How to Block YouTube on Various Devices – The Complete Parental Guide

Managing your family’s online experiences often means limiting access to certain platforms. YouTube’s content access can be effectively blocked on various devices using built-in parental controls, third-party apps, or browser restrictions. Whether you’re concerned about inappropriate content or simply want to limit screen time, there are multiple approaches available for every type of device.

Parents and educators have numerous options to restrict YouTube across platforms including iPads, iPhones, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices. On Apple devices, Screen Time settings allow you to block the YouTube app entirely or set specific time limits. For browsers like Safari and Chrome, content filtering tools can prevent YouTube from loading, while smart TVs and streaming devices often include parental control features in their system settings.

Understanding how to implement these restrictions properly ensures a safer digital environment for children. Different approaches work better for different devices, so it’s important to explore the specific options available for your technology. Many solutions also allow you to customize restrictions based on age appropriateness rather than implementing a complete block.

Blocking YouTube On Different Devices

Here’s a guide on how to block YouTube across various devices and platforms:

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✅ How to Block YouTube on iPad & iPhone

1. Using Screen Time:
   • Go to Settings > Screen Time > Turn On Screen Time (if not enabled).
   • Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions > Enable Restrictions.
   • Select Content Restrictions > Apps > Set to 12+ or lower to block YouTube.
2. Using Safari Restrictions:
   • In Content Restrictions, go to Web Content > Select Limit Adult Websites.
   • Under Never Allow, add www.youtube.com.

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✅ How to Block YouTube on Safari (Mac & iPad)

1. On Mac:
   • Go to System Preferences > Screen Time.
   • Select Content & Privacy > Web Content.
   • Set it to Limit Adult Websites > add www.youtube.com under restricted sites.
2. On iPad (via Screen Time):
   • Follow the same steps as on the iPhone to block YouTube using Content Restrictions.

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✅ How to Block YouTube on TV (Smart TVs)

1. Using Router Settings:
   • Access your router settings via the browser (usually 192.168.1.1).
   • Go to Parental Controls or Access Restrictions.
   • Block www.youtube.com for specific devices (your TV’s IP).
2. On Smart TVs:
   • Some TVs allow app restrictions under Parental Controls. Disable or restrict the YouTube app directly.

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✅ How to Block YouTube on Chrome

1. Using Extensions:
   • Install extensions like BlockSite or StayFocusd.
   • Add www.youtube.com to the blocked list.
2. Through SafeSearch & Supervised Accounts:
   • Use Google Family Link to manage and block apps like YouTube.

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✅ How to Block YouTube on Roku & Roku TV

1. Remove the YouTube App:
   • Press the Home button > Highlight YouTube.
   • Press *** (star button)** > Select Remove Channel.
2. Use Parental Controls:
   • Roku lacks built-in app-specific blocking but you can create a PIN under Settings > Parental Controls to prevent reinstallation.

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✅ How to Block YouTube on Chromebook

1. Use Google Family Link:
   • Set up the Chromebook under a child account.
   • Go to Family Link App > Manage Settings > Controls on Google Chrome.
   • Block specific sites like www.youtube.com.
2. Chrome Extensions:
   • Use blockers like BlockSite to restrict access.

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✅ How to Block YouTube on Computer (Windows/Mac)

1. Editing the Hosts File:
   • Windows: Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
   • Mac: Use Terminal, type sudo nano /etc/hosts.
   • Add 127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com at the bottom and save.
2. Browser Extensions:
   • Use extensions like BlockSite for Chrome or LeechBlock for Firefox.

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✅ How to Block YouTube on Fire Tablet & Amazon Fire Kids

1. Fire Tablet:
   • Go to Settings > Parental Controls > Enable and set a PIN.
   • Block the YouTube app and the browser if needed.
2. Amazon Kids:
   • In Amazon Parent Dashboard, select the child’s profile.
   • Under Manage Content & Restrictions, block YouTube or restrict web access entirely.

