---

 [ LGBTQ ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=380)

#  Parental Control Apps Are Outing Kids To Their Parents & Blocking Them From LGBTQ Resources

January 20 2022

Written by Molly Sprayregen.

LGBTQ NATION - A recent study has found that 92% of parental control apps over-block websites, with the most commonly blocked content being those related to LGBTQ identities and sexual health.

The study, [from *Top10VPN*](https://www.top10vpn.com/research/parental-control-apps/), examined some of the most popular apps available on Google Play, as well as how they handle attempted access to certain websites popular in either the U.S. or U.K.

Some apps, it found, blocked kids from accessing LGBTQ resource websites like Stonewall, the Trevor Project, and It Gets Better, deeming them “adult content.”

What’s more, the study found that most of the apps notify parents when their kids attempt to access a blocked site, which could lead to dangerous situations in which kids are unknowingly outed to their families.

One app, Kaspersky Safekids, even blocked kids from using the search term “LGBTQ” on YouTube. Kaspersky Safekids also blocked searches of “homosexuality,” “safe sex,” “sexual abuse help,” “abortion,” “condom,” and “birth control pill.”

Despite blocking LGBTQ websites and search terms, some of the apps still permitted kids to access sites like OnlyFans, which actually does feature adult content, and allowed for search terms like “buy gun.”

And in only 10% of *Top10VPN*‘s tests, the parental control apps blocked websites known for the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories.

“The over-censorship of LGBTQ+ content is a well-documented feature of private tech companies’ attempts to filter ‘safe’ content, whether this is done by parental control apps or by platforms themselves,” [said Siyang Wei](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiewareham/2022/01/19/92-of-top-parental-control-apps-wrongly-block-lgbtq-and-sex-ed-sites/?sh=57eb7f847844), Policy Coordinator at the U.K.’s LGBT Foundation.

“This not only discriminates against LGBTQ+ content, but prevents young people from accessing information, services, and communities that could be vital to their wellbeing.”

Last year, [anthropologist Mary L. Gray warned](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiewareham/2021/03/21/why-artificial-intelligence-will-always-fail-lgbtq-people/?sh=35525444301e) that artificial intelligence will “always fail LGBTQ people,” along with other marginalized groups. Gray said it will forever be up to human interference to ensure AI is not discriminatory.

“When AI whittles us down to one identity,” Gray said, “We can look at that and say no. I’m more than that.”

*(Molly Sprayregen is a queer writer. Her work can be found in Out Magazine, Them, Into Magazine, The Associated Press, LGBTQ Nation, Roxane Gay's Gay Magazine, and more. More info at MollySpray.com)*

 [ ![save up to 4000 on used evs](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20ev%20ad2.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![Your Free DIY Lawn-To-Garden Resource](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/LADWP_LEAP_300x250.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/88 "LA DWP - Home")

 [ ![Pay Water Bill Help](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20-%20cares-ad.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")

 [ ![Donna Tryfman](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/Donna-Tryfman-Ad-Final-Complete-Border-White-Margin.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")

###  Exploring LA

With Nick Cabot Rodriguez

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays

 Email

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 [ ![Spa](https://www.citywatchla.com/images//ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental2%208-11-26.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/109 "Me Dental Spa")

 [ ![Cheap Gas](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/cheap-gas2-10-24.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/96 "Home - Cheap Gas")

 [ ![Neighborhood Council Map](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/nc-map-graphic.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/89 "Home - Neighborhood Council Map")

 [ ![Neighborhood Council Meetings Here](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/NewsPromos/nc-meeting%20banner.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/90 "Home - Neighborhood Council Meetings Here")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/88/071n-88bb0b90.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33300:follow-the-money-how-does-a-3-662-apartment-become-affordable-housing&catid=312)

### [Follow the Money: How Does a $3,662 Apartment Become “Affordable Housing”?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33300:follow-the-money-how-does-a-3-662-apartment-become-affordable-housing&catid=312)

INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - ED 1 Is Redeveloping Los Angeles—One Neighborhood at a Time You know that persistent, annoyin…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4b/070i-4ba64015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to decide whether California should take another extraordinary gamble with fed…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/44/071d-441a7ed2.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

### [As California Debated Sharing Data On Drivers, Homeland Security Subpoenaed 17 Million Records](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

TECHNOLOGY - California lawmakers wrestled with a difficult question earlier this summer: Could the state safely share…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/1c/072d-1c016ddf.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)

### [When the Last-Minute Power Play Failed: Sacramento Finally Ran Out of Time](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gavin Newsom came to the final days of his final regular legislative session with one more major problem…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/1a/071i-1a9188c0.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33304:l-a-s-unlimited-political-money-pipeline-when-public-officials-become-fundraisers-for-powerful-interests&catid=401)

### [L.A.’s Unlimited Political Money Pipeline: When Public Officials Become Fundraisers for Powerful Interests](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33304:l-a-s-unlimited-political-money-pipeline-when-public-officials-become-fundraisers-for-powerful-interests&catid=401)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Los Angeles limits campaign contributions, restricts gifts to public officials and requires financial…

---

##  [ LGBTQ ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=380)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071e2.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33296:34-years-after-camp-laurel-began-for-kids-with-hiv-its-first-campers-return-with-children-of-their-own&catid=380)### [34 Years After Camp Laurel Began for Kids With HIV, Its First Campers Return With Children of Their Own](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33296:34-years-after-camp-laurel-began-for-kids-with-hiv-its-first-campers-return-with-children-of-their-own&catid=380)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Mar-2026/025h.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32477:attacks-on-transgender-women-are-part-of-a-larger-maga-agenda&catid=380)### [Attacks on Transgender Women Are Part of a Larger MAGA Agenda](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32477:attacks-on-transgender-women-are-part-of-a-larger-maga-agenda&catid=380)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Feb-2026/013r.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32267:pride-flag-returns-to-stonewall-as-new-york-officials-defy-federal-directive&catid=380)### [Pride Flag Returns to Stonewall as New York Officials Defy Federal Directive](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32267:pride-flag-returns-to-stonewall-as-new-york-officials-defy-federal-directive&catid=380)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Feb-2026/012f.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32245:california-lgbtq-community-still-worried-for-transgender-youth&catid=380)### [California LGBTQ Community Still Worried For Transgender Youth](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32245:california-lgbtq-community-still-worried-for-transgender-youth&catid=380)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Mar-2025/019a.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30485:california-hotels-and-cafes-remain-friendlier-to-lgbtq-community&catid=380)### [California Hotels And Cafes Remain Friendlier To LGBTQ+ Community](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30485:california-hotels-and-cafes-remain-friendlier-to-lgbtq-community&catid=380)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>