At Tallen Family Stories, we use and recommend NextDNS.

We don’t just talk about online safety—we live it.
NextDNS is active in our homes and helping monitor our website content. It acts like a digital security guard, blocking harmful websites before they can be accessed.

We highly recommend every parent and senior household use at least the free version of this tool. For the average cost of just one $2 story a month, you gain peace of mind knowing your child isn’t accidentally exposed to dangerous or disturbing content—like violence, scams, or sites flagged for child exploitation.

This is not an ad and we’re not affiliated with NextDNS. This suggestion comes in partnership between John Tallen and ChatGPT, with no financial benefit to us—just a shared goal:
helping families protect what matters most.

Quick Summary (For Busy Parents)

• DNS filtering acts like an online security guard or police officer for your home internet. It checks each website address your family tries to visit and blocks dangerous or inappropriate sites automatically.
• DNS stands for Domain Name System – essentially the internet’s address book or phonebookcloudflare.com. It translates the website names you type (like example.com) into the numeric IP addresses that computers understand.
• With DNS filtering, if someone in your home tries to go to a site on the “bad list” (for example, a pornographic site or a malware-infected page), the DNS filter will stop the connection. Instead of loading the harmful site, it might show a warning page or simply fail to load – just like a police officer blocking entry to a dangerous area.
• Why it matters: DNS filtering helps keep kids safe online without installing software on every device. It can block adult content, prevent viruses (malware)threatdown.com, and stop other harmful material before it reaches your child’s screen. This adds a strong layer of family safety and peace of mind. (Think of it as parental controls at the network level – protecting every device in your home in one go.)

Keep reading to learn how DNS filtering works, the types of dangers it can block, and a comparison of popular DNS filtering services (from high-end solutions to budget-friendly options) to find the best fit for your family.

What is DNS Filtering (A Simple Explanation)?

DNS filtering uses the Domain Name System to block unwanted websites. To break that down in plain English:

• The Domain Name System (DNS) is like the internet’s address book. It helps your devices find websites by translating human-friendly names (like www.familywebsite.com) into the numeric addresses (IP addresses) that computers usecloudflare.com. Without DNS, we’d have to remember long strings of numbers for every website – clearly not practical!
• Analogy: Imagine DNS as a phonebook, and DNS filtering as a trusted librarian or police officer who checks that phonebook for you. When you dial a number (visit a website), this “internet police officer” looks at the address you’re trying to reach. If the site is on a “no-go” list (for example, flagged as unsafe or inappropriate), the officer says, “Stop! You can’t go there,” just as a crossing guard would stop children from walking into a dangerous area. If the site is safe, the officer lets you pass through to the website.
• In technical terms, DNS filtering works by intercepting the DNS queries (the requests your device makes to find a website’s address) and checking them against a filter list (also called a blacklist or policy list)threatdown.com.
  • If the website’s domain name is allowed, the DNS gives your browser the correct IP address and the site loads normally.
  • If the domain is blocked (on the filtered list), the DNS filter refuses to give the address. Your browser then can’t load the page, and you might see a block message or an error insteadthreatdown.com. (In non-technical terms: it’s as if the phonebook just “doesn’t have the number” for that site.)
• Why DNS filtering for families? It matters because it provides a first line of defense for all internet devices in your home. By using a family-friendly DNS filter, you ensure that any device on your Wi-Fi (be it a computer, tablet, smartphone, or even a smart TV) automatically blocks categories of sites you deem off-limits. This is especially useful for protecting children since it reduces the chance they’ll stumble upon adult content or other harmful material during their online activities. It also adds security by blocking sites that might trick them or infect your devices with viruses.
• No special software needed: One big advantage is that DNS filtering can often be set up on your home router or individually on devices, meaning you don’t have to install parental control apps on every gadget. Once the filter is in place, it works quietly in the background at the network level.

In summary, DNS filtering is a simple yet powerful tool: it uses the internet’s own address system to act as a security checkpoint, ensuring every web request from your home is screened. It’s not foolproof (kids might find ways around it as they get older and tech-savvy, and no filter catches 100% of threats), but it’s an excellent foundation for a safer internet experience at home.