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✅ How to Block YouTube on Samsung TV

1. Parental Controls:
   • Navigate to Settings > General > System Manager > Parental Controls.
   • Use the PIN to restrict YouTube or block internet access.
2. Router-Level Blocking:
   • Use your router’s parental controls to block YouTube on the TV.

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✅ How to Block YouTube on Android Phone

1. Using Family Link:
   • Download Google Family Link.
   • Set up your child’s account and block the YouTube app directly.
2. App Blockers:
   • Install apps like BlockSite or Freedom to block YouTube.

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✅ How to Block YouTube on Vizio Smart TV

1. Using Parental Controls:
   • Press the Menu button on your Vizio remote.
   • Navigate to Parental Controls or System > Parental Controls.
   • Set a PIN if not already set.
   • Select App Lock (if available) and block the YouTube app.
2. Remove or Block the YouTube App:
   • Press the V or Home button on your remote.
   • Highlight the YouTube app, press OK.
   • Select Delete App or Remove App (if the option exists).
3. Router-Level Blocking:
   • Log in to your router’s admin panel (usually via 192.168.1.1).
   • Go to Parental Controls or Access Restrictions.
   • Block www.youtube.com or its IP addresses for your Vizio TV.
4. Using Vizio SmartCast:
   • If using Vizio SmartCast, manage app access through the SmartCast mobile app.
   • Use your phone’s parental controls or app blockers to restrict YouTube casting to the TV.

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With these steps, you can effectively block YouTube across multiple devices, giving you control over content access.

Key Takeaways

• Most devices offer built-in parental controls to block YouTube through settings, time limits, or content restrictions.
• Browser-based blocking can prevent YouTube access across multiple devices using content filters or extensions.
• Creating a comprehensive digital safety plan may require combining device-specific restrictions with family discussions about responsible internet use.

Setting Up Parental Controls across Devices

Managing YouTube access requires understanding the specific parental control options available on different devices. Each platform offers unique settings that help protect children from inappropriate content while allowing age-appropriate viewing experiences.

iOS Devices: iPhone and iPad

Screen Time is Apple’s built-in solution for managing content access on iOS devices. To block YouTube on iPhone or iPad:

1. Open Settings and tap on Screen Time
2. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions
3. Enable restrictions by toggling the switch
4. Create a strong Screen Time passcode

For specific YouTube restrictions, parents can:

• Go to Allowed Apps under Content Restrictions
• Toggle off access to the YouTube app
• Under Web Content, select Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only

Parents can also use Family Sharing to manage these settings remotely. This feature allows monitoring of screen time and app usage across multiple devices.

The YouTube Kids app offers an alternative with built-in content filters. It provides age-appropriate content and allows parents to approve videos and channels.

Computers: Safari and Chrome

Browser-based restrictions provide another layer of YouTube control. For Safari users:

1. Open System Preferences (macOS) or Settings (Windows)
2. Select Screen Time or Parental Controls
3. Choose Content & Privacy
4. Add youtube.com to the restricted websites list

Chrome offers similar options through its built-in content settings:

• Click the three dots in the upper right corner
• Select Settings > Privacy and security
• Choose Site Settings > Additional content settings
• Add YouTube to blocked sites

Browser extensions like BlockSite or StayFocusd can also restrict YouTube access. These tools allow scheduling of when YouTube can be accessed, helpful for study times.

Android Devices

Android provides several options for YouTube restrictions through Google’s Family Link app and built-in controls:

1. Install Family Link from the Play Store
2. Link your account to your child’s device
3. Select App activity > YouTube
4. Choose content settings or block completely

Digital Wellbeing features allow setting time limits for YouTube usage:

• Open Settings > Digital Wellbeing
• Tap Dashboard > YouTube
• Set daily time limits or schedule downtime

For YouTube itself, restricted mode can be enabled by:

• Opening the YouTube app
• Tapping your profile picture
• Selecting Settings > General
• Turning on Restricted Mode

Younger children benefit from the YouTube Kids app, which provides a safer environment with age-appropriate content filters.

