Safe Surfer is a New Zealand internet filtering platform that helps families block pornography, adult sites, and other harmful categories across household devices.^1 It runs on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, through browser extensions or router DNS, and on the company's Lifeguard router, following a device on Wi-Fi or cellular data.^2 Parents can set internet bedtimes, review browsing history, and receive email alerts from a remote dashboard.^2 A Pro subscription adds screen monitoring so an accountability partner can be notified when sexual or violent content appears.^3
Rory Birkbeck and Aaron Sinclair launched the service in 2016.^5 The about page records filtering on hundreds of thousands of devices in more than 120 countries and a 2018 New Zealand Charities Technology Awards innovator win.^6 Both apps are free with a subscription option; iOS lists 60+ extra blocking categories, and Android includes machine-learning screen blackout.^3 In 2024 Safe Surfer announced an exclusive Samsung New Zealand partnership for kid-safe phones and tablets.^7 Surfguard Africa is the official African partner in Lagos.^8 A Bay of Plenty Times profile describes CEO Rory Birkbeck as a dedicated Christian.^5 In 2025 Samsung and Safe Surfer created The Worst Children's Library, an exhibit of more than 1,000 books representing the online harms children report seeing, first shown at a school library and later at New Zealand's Parliament.^9 Pro is a subscription; current plans are listed on the pricing page.^11
