AdBlock Plus – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

AdBlock Plus

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2015

35%

WISE Score

4.4

App Store

The ad-blocker that lived long enough to start acting like the ads it was supposed to kill.

AdBlock Plus

app

Everyone, 2015

35%

WISE Score

4.4

App Store

The ad-blocker that lived long enough to start acting like the ads it was supposed to kill.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

AdBlock Plus used to be the gold standard, but in 2026, it's feeling a bit bloated and hypocritical. It blocks ads, sure, but then it pesters you with its own 'pro' prompts and lets certain companies pay to bypass the filters.

For parents, the 'safety' features are actually the biggest risks. A browser that comes with its own VPN and a secret, password-protected folder is basically a toolkit for bypassing parental supervision. If you just want to block ads on a kid's phone, there are much simpler ways to do it without handing them a cloaking device.

Age Fit

Technically for anyone, but realistically, this is a tool for adults or older teens who understand privacy. For younger kids, the ability to hide browsing history behind a password is a major red flag.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's a utility tool, not a piece of content. While it cleans up the 'noise' of the internet, the developers have recently started using the very tactics they claim to block, like annoying internal pop-ups and 'Acceptable Ads' whitelisting that feels a bit pay-to-play.

Imaginative

There is zero creative or imaginative value here. it is a functional browser shell designed to strip code from websites.

Safe

From a parental perspective, this app is a bit of a headache. The built-in VPN can bypass home network filters, and the 'Private Bookmarks' folder with password protection is a direct way for kids to hide content from parents. The 'Video Downloader' also frequently points users toward sketchy, copyright-infringing territory.

Enriching

It saves mobile data and battery life by not loading heavy ads. Beyond that technical efficiency, it offers no cognitive or educational growth.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Actually does a decent job of stripping out those intrusive 'buy this now' banners on news sites.
Saves a noticeable amount of mobile data if you're on a tight monthly plan.
Makes the mobile web feel less like a cluttered junk drawer and more like an actual library.

⚠

What to Watch For

The 'Private Bookmarks' folder is a secret vault for whatever a kid doesn't want you to see.
The built-in VPN is basically a 'get out of jail free' card for any website filters you've set up at home.
Recent updates have turned the app itself into a bit of a nag, with pop-ups asking for upgrades or ratings.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you feel like you need a browser that hides your history with a password?"
"Do you notice how some ads still get through? That's because companies pay this app to be 'on the list.' Does that feel fair?"
"If we're using a VPN, do you understand that it's changing how our internet 'tunnel' works?"

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