the Internet, What Parents Need To Understand About App-Based Web Access

Many parents and caregivers feel confident once Safari, Chrome, Firebox, Edge , or any other web browser is blocked on their child’s phone, it feels like the internet has been “turned off.” The challenge is that this confidence is misplaced because as you will read, blocking a web browser does not block the ability of a youth or teen from accessing the world wide web.

Would you be surprised to learn that youth and teens can reach the open internet through dozens of everyday apps that are not thought of as web browsers at all. No sketchy downloads, no jailbreaking, and no rule breaking are required. All it takes is tapping a link inside an app they are already allowed to use, and full web access opens instantly.

From a youth or teen’s point of view, this feels normal and unremarkable. It is often a workaround that gets shared, especially among teens whose parents or caregivers rely heavily on filtering software to control access.

Unknown to many parents and caregivers, most major social media platforms open links inside their own internal browser. If your filtering only targets Safari or Chrome, it never sees this traffic.

Common examples include:

• Instagram: links in bios, DMs, Stories, and ads

• TikTok: profile links, comments, creator links

• Snapchat: swipe-up links, chat links, Spotlight

• Facebook: Marketplace, Groups, ads

• X (Twitter): links open internally

To a youth or teen, there is no practical difference between this and using Safari. The page loads, they scroll, and they browse.

Messaging apps are one of the biggest blind spots that we want to bring to the attention of parents and caregivers. Messaging apps are often approved because they feel “private” or “safe.” In reality, they are powerful web gateways.

Common examples include:

• Discord: opens full websites inside chats and servers

• WhatsApp: links open internally

• Telegram: built-in web views and mini apps

• iMessage: previews and opens links directly

If a friend sends a link, browser based filtering is effectively bypassed in a single tap.

Games, streaming, and shopping apps also hide web access. Many entertainment and shopping apps quietly include embedded browsers.

Examples parents and caregivers are often surprised by include:

• Roblox: external links, events, ads, creator pages

• Steam: in-app overlay browser

• Amazon: opens external links internally

• Spotify: podcast links, creator bios, promotions

These apps are rarely flagged as “internet access” tools, yet they function as exactly that.

School and productivity apps also act as browsers. Even apps that feel academic or work related provide direct access to the web. Examples include:

• Gmail: links open inside the app

• Google Docs: clickable external URLs

• Outlook: embedded web views

If school email is allowed, the web usually comes with it.

Why this matters for parents

Youth and teens are not being sneaky. They are not “finding loopholes.” They are using apps exactly as they were designed to be used. The bypass happens because parents were never told how these apps actually work. This is why blocking browsers alone creates a false sense of control.

Effective filtering focuses on more than just browsers. It includes:

• App-level permissions, not just web apps

• Network-level controls at the router (we would recommend the Gryphon Router)

• Clear rules about which apps are allowed and why

• Ongoing conversations about judgment, not just technical locks

Technology tools help, but understanding app behaviour matters more.

For youth and younger teens we believe that minimalist or kid-safer phones, such as the PinWheel Phone or The SunBeam Phone, offer the best protection and the lowest bypass opportunities specific to this challenge, given that these phones dramatically reduce this accessibility issue by design. Why these types of phones work:

• No open app store

• No in-app browsers

• No social media unless explicitly approved by parent or caregiver

Limitations with these types of phones for parents and caregivers to consider:

• Teens may experience social pushback, given that they do not have a full functioning iPhone or Android phone.

• Less flexibility for older teens who may need internet access.

Bottom line: these devices work best for younger teens or families that prioritize safety and privacy over convenience.

Remember, from a youth or teen’s point of view, clicking a link inside an approved app feels allowed, and that matters!

Parents and caregivers need to explain:

• Why some links are blocked even inside “safer” apps

• That approving an app does not mean unlimited internet access

• How responsibility grows with trust and behaviour, not age

This moves the relationship away from a cat-and-mouse approach to enforcement and toward shared understanding and trust. The goal is not perfect control, it’s helping youth and teens develop judgment, while they are still living under your roof.

Although, many parents and caregivers feel confident once Safari, Chrome, Firefox Edge, or any other web browsers are blocked on their child’s phone, the challenge is that this confidence is misplaced.

Remember, youth and teens can reach the open internet through dozens of everyday apps that most parents and caregivers do not think of as browsers at all. They do not need to install anything sketchy, jailbreak a phone, or break rules. They simply tap a link inside an app they are already allowed to use and away they go!

Digital Food For Thought

The White Hatter

Facts Not Fear, Facts  Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech