✨Your Phone Is the Problem

Let's be honest: most porn consumption happens on phones. It's private, portable, and always available—the perfect delivery system for addiction.

The same device that connects you to the world gives instant access to content that damages your brain and relationships.

Here's how to take control.

✨Why Phones Are So Dangerous

Always Available

Your phone is with you 24/7—in bed, in the bathroom, when you're bored, when you're stressed. No previous generation has had this level of access.

Private

Unlike a family computer in the living room, your phone is personal. No one sees what you're doing.

Instant

From urge to content takes seconds. No friction, no delay.

Habitual

You pick up your phone hundreds of times daily. Many of those moments are vulnerable to porn-seeking.

🛠️Step-by-Step Phone Lockdown

For iPhone (iOS)

Enable Screen Time Restrictions

Open Settings → Screen Time
Tap Turn On Screen Time (if not already on)
Set a Screen Time passcode

Block Adult Content

Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → On
Content Restrictions → Web Content → Limit Adult Websites
iOS will now block known adult sites

Add Specific Blocks

Under Web Content → Never Allow
Add specific sites you need to block
You can also add apps to the "Never Allow" list

Lock Settings

Critical: Have someone else set your Screen Time passcode so you can't change these settings yourself.

For Android

Use Digital Wellbeing

Settings → Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls
Set up Focus Mode for vulnerable times
Use app timers to limit specific apps

Install a Third-Party Blocker

Android's built-in tools are less robust. Consider:

BlockerX – Free tier available, blocks sites and apps
Detoxify – Blocks porn content across apps
Family Link – Google's parental controls (can work for self-restriction)

Change DNS Settings

Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS
Enter: family.cloudflare-dns.com (this is Cloudflare's family-safe DNS)

This blocks adult content at the network level.

Universal Steps (Both Platforms)

Remove Problem Apps

Apps that commonly enable porn access:

Twitter/X (can view explicit content)
Reddit (many NSFW subreddits)
Telegram (explicit channels)
Tumblr (adult content possible)
Dating apps

Either delete these entirely or restrict them.

Disable Private/Incognito Browsing

iOS: Restricting web content (above) disables Safari's private mode
Android: Disable or remove browsers that have incognito mode

Change Your DNS

Change your phone's DNS to a family-safe provider:

| Provider | DNS Address | |----------|-------------| | Cloudflare Family | family.cloudflare-dns.com | | CleanBrowsing | 185.228.169.9 | | OpenDNS Family | 208.67.222.123 |

This filters adult content for all apps on your phone.

✨Install Accountability Software

Blockers aren't enough. Accountability software reports your activity to someone you trust.

Options

Covenant Eyes ($15.99/mo)

Blurs and blocks explicit images
Sends reports to your accountability partner
Works on iOS and Android

Ever Accountable ($6.99/mo)

Screenshot-based monitoring
Reports concerning activity
Easy setup

Accountable2You ($6.49/mo)

Monitors all screen activity
Reports to accountability partner

How to Use Effectively

Install on all your devices
Choose an accountability partner you respect
Review reports together regularly
Don't find workarounds—that defeats the purpose

✨Physical Strategies

Technology isn't everything. Environment matters:

Keep Your Phone Out of the Bedroom

Charge it in another room. Use a physical alarm clock.

No Phone in the Bathroom

Leave it outside. Bring a book if you need something.

Use Your Phone in Shared Spaces

When at home, use your phone where others can see your screen.

Set Phone-Free Times

Create rules: no phone for the first hour of the day, after 9pm, during meals, etc.

✨When Urges Hit on Your Phone

Even with filters, you might still feel urges while holding your phone. Here's what to do:

Immediate Actions

Put it down – Physically set the phone down
Walk away – Create distance
Change state – Cold water, exercise, go outside
Contact accountability – Text your partner

The 5-Minute Rule

When you feel an urge, set a 5-minute timer. Tell yourself you can revisit the decision after 5 minutes. Most urges fade before the timer ends.

Use Your Phone Against the Urge

Instead of succumbing:

Open the Essence app and log your urge
Text your accountability partner
Put on worship music or a podcast
Call someone

✨Apps to Install Instead

Replace problem apps with positive ones:

| Purpose | App Suggestions | |---------|-----------------| | Habit tracking | Essence, Habitica, Streaks | | Meditation | Headspace, Calm, Insight Timer | | Bible/Quran | YouVersion, Muslim Pro | | Accountability | Covenant Eyes, Ever Accountable | | Blocking | BlockerX, Cold Turkey Blocker |

✨Advanced: Nuclear Options

If you're struggling severely:

Downgrade Your Phone

Consider temporarily switching to a "dumb phone" or minimalist phone with limited internet.

Use Guided Access (iOS)

Lock your phone into a single app so you can't switch to a browser.

Phone Lock Box

Put your phone in a timed lock box during vulnerable hours.

Give Your Phone Away at Night

Have a family member hold your phone from 9pm to 7am.

✨Common Workarounds (And How to Block Them)

"I'll just use a different browser"

Remove all browsers except the one with restrictions enabled.

"I'll disable restrictions temporarily"

Have someone else hold the passcode.

"I found a VPN that bypasses DNS filtering"

Delete VPN apps. Have someone else control app installations.

"I'll just use my computer"

Apply the same restrictions to all devices.

✨Frequently Asked Questions

Won't I just find workarounds?

Maybe. The point isn't to make access impossible—it's to create enough friction that you have time to make a better choice.

What if I need full web access for work?

Consider having a separate, unrestricted device for work that stays at work. Or use accountability software that reports activity without blocking.

Is this overkill?

If you're casually trying to reduce screen time, maybe. If porn is damaging your life, no—this is appropriate protection.

What about tablets/other devices?

Apply the same restrictions. Every internet-connected device needs protection.

How long should I keep these restrictions?

Indefinitely for some. As you recover, you might relax certain restrictions while keeping others (like accountability software) permanently.