Profanity filters: everything you need to know + our top 5 tips (2023)

The Internet can be a hostile and uncomfortable place. Social media platforms, forums and streaming sites have a lot of profane content or adult language. Profanity filters can help protect users from profanity.

In the following article, we'll talk about what profanity filters are, how to enable them on popular social networks, and we'll talk about some of the best profanity filters available, including their main benefits and limitations.

What is a profanity filter?

Profanity filters are essentially filters that use algorithmscensor offensive words, profanity or profanity or any other form of profanity.

They usually have onelong list of profane words. Whenever these words are used by members of a community or featured in a movie, the algorithm automatically replaces them with synonyms, replaces them with symbols, or mutes that section of audio.

Some platforms filter out profanity by default. An example of this is multiplayer games. Chatting in-game or in the pre-game lobby is an integral part of the multiplayer experience.

But when you bring hundreds of thousands of people together in one place, you can expect some people to use offensive language or annoy other players. For this reason, the filtering of profanityactivated automaticallyfor game chats. Because these games are geared toward an older demographic, profanity must be actively filtered out.

In other cases, you can enable the profanity filter yourself. For example, Facebook and Instagram have profanity filters that you can enable if you want to protect your page from offensive comments.

How to enable a profanity filter on Facebook or Instagram

Many of the platforms we use every day havebuilt-in profanity filters.Facebook and Instagram are good examples. Not to mention, some even offer a degree of customization. Users can add their own words to the filter's deny list.

And for platforms that don't have their own profanity filter, apps like ClearPlay or VidAngel (more on that below) can provide the censorship families need to enjoy online content or social media.

Facebook

Unfortunately, Facebook doesn't have a profanity filter that parents can unblock to protect their kids online from all the profane content on the site.

However, Facebook has a profanity filter for Pages. So if you run a Facebook Page, you can censor the language your followers can use.

Here's how you can turn on the Facebook profanity filter:

Make sure you are active on Facebook as your Page. Usually you can do this by simply opening the page.

1. Click on "Ideas' in the tab on the left.
2. Scroll down to "profanity filter.“
3. 
4. Click on "Edit.“
5. Mark thecheckmark.
6. Press "Save on computer.“

This will enable a profanity filter based on the most reported words fromFacebook-Community. Unfortunately, users cannot customize the list of censored words. And as mentioned, it only works for pages, not person accounts.

Instagram

Instagram profanity filter is more advanced. You can turn it into business or personal accounts, and you canmatch the wordsThey want me to censor

This is a wonderful tool for Instagram users mainly because the platform is more focused. To enable Instagram's profanity filter, you need to do the following:

1. Openyour profile.
2. give clickon the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner.
3. Open "Ideas.” are at the top of the list.
4. Or "privacy.“
5. Click on "hidden words.” This brings up a menu with many options for filtering profanity.

Instagram's default opt-out list is also based on community feedback. But users always canadd your own wordsto that list and hide it from them and their followers.

Instagram enables the basic profanity filter by default. However, users can enable a stricter version or add custom words if they wish.

But there are many providers that don't have a built-in content moderation tool, especially streaming platforms. In this case, third-party apps can provide a familiar user experience.

The five best profanity filters

When it comes to general browsing or streaming, there are several third-party profanity filters that you can use to filter out unwanted speech on the internet. Here are the top 5 options to choose from.

1. Enjoy movies your way

true to his name,Enjoy movies your wayis an app that lets you enjoy family entertainment by filtering out inappropriate content. It is available for a variety of platforms including Android, iOS, Roku, and Amazon Fire devices.

That means it's the best profanity filter for your Android Smart TV or Roku. At the same time, it is compatible with the most popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+ and others.

With this app you can set up one or more profiles where you can control profanity filters for any movie or TV show you want to watch. In addition, it includes many other useful features such as B. Automatic image quality improvement, subtitle translation formore than 100 languages, customizable font, subtitle size and color and much more.

The best part is that the basic version is absoluteBuchalthough it does contain periodic pauses as you watch. The full version is also for just about affordable$6.00 per month.

Overall, it's a great tool if you want to stream content across multiple devices and filter out profanity.

2. VidAngel

VineAngelis another great profanity filter that works on multiple devices including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android, Android TV, Chromecast, and Fire TV. Unfortunately, it is no longer compatible with Roku.

You can connect and use it with all streaming services like Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu and more.

VidAngel can filter out entire categories, e.g. B. Media containing sex, violence or adult language. Or you can target subcategories like graphic violence. Also, you can filter out specific items like specific words or specific scenes.

Unfortunately it is not a free service and it costs$9.99 per monthHowever, the features are worth it if you consume media on supported devices. Although it works on a variety of devices, there isn't a generic app for smart TVs like Samsung or LG.

3. ClearPlay

ClearPlayNameis an advanced profanity filter designed primarily for streaming. The developers have teamed up with streaming platforms like Netflix or Disney+ to create a more robust and comprehensive filtering system.

Although,ClearPlay is not free. Offers a free trial and after that it costs$7.99/month. The difference is that they provide manual censorship for each individual show or movie. Before streaming, ClearPlay users can also choose what they want to filter out of that particular movie.

You can also skip, replace, or mute offensive and profane sections. ClearPlay is compatible with major streaming platforms: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and HBO Max.

