YouTube Parental Settings: Block Channels and Manage Search

Every parent knows the feeling: you hand your kid a tablet, walk away for five minutes, and come back to find them watching a video of someone smashing a cake into a dog’s face-again. YouTube is full of harmless content, but it’s also packed with stuff no child should see. The good news? You don’t need to ban YouTube. You just need to set it up right.

Turn on Restricted Mode

Restricted Mode is YouTube’s built-in filter. It doesn’t catch everything, but it blocks most of the worst stuff-videos with explicit language, adult themes, or violent content. It’s not magic, but it’s the first line of defense.

To turn it on, open YouTube on any device your child uses. Click their profile picture in the top-right corner. Scroll down and toggle on Restricted Mode. You’ll need to do this on every browser, phone, or tablet they use. If they’re on a shared device, make sure you’re logged into your own account when you turn it on. Otherwise, it won’t stick.

Restricted Mode works by hiding videos flagged by users or YouTube’s algorithms as potentially inappropriate. It’s not perfect. Some harmless videos get caught in the filter. Some bad ones slip through. But for most families, it cuts down the junk by 80% or more.

Block Specific Channels

Not all bad content is obvious. Some channels slip through Restricted Mode because they use cartoon characters, bright colors, or cute animals to hide disturbing messages. Think: "Cocomelon"-style channels that feature characters doing dangerous stunts or saying things like "I’m gonna eat you!"

To block a channel, go to any video from that channel. Below the video, click the channel name. On the channel page, click the three dots next to "Subscribe." Choose Block. A pop-up will ask if you’re sure. Click Block again.

Once blocked, that channel won’t show up in search results, recommendations, or playlists. Your child won’t see it unless they type the exact channel name into the search bar-and even then, YouTube will warn them it’s blocked.

Block one channel, then check their watch history. If you see another suspicious channel, block that one too. Repeat this every few weeks. Kids bounce between channels fast, and new ones pop up all the time.

Manage Search with Keyword Filters

YouTube’s search bar is a minefield. Type "cartoon cars" and you might get a video of a toy car crashing into a wall. Type "dinosaur" and you could get a clip of a kid screaming while a robot T-Rex chases them. You can’t block every search term, but you can control what comes up.

Go to YouTube Account Settings (you’ll need to be signed in as an adult). Click Privacy, then Search History. Turn off Save search activity. This stops YouTube from learning what your child searches for and recommending similar videos.

For tighter control, use YouTube Kids. It’s a separate app designed for children under 13. It has curated content, no ads, and lets you set time limits. You can also approve or block individual videos and channels directly from the app. It’s not perfect-but it’s way safer than the main YouTube app.

Use Google Family Link

If you want real control, use Google Family Link. It’s free. It works on Android and iOS. And it lets you do things YouTube’s own tools can’t.

With Family Link, you can:

• Set daily screen time limits for YouTube
• Block YouTube entirely during bedtime or homework hours
• See exactly what videos your child watched today
• Approve or block new apps before they’re installed
• Remotely lock their device if they’re watching something you don’t like

To set it up, download Family Link on your phone. Create a child account if you haven’t already. Link their device. Then go to Apps & Activities > YouTube. Turn on Approved Apps Only and select YouTube Kids. You can also block the main YouTube app entirely if you prefer.

Family Link doesn’t just block content-it gives you insight. You’ll know if your child watched 17 videos about "monster trucks eating houses" in one sitting. You’ll know if they searched "how to make a bomb" (yes, that’s a real search term kids type). And you can respond before it becomes a problem.

Teach Them to Say No

No filter is foolproof. Kids are smart. They’ll find ways around restrictions if they’re determined. That’s why the best tool isn’t a setting-it’s a conversation.

Ask them: "What’s something you saw on YouTube that made you feel weird?" Don’t judge. Listen. If they say, "I saw a guy pretending to be a dinosaur and he yelled," don’t panic. Say, "That sounds scary. You did the right thing by telling me. Next time, just tap the back button and find something else. You don’t have to watch anything that makes you uncomfortable."

Teach them to report videos. Tap the three dots under any video. Choose Report. Then pick It’s inappropriate. YouTube removes thousands of videos every week because kids reported them.

Make it a habit. Every time they watch something, ask: "Did you like it? Would you show it to your teacher?" If the answer is no, it’s probably not safe.

What Works and What Doesn’t

Here’s what actually helps:

• Restricted Mode + blocked channels + Family Link = 95% safer
• YouTube Kids app = better for kids under 10
• Regular check-ins = builds trust

Here’s what doesn’t:

• Just turning on Restricted Mode and forgetting about it
• Using third-party apps that claim to "block all bad YouTube videos" (they don’t)
• Shouting at kids for watching "bad" stuff (they’ll just hide it)

YouTube isn’t going away. But you don’t have to fear it. You just need to use the tools that are already there-and use them together.

Quick Checklist for Parents

• ✅ Turn on Restricted Mode on every device your child uses
• ✅ Block 3-5 suspicious channels you’ve seen in watch history
• ✅ Install YouTube Kids and disable the main YouTube app
• ✅ Set up Google Family Link to monitor usage and set limits
• ✅ Talk to your child once a week about what they watched
• ✅ Check their search history every two weeks

Do this once a month, and you’ll spend less time worrying and more time watching cat videos together-safely.