Struggling to stay productive on your Mac because of constant social media distractions? Social media sites like Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit can easily take up your time and disrupt your workflow. If you want to increase your focus, manage your screen time, and minimize distractions, blocking social media on your Mac is a powerful solution.
With 1Focus, you can effectively block social media across all popular browsers, including Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, Opera, and Arc.
Below, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to block social media on Mac using 1Focus, as well as tips for customizing your blocking settings.
Method 1: How to Block Specific Social Media Sites on Mac
Want to block only certain social media websites like Facebook, X, or Instagram? Here’s how to block websites on Mac individually:
Steps:
- Download and open 1Focus.
- Create or select a preset.
- Go to the “Websites” tab.
- Click the “+” button under Blocked Websites.
- Enter the URLs of each social media site you want to block (e.g.
facebook.com,x.com,instagram.com,tiktok.com,reddit.com, etc.). Press “Enter” after each site. - Go to the “Schedule” tab and enable blocking.
- Test your settings by trying to access a blocked site in Safari or Chrome. You’ll see the 1Focus icon along with a motivational quote if the site is blocked.
- Confirm the block by closing the 1Focus window.
Tip: You can copy and paste a list of websites for faster setup.
Method 2: How to Block Social Media by Category
Want to block all social media platforms at once? With 1Focus Pro, you can block entire categories, making it easy to block social networks:
Steps:
- Subscribe to 1Focus Pro (required for category blocking).
- Open 1Focus by clicking the arrow icon in your Mac’s menu bar.
- Create or select a preset for your blocking session.
- Go to the “Websites” tab, then “Blocked Categories”.
- Check the box next to “Social Media.”
- (Optional) Add exceptions for specific sites you still need (e.g. LinkedIn for work).
- Go to the “Schedule” tab and enable blocking.
- Test your settings by trying to access a blocked social media site.
- Confirm the block by closing the 1Focus window.
You’re all set!
Method 3: How to Block Social Media by URL Keywords
To block every website containing selected keywords (like “facebook”, “x”, “instagram”), use 1Focus Pro’s keyword feature—especially useful if you want to block all social media or adult websites on Mac.
Steps:
- Subscribe to 1Focus Pro.
- Open 1Focus and select your desired preset.
- Go to the “Websites” tab.
- Click the “+” button under Blocked Websites.
- Enter keywords surrounded by asterisks (e.g.
*facebook*,*twitter*,*instagram*). Press Enter after each keyword. - Go to the “Schedule” tab and enable blocking.
- Test your settings.
- Confirm the block by closing the 1Focus window.
This method blocks any URL containing those keywords.
For adult content: Add keywords like *porn*, *xxx*, for effective adult website blocking on Mac.
Learn more: How to block adult websites on Mac
Tips for Effective Blocking
- Add Exceptions: If you need access to specific sites within a blocked category, add them as exceptions.
- Schedule Blocking: Schedule recurring blocks during work, study, or sleep hours to maximize productivity.
- Pause Blocking: Enable the pause feature to temporarily pause blocking in case of emergencies.
- Prevent Workarounds: Block unsupported browsers and restrict changes to system settings for stronger protection.
By following these steps, you can take control and learn how to block social media on Mac, ensuring increased focus and productivity whether you use Safari, Chrome, or any other major Mac browser.
1Focus also helps you block adult websites on Mac, restrict distracting apps, and limit any website—making your Mac a distraction-free workspace.
Troubleshooting
- Learn how to schedule the block sessions.
- Block durations longer than six hours require 1Focus Pro.
- Use a supported web browser. 1Focus can block websites across Safari, Chrome, Brave, Edge, Opera, and Arc. You can block unsupported browsers under 1Focus → Apps.
- Grant permission to block websites.
- Restart your computer if you encounter issues.
- Uninstall 1Focus, permanently delete it from the Trash (important), and reinstall it from the Mac App Store. No data is lost.
- Prevent bypassing blocking.
- Ensure 1Focus starts automatically at login.
- Fix unexpected blocking.
- Fix 1Focus closing randomly.
- Manage website access in 1Focus.
Need help? contact support.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Block Social Media on Mac
How do I block Facebook on Mac?
Simply add facebook.com or use the keyword *facebook* to your blocked sites list in 1Focus.
How do you block Instagram on Mac?
Block the domain instagram.com or use the keyword *instagram* to restrict Instagram across all browsers.
How can I block LinkedIn on my Mac?
Add linkedin.com to your blocked websites, or block the keyword *linkedin* for broader coverage.
Can I block multiple social media sites at the same time?
Yes, you can use the category blocking feature or enter all the social media URLs you want to block in 1Focus.
Note: Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit are just a few of the most well-known social media platforms. There are many others, such as LinkedIn, Snapchat, Pinterest, or Discord. If you want to block social media as comprehensively as possible, it’s best to use category blocking or relevant keywords.
Is it possible to schedule the blocking of social media?
Absolutely! 1Focus allows you to schedule social media blocking according to your lifestyle. For more details on how to schedule your blocking sessions, see: How to schedule blocking.
