Managing Websites and URLs with ScreenCoach

ScreenCoach primarily manages apps and when those apps can be used. ScreenCoach can also manage web apps on iOS.
In this article, when we refer to a browser, we mean an app used to access websites. Popular browsers include Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge and Firefox.

If you want to manage individual websites or URLs on Android, Windows or Mac, ScreenCoach can work alongside the website filtering provided by Google, Microsoft and Apple.
This provides a powerful combination:

1. ScreenCoach controls which browser apps can be used in each Mode.
2. Your chosen parental-control system manages which websites can be accessed through your managed browser.

The Google, Microsoft and Apple options provide a great hybrid approach while we work towards releasing our own ScreenCoach web browser.
For example, during School Mode, ScreenCoach could allow only one managed browser together with school and educational apps. The browser's parental controls can then determine which websites your child can visit.

How ScreenCoach Modes control browsers

ScreenCoach Modes can be configured in two different ways:

• Allow selected apps — only the apps you select are available during that Mode.
• Disallow selected apps — the apps you select are unavailable, while other apps remain available.

You choose whichever approach is most appropriate for each Mode.
For example, you could make School Mode highly controlled by allowing only a managed browser and educational apps.
Your Play Mode could be much more flexible and allow other apps or browsers.
This gives you a simple way to combine structured Screen Time with different levels of web access throughout the day.

Recommended website management by platform

For most families, we recommend using the parental controls designed for your child's platform:

Android: ScreenCoach + Google Family Link

Google Family Link can manage the websites your child visits using Google Chrome.
Google provides several levels of web access, including:

• Allow sites except those you specifically block.
• Attempt to block explicit websites.
• Allow only approved websites.
• Manually add approved or blocked websites.

You configure these controls using Google Family Link.
Google's instructions:
https://support.google.com/families/answer/7087030

Combining Google Family Link with ScreenCoach

Once you've configured Chrome using Family Link, ScreenCoach can control when Chrome is available through your ScreenCoach Modes.
For example, you could create a School Mode configured to allow only selected apps, such as:

• Google Chrome
• Calculator
• School apps
• Educational apps
• Google Docs

Because School Mode is configured to allow only the selected apps, other apps—including alternative browsers—will not be available during School Mode.
Family Link then manages which websites your child can access through Chrome.
The result is:
ScreenCoach Mode → Managed Browser → Website Filtering

An example

Imagine you want your child to use their Android device for schoolwork without having unrestricted access to entertainment websites.
During School Mode, ScreenCoach could allow Chrome and their educational apps.
Google Family Link could then restrict Chrome to the websites you consider appropriate.
During Play Mode, you could provide greater freedom. For example, you could allow another browser that isn't subject to the same website restrictions.
This means your child can have different levels of internet access depending on what they're supposed to be doing at the time.

What about other browsers?

Don't assume that Family Link's Chrome website restrictions automatically apply to every other browser.
If another browser isn't covered by your parental-control configuration, treat it as an unmanaged browser.
ScreenCoach can help by making that browser unavailable in Modes where you want web access to be controlled.
Tip: When a child is signed into Chrome using a Google account managed by Family Link, Chrome's Incognito Mode is disabled.

Windows: ScreenCoach + Microsoft Family Safety

Microsoft Family Safety provides website filtering through Microsoft Edge.
It can be configured to:

• Filter inappropriate websites and searches.
• Block specific websites.
• Allow specific websites.
• Restrict browsing to approved websites.

Microsoft's instructions:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/family-safety/filter-websites-and-searches-using-microsoft-family-safety

Combining Microsoft Family Safety with ScreenCoach

ScreenCoach can control which browser applications are available during each Mode.
For example, you could configure School Mode to allow only selected apps, such as:

• Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Office
• School applications
• Educational applications

Other applications and alternative browsers would therefore not be available during School Mode.
Microsoft Family Safety can then manage which websites your child can access through Edge.
This provides:
ScreenCoach Mode → Microsoft Edge → Microsoft Family Safety Website Filtering

Microsoft account requirement

Microsoft Family Safety's web and search filtering requires your child to use Microsoft Edge while signed into their managed Microsoft account.
Make sure your child uses Edge while signed into this account so their Microsoft Family Safety website filtering remains active.
For Windows, we also recommend following Microsoft's instructions for configuring your child's Windows and Family Safety accounts correctly.

Mac: ScreenCoach + Apple Screen Time

On a Mac, Apple's built-in Screen Time and Content & Privacy controls can be used to restrict web content.
Go to:
Apple menu → System Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy
Depending on your version of macOS, Apple provides web-content options including:

• Unrestricted access
• Limit adult websites
• Allowed websites only

When using website restrictions, you can also specify websites that should be allowed or restricted.
Apple's Mac Screen Time instructions:
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-content-and-privacy-restrictions-mchl8490d51e/mac

Combining Apple Screen Time with ScreenCoach

ScreenCoach can control which browser applications are available within a Mode.
For example, you could configure School Mode to allow only selected apps, such as:

• Safari
• School applications
• Educational applications

Other applications and alternative browsers would therefore not be available during School Mode.
Apple's web-content controls can then manage the websites your child can access.
This provides:
ScreenCoach Mode → Managed Browser → Apple Web-Content Restrictions
During another Mode, such as Play Mode, you could provide access to additional/all apps including unmanaged browsers.

iPhone and iPad

ScreenCoach has additional web-management capabilities on iOS, including the ability to manage web apps.
Apple also provides website filtering through its built-in Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Depending on your child's configuration, Apple allows parents to restrict web content and specify websites that should or shouldn't be accessible.
Apple's instructions:
https://support.apple.com/105121

Using ScreenCoach with Apple Screen Time on iPhone and iPad

ScreenCoach and Apple's Screen Time features can work together well.
However, it is important to avoid having two different systems attempting to manage the same App Screen Time restrictions.
When ScreenCoach is managing your child's Screen Time, remove these three Apple Screen Time configurations:

1. Downtime
2. App Limits
3. Apps configured under Always Allowed

You can continue using Apple's Content & Privacy Restrictions, including appropriate web-content controls.
This allows Apple's parental controls to provide additional content protection while ScreenCoach manages your child's Screen Time, Modes, apps, activities and rewards.
For instructions, see:
Using ScreenCoach with Apple Screen Time:
https://help.myscreencoach.com/en/article/how-to-turn-offdisable-some-apple-screen-time-on-ios-screentime-conflicts-g0lhgg/

A simple way to think about it

If all of this sounds a little technical, there's a simple way to remember how the two systems work together:
ScreenCoach controls WHICH browser your child can use and WHEN they can use it.
Your browser's parental-control system controls WHERE your child can go on the web.
For example:

School Mode

ScreenCoach
→ Allows only Chrome and educational apps

Web-content controls provided by Google, Microsoft and Apple provide an additional layer
→ Controls which websites Chrome can access
Your child can therefore use their device for schoolwork without having access to other browsers or distracting apps.

Play Mode

Later in the day, ScreenCoach can switch to a more flexible Mode where you choose to provide access to additional/all apps including unmanaged browsers.
This lets you provide the right level of access at the right time, rather than having to choose between unrestricted internet access and blocking the internet completely.
ScreenCoach provides the structure, while the web-content controls provided by Google, Microsoft and Apple provide an additional layer of website management.

Updated on: 29/08/2026