Device-Specific Restrictions

Different devices require unique approaches to block YouTube. Smart TVs, streaming devices, and Amazon products each have their own restriction methods that parents can implement to control what content children can access.

Smart TVs and Streaming Devices

Samsung TVs offer built-in parental controls through the Settings menu. Users can navigate to Settings > General > Parental Controls and set a PIN code to restrict YouTube and other apps. Many Samsung models also allow content filtering by rating.

Roku devices provide several options for blocking YouTube. Parents can remove the YouTube channel from their Roku homepage by highlighting the app, pressing the asterisk (*) button, and selecting “Remove channel.” For more comprehensive control, they can set up a PIN in Settings > Parental Controls.

Roku TV owners can also create a PIN-protected “Guest Mode” that limits which apps are accessible. This prevents children from downloading or accessing YouTube without supervision.

Amazon and Kids’ Devices

Amazon Fire Tablets offer robust parental controls through Amazon Kids (formerly FreeTime). Parents can create child profiles with specific content restrictions by going to Settings > Parental Controls. Within these profiles, YouTube can be blocked completely.

The Amazon Kids+ subscription provides a walled garden of kid-friendly content without YouTube access. Parents can manage all restrictions through the Parent Dashboard on their own devices.

Fire Tablets also allow time limits to be set for specific apps and content types. Parents can define “educational goals” that must be met before entertainment apps become available. Website filtering can be enabled to block YouTube.com access through the tablet’s web browser.

For Amazon Kids devices, YouTube is already restricted by default, creating a safer browsing environment without additional configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Managing YouTube access across devices helps parents maintain control over what children can view online. These solutions range from built-in settings to specialized apps designed for specific platforms.

What are the steps to block YouTube on an iPad for parental control?

To block YouTube on an iPad, open the Settings app from the home screen.

Tap on Screen Time and enable it if not already active. Then select Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle it on.

Under Allowed Apps, turn off YouTube to prevent access to the app. To block the YouTube website in Safari, go to Content Restrictions > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites and add “youtube.com” to the Never Allow list.

How can I prevent access to YouTube on an iPhone using built-in settings?

iPhone users can block YouTube using the built-in Screen Time feature. Open Settings and tap Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Enable restrictions by toggling the switch, then tap Allowed Apps and disable YouTube. This removes the app from the home screen.

For blocking YouTube in Safari, go to Content Restrictions > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites and add “youtube.com” to the restricted sites list.

Can I disable YouTube on a Chrome browser for child safety, and if so, how?

Yes, YouTube can be blocked on Chrome through several methods. One approach is to install a content-filtering extension like BlockSite or StayFocusd from the Chrome Web Store.

For more comprehensive control, set up Chrome’s Supervised Users feature. This allows parents to monitor browsing history and block specific sites including YouTube.

Google Family Link also provides options to restrict YouTube access when children use Chrome on computers or Chromebooks.

What methods are available to block YouTube content on a Samsung Smart TV?

Samsung Smart TVs offer parental controls through the TV settings menu. Navigate to Settings > General > Parental Controls and set up a PIN.

Once the PIN is created, you can restrict access to the YouTube app by going to Apps and selecting the lock option for YouTube.

Some Samsung TVs also support content filtering through Samsung’s SmartThings app, which allows remote management of app restrictions.

Is it possible to restrict YouTube access on Android devices, and what are the procedures?

Android devices offer multiple ways to restrict YouTube access. Using Google Family Link, parents can control which apps children can use, including YouTube.

To set up restrictions, install Family Link on both the parent and child devices. Then link the accounts and set app restrictions that include YouTube.

Alternatively, open the Google Play Store, tap the profile icon, select Settings > Family > Parental controls, create a PIN, and then restrict YouTube.

How do I configure parental controls to block YouTube on a Roku TV?

Roku TVs include a built-in parental control system. Start by going to Settings > Parental Controls and create a PIN.

After setting up the PIN, you can block the YouTube channel by selecting “Channel Store” and choosing which channels to hide or restrict.

For additional control, configure a PIN requirement for adding new channels, preventing children from downloading YouTube if it has been removed.