Top 10 Protections DNS Filtering Offers

DNS filtering can shield your family from a wide range of unwanted content and online threats. Here are the top ten types of protection it provides, in clear non-technical language (with a few tech terms in parentheses for clarity):

1. Blocks Adult Content (Pornography) – Perhaps the most common use: DNS filters can block websites that contain pornography or sexually explicit material. This helps ensure children don’t accidentally land on adult sites. For example, services like OpenDNS FamilyShield and others maintain updated lists of known adult websites and automatically prevent access to themtechradar.com. (Technical note: these services categorize “adult content” sites and filter them out at the DNS level.)
2. Prevents Malware (Viruses & Malicious Software) – Many DNS filters protect against malware – which means any software designed to harm your device (viruses, spyware, ransomware, etc.). If a kid unknowingly tries to visit a site that’s been infected with malware or is a known hacker trap, the DNS filter will block itthreatdown.com. This helps keep your computers and gadgets virus-free. (“Malware” is short for malicious software – DNS filters use security threat intelligence to block domains known to spread malware.)
3. Blocks Phishing & Fraud Sites (Scams) – Phishing sites are fake websites that try to steal your personal information (like a site that pretends to be your bank or a game to trick you into entering passwords or credit card numbers). DNS filtering can block these scam websites toothreatdown.com. If your child mistypes a popular site’s name and lands on a look-alike phishing page, the filter can step in and stop the connection. (This protects against online fraud and identity theft attempts.)
4. Filters Violent or Graphic Content – DNS filters can restrict websites that feature extreme violence, gore, or graphic imagery. This means your child is less likely to encounter disturbing images or videos. For instance, you can choose to block sites or forums known for violent content or scary images. (These might be categorized as “Violence” or “Gore” in filtering settings.)
5. Blocks Hate or Extremist Content – Unfortunately, the internet has sites with extremist ideologies, hate speech, or radicalization content. A good DNS filter can block access to known extremist or hate sites, so your family isn’t exposed to that harmful material. Many filters include a category for “Extremist content” or “Hate/Discrimination” that you can enable to protect your kids from such influences.
6. Protects Against Illegal or Illicit Content – This includes sites promoting illegal drug use, criminal activities, or other illicit content. For example, websites that share illegal downloads, instructions for dangerous activities, or drug marketplaces can be filtered out. By blocking these, DNS filtering helps steer children away from corners of the web that are not just inappropriate, but potentially legally troublesome or dangerous. (Sometimes these fall under categories like “Illegal” or “Illicit” content in the filter settingscontrold.com.)
7. Blocks Gambling Websites – Online gambling sites (casinos, betting sites, etc.) can also be blocked. Most DNS filters have a “Gambling” category you can turn on. This prevents kids from accessing online gambling (which often requires being 18+ anyway) and also avoids exposure to the flashy content and potential risks of those sites. It’s a way to keep the temptation or curiosity at bay as they get older.
8. Filters Out Inappropriate Social Media or Forums – Some parents use DNS filters to block or limit social media, chat sites, or forums that might not be suitable for their child’s age. For instance, you might choose to block certain platforms known for cyberbullying or where strangers can contact your kids. (While not all DNS services allow custom site blocking on free plans, many allow you to either block categories like “Social Networks” or manually add specific sites to a block list.) This can also help reduce distractions during homework time by blocking gaming or streaming sites as needed.
9. Ad and Tracker Blocking (Privacy Protection) – A side benefit of some DNS filtering services is the ability to block online ads and trackers. This means fewer obnoxious ads popping up – but more importantly, it can reduce exposure to malvertising (malicious ads) or inappropriate ads that might appear on webpages. By blocking trackers, it also boosts your family’s privacy. For example, NextDNS and AdGuard DNS specifically block ads and tracking domains by defaultadguard-dns.io. (Technical term: these services maintain lists of ad servers and tracking domains; DNS filtering can simply not resolve those, so the ads never load.)
10. Enforces Safe Search & YouTube Restrictions – Many family-focused DNS filters offer features to enforce “Safe Search” on search engines (like Google, Bing) and even Restricted Mode on YouTube. Safe Search ensures that search results automatically filter out explicit content (so even if a child searches for something innocent, they won’t get unexpected explicit results). YouTube Restricted Mode filters out potentially mature or harmful videos. For instance, CleanBrowsing’s Family filter and AdGuard’s family mode both automatically turn on Safe Search in major search enginesadguard-dns.io. This adds another layer of protection by not even showing questionable content in search results.

How does DNS filtering know what to block? – DNS filtering services maintain large databases of categorized websites (updated constantly). These include lists of known bad sites for malware/phishingthreatdown.com and lists of sites by content category (adult, violence, etc.)controld.com. When you use a DNS filter, you benefit from these curated lists. Good providers update their blocklists frequently to catch new threats and new websites that should be filtered. Some services even let parents customize the block lists – for example, manually allow or block specific websites, or choose which categories to filter (so you can tailor the filtering to your child’s age and your family’s values).

Keep in mind, no filter is perfect. There may occasionally be an inappropriate site that isn’t on the block list yet, or a harmless site that gets blocked by mistake. But the above protections cover the vast majority of risky or unsuitable material, making the internet far safer for young users.

Comparing Top DNS Filtering Services for Families

There are several DNS filtering providers available. Below we highlight at least five popular options, comparing their features, pricing, and what sets them apart. Some services are completely free (budget-friendly), while others offer premium features (high-end) for a subscription. Use the comparison table and the notes below to find what fits your family’s needs and budget.

| CleanBrowsing this enforces Safe Search on search engines and YouTube. This is the strictest filter ideal for young kids as it tries to cover all adult and offensive content. Basic Plan: $60/year for up to 25 devices (approx. 125k queries/day)techradar.com. <br>Pro 50: $110/year (50 devices). <br>Pro 100: $220/year (100 devices)techradar.com. CleanBrowsing’s strength is its laser focus on appropriate content. It’s less about ad-blocking and more about strict parental control. However, the premium is relatively pricier than it is better for a business, schools or online organizations. The free tier performance might be slightly rate-limited (slower) than paid, but for most home use it’s perfectly adequate. |

| Cloudflare Family DNS | Yes – Completely free. Cloudflare provides “1.1.1.1 for Families” at no cost It is only Malware Blocking Only: it block known malicious sites (viruses, phishing) but not adult content. There is No premium tier for home use. Cloudflare’s DNS service is free. They do have a more advanced Cloudflare Gateway product for businesses with custom filtering, but that’s not aimed at home users. Fast and privacy-first. Cloudflare is one of the fastest DNS services in the world, which means using their filter should keep your internet speed very fast. They also emphasize privacy – they don’t sell your data and support encryption. The setup is extremely easy (just change to the 1.1.1.3 DNS IP and you’re done). However, simplicity comes with trade-offs: Cloudflare Family has no customization or dashboard for home users. You cannot see which sites were blocked, nor selectively allow/deny categories – it’s just on or off. It will reliably block adult content and malware by which for many families is “good enough.” In short, Cloudflare Family DNS is great if you want a quick, maintenance-free solution that’s free forever. It’s a bit of a blunt instrument (no fine-tuning), but very effective and backed by a highly trusted internet company.

Which one should you choose? It depends on your needs:

• If you want maximum customization and insight (and don’t mind doing a bit of setup in an online dashboard), NextDNS is a top choice. It’s like the “Swiss army knife” of DNS filters. Very powerful and configurable, yet cheap. This is more of a high-end approach for the tech-savvy parent who wants detailed control. I built an entire website before doing this but I assure you can do it.
• If you prefer a trusted, long-standing solution with a straightforward setup, OpenDNS is excellent. The free FamilyShield is extremely easy (just change DNS and it’s done), and OpenDNS Home allows some flexibility if you sign up. It’s a balanced choice, and the company’s reputation (Cisco) adds confidence. It can be considered mid-range – not as many bells and whistles as NextDNS, but very reliable. The cost of VIP (if you want it) is similar to NextDNS’s premium, so many users stick with the free version unless they want logs.
• CleanBrowsing is ideal if your focus is purely on family-safe content. The free Family filter is one of the strictest out-of-the-box filters (great for young children). If you have a household with many kids and devices and you want to ensure Safe Search/YouTube restrictions across the board, CleanBrowsing is built for that. The premium might be worth it if you need to adjust what’s blocked as your kids grow. This service feels more high-end in its dedication to thorough filtering (and its pricing reflects that a bit).
• Cloudflare Family DNS is perfect for those who say, “I just want to block the obvious bad stuff (adult sites and malware) and I don’t want to think about it beyond that.” It’s totally free and from a highly respected internet company. Use this if you value speed and simplicity above all – it’s literally a one-step change to protect your whole network. This is very budget-friendly (free) and low-maintenance, though not as feature-rich.
• AdGuard DNS is a great all-around free solution if you also care about blocking ads and trackers. Think of it as making your internet not only safer but also cleaner. It’s especially nice if you’re tired of YouTube ads or game ads that kids often run into. While it doesn’t have a reporting dashboard, it improves daily browsing quality and safety quietly. This is also a budget option (free), and it’s backed by a known company in the ad-blocking space.
• Quad9 is mentioned as a notable service for security. If you decide to use a different solution for content (say, an app or browser-based controls) but still want network-level virus and phishing protection, Quad9 could be your DNS of choice. It’s free and “high-end” in terms of security expertise, but remember it’s not a content filter for inappropriate material. Some families use Quad9 in combination with router parental controls or other systems.

Finally, it’s worth noting you aren’t locked into one service forever. All of these are easy to switch out – just change the DNS addresses on your router or devices. You might start with a free option like Cloudflare or OpenDNS, FamilyShield to get basic protection in place. Learn more if you find you need more control, you could move to NextDNS or a CleanBrowsing plan. The easiest question do you know what your children view if not pay the extra. If you invest time in your child and have them help you set it up. Show them the router this is where you are protected from (curious children wont try to change settings). Mr. Talon says even the best filter should be complemented with good communication about online safety and appropriate behavior. DNS filtering is a powerful tool in your toolbox for a safer internet, and with the options above, you can choose the one that makes the most sense for your family’s situation and budget.