Digital Wellbeing & Parental Control Glossary

Clear, plain-English definitions of the screen-time, content-blocking, and online-safety terms you'll come across using BlockerPlus.

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A

Allowlist A list of apps or websites you explicitly permit — everything else stays blocked. Also called a whitelist. App blocker A tool that stops selected apps from opening during focus sessions or on a set schedule.

B

Blacklist A blacklist is a list of websites, apps, keywords, domains, or other digital content that is intentionally blocked from being accessed. Blacklists are commonly used… Block List A block list is a collection of websites, domains, apps, keywords, or other digital resources that a device or filtering tool is instructed to restrict.… Blocklist The set of apps, sites, or keywords BlockerPlus prevents from opening. The opposite of an allowlist.

C

Content filtering Automatically screening web pages and apps against categories such as adult content, gambling, or social media. Content Moderation Content moderation is the process of reviewing, detecting, restricting, or removing online content that violates a platform’s rules or safety standards. It can be performed…

D

Deep Focus Deep focus is a state of sustained concentration in which you give your full attention to one task while minimizing distractions and interruptions. It allows… Digital Detox A digital detox is a period during which a person intentionally reduces or avoids using digital devices such as smartphones, computers, social media, or other… Digital Minimalism Digital minimalism is an approach to technology that focuses on using digital tools intentionally rather than automatically. It involves removing unnecessary apps, content, notifications, and… Digital Wellbeing Digital wellbeing refers to maintaining a healthy and balanced relationship with technology. It involves using digital devices in ways that support your physical health, mental… DNS filtering Blocking unwanted domains at the network name-resolution layer, before the site ever loads in the browser. Dopamine Detox A dopamine detox is a practice that involves temporarily reducing exposure to highly stimulating activities such as social media, gaming, or adult content to help…

E

End-to-End Encryption End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a security method that encrypts data on the sender’s device and keeps it encrypted until it reaches the intended recipient’s device.… Explicit Content Explicit content refers to digital media that contains nudity, sexual material, graphic violence, or other mature themes that may not be appropriate for children or…

F

False Negative A false negative occurs when a detection or filtering system incorrectly identifies something as safe or acceptable when it should have been flagged or blocked.… False Positive A false positive occurs when a system incorrectly identifies something as harmful, restricted, or inappropriate when it is actually safe. In content filtering, a false… Family Link Google Family Link is a free parental control app that helps parents supervise their children’s Android devices. It lets parents manage screen time, approve app… Family Safety Family Safety refers to a set of digital tools and practices that help parents protect their children online. Family safety solutions typically include screen time… Focus mode A session that silences notifications and blocks distracting apps until a timer runs out.

G

Grayscale Draining color from the screen so the phone feels less rewarding and easier to put down.

H

Habit Stacking Habit stacking is a behavior-change technique where you attach a new habit to something you already do consistently. The existing routine acts as a cue…

I

Image Recognition Image recognition is a technology that uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to identify and classify objects, people, patterns, or types of content within digital… Impulse Control Impulse control is the ability to pause and manage an immediate urge before acting on it. In digital wellbeing, impulse control can mean resisting urges… Internet Safety Internet safety refers to the practices, tools, and habits that help people use the internet securely while protecting their privacy, personal information, devices, and mental…

N

NoFap NoFap is a personal commitment or online community focused on reducing or avoiding pornography and, for many participants, masturbation. People join NoFap for various reasons,… NSFW NSFW stands for “Not Safe For Work”. It is a warning label used online to indicate content that may contain nudity, sexual material, graphic violence,…

O

Online Safety Online safety refers to the practices, tools, and habits that help protect people from harmful, inappropriate, or malicious content while using the internet. It includes…

P

Parental Controls Parental controls are digital tools and settings that help parents manage what children can access and do on smartphones, tablets, computers, and other connected devices.… Porn Addiction Porn addiction is a term commonly used to describe compulsive or difficult-to-control pornography use that begins to interfere with a person’s relationships, work, education, mental… Porn Addiction Recovery Porn addiction recovery refers to the process of reducing or stopping compulsive pornography use and developing healthier responses to triggers, urges, and digital habits. Recovery… Porn Blocker A porn blocker is a digital tool designed to prevent access to pornographic websites, explicit images, adult content, or related online material. Porn blockers may…

Q

Questionable Content Questionable content refers to online material that may be inappropriate, sensitive, explicit, misleading, disturbing, or unsuitable for certain audiences. Unlike clearly prohibited content, questionable content…

R

Relapse A relapse is the return to an unwanted behavior after a period of progress or self-control. In the context of digital wellbeing, relapse often refers…

S

Safe Browser A safe browser is a web browser or browsing setup designed to reduce exposure to harmful, inappropriate, malicious, or unwanted online content. Depending on the… Safe Mode Safe Mode is a diagnostic feature available on Android devices, computers, and other operating systems that starts the device with only essential system software. It… Safe Search A search-engine setting that filters explicit results out of Google, Bing, and others. Screen time The total time spent on a device, or in specific apps, over a chosen period. Self-Discipline Self-discipline is the ability to control your actions, resist distractions, and consistently follow behaviors that support your long-term goals. In digital wellbeing, self-discipline can mean…

T

Trigger A trigger is anything that causes a strong emotional response, behavior, or habit. In the context of digital wellbeing, a trigger is often a website,…

U

Urge Surfing Urge surfing is a mindfulness-based technique for managing cravings or impulses without immediately acting on them. Instead of trying to suppress an urge, you notice…

V

Virtual Private Network (VPN) A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that creates an encrypted connection between your device and the internet. It helps protect your online privacy,… VPN-based blocking A method that routes traffic through an on-device VPN so content can be inspected and filtered locally, with no data leaving the phone.

W

Website Blocker A website blocker is a tool that prevents access to selected websites or categories of online content. People use website blockers to restrict adult content,… Whitelist A whitelist is a list of trusted websites, apps, domains, or other digital resources that are specifically allowed to run or be accessed. Anything not… Willpower Willpower is the ability to control your thoughts, emotions, and actions in order to achieve long-term goals instead of giving in to short-term temptations. It…

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