However, they don't censor the entire library like they do with every videomanually censored. You can check supported movies and shows on the ClearPlay website. This is ideal for family users. For example, there are special filters for popular titles such asHamiltonÖMulannot Disney+.

4. Advanced profanity filter

Advanced profanity filteris a browser extension that works with Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. It has an outdated interface, but it's completefree to use and fairly reliable. Censor any form of online communication, be it text on Twitter or audio while streaming.

These are some of its features:

• You can choose the filtering method: Redact, Replace or Remove.
• You can view a summary of the filtering process.
• You can add words or phrases to the filter.

The advanced profanity filter also mutes the audio and censors the subtitles of the content you're streaming. This makes it a great choice for enjoying online media with your family. It is also compatible with many online services includingDisney+,Netflix, Amazon Prime, crunch,HD max,peacock, YouTube and more.

However, the Advanced Profanity Filter has some limitations when it comes to streaming: it doesn't index individual media productions, instead it analyzes the subtitles of every show or movie you watch.

Therefore, any profanity in the subtitle will be censored. But if the audio doesn't go well with the subtitles, this plugin can't mute the content at the right time.

5. Clean flow

clean flowis another nifty Chrome extension that filters out profanity and other custom words from Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Disney+, and other popular streaming services.

Analyze subtitles to filter out adult language and other custom words in video content. The minimalist interface makes it very easy to set up and use, making it ideal for almost any user.

Stream Clean is free to use, and while it can skip a few words from time to time, it's still pretty reliable. More importantly, the developer behind the extension is very responsive to feedback.

How to add profanity filters to your Smart TV

As mentioned above, there are two profanity filter apps that work on Android/Google Smart TV:

• Enjoy movies your way
• VineAngel

However, they do not work on generic smart TVs that do not have access to the Google Play Store. Alternatively, you can try the following options to add profanity filters to your TV:

• Check your TV's instruction manual to see if it has built-in profanity filters or parental control options. For example, Samsung TVs have settings that allow you to block programs by rating or lock certain apps with a PIN so kids can't access them.
• If you don't stream content and want a profanity filter for regular cable TV content, give one a tryGuardian TV device. This is hardware that plugs into your TV and mutes any profanity.
• Many streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and HBO Max have built-in parental controls that let you set a PIN to restrict movies and TV shows based on their rating.

The benefits of profanity filters

Profanity filters help you create arespectful, family-friendly and inclusive internet experience. They are not a foolproof protection against discrimination and objectionable content. But they are an integral part of content moderation.

silent oath

StreamIt's an area where filtering out profanity can provide a family-friendly experience. Third-party software can mute audio when profanity appears, darken subtitles, and evenskip entire sectionsThey are not safe for children.

Elimination of profanity from multiplayer games

Multiplayer video games also benefit greatly from profanity filters.Games and ToxicityThey have a very complicated relationship that comes to the foreMultiplayer Interactions.

Profanity filters don't completely solve the problem, but they do help remove some of the negativity. If you want more information on how to keep your kids safe while they play, keep reading our articlesRobloxjMinecraft.

Filtering profanity on social networks

Social platforms are not free from toxicity either. The contrary.cyberakusIt's a troubling problem in the 21st century, and a lot of it is happening on social media. Profanity filters can help mitigate some of thenegative consequences of cyberbullyingand create safer spaces.

Filtering hate comments

Dating sites also use profanity filters. They are extremely important toProtection of disadvantaged minorities, as members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Again, profanity filters aren't the ultimate solution that many think they are. But they are a reliable way to restrict profane content and allow people to enjoy the internet. And they complement other content moderation tools very well.

The limits of profanity filtering

Profanity filters have many benefits, but they also have some limitations. Here are some.

Not always reliable in online communities

Users can bypass filters in online communities. They usually do this with obscene synonyms or alternative spellings.

Online users can still insult their peers with subtle utterances that ignore any list of prohibited words. While offensive language is limited, a simple profanity filter is never the only content moderation tool you should use.

Ineffective against online bullying

A profanity filter will not stop online bullying. Rather, it acts as a barrier between the most egregious forms of abuse and their victims.

More advanced filters that use AI to analyze user interactions will ensure a better user experience in the future. But now they are not available. Businesses still have to rely on traditional content moderation tools.

If you need features other than profanity filtering, you might need oneParental control app. These robust solutions include features like website blocking, social media monitoring, location tracking, and more.

Parental Control Options: Do They Help?

Most modern devices have parental control options like Apple's Screen Time. In addition, you can use third-party providersParental control appsifKaspersky SafeKidsto prevent children from accessing inappropriate content.

At the same time, major streaming services include their own parental controls, which can limit what content younger viewers can access. While all of these controls are effective to some extent, they do not provide a complete solution as they simply block all inappropriate content.

For parents who want to give their kids access to more content but want to limit the graphic or profanity parts, external profanity filters like the ones detailed in this article can be very helpful.

In addition, there are several othersWays to keep kids safe online. If you want to learn more about it, check out ourchildren on the internetSection.

Theodore PorutiusAuthor

technology writer

Theodor is a content writer who is passionate about the latest technological developments and content marketing strategies. He likes privacy software, SEO tools, and when he's not writing he's trying to convince people to uninstall TikTok.

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