Why you might want to block YouTube
You can block YouTube on a single device, across all devices on your home network, or just during certain hours. The method you choose depends on whether you're managing your own device, a child's device, or your entire household internet. Some people block it to reduce distractions while working. Others use it to enforce screen time limits for children.
The easiest approach is usually the one built into your device or router, because it doesn't require installing extra software or remembering passwords. But if you need more control — like blocking YouTube only on one person's laptop while leaving it open on another — you'll need a different method.
Key Takeaways
- Your device's built-in parental controls can block YouTube on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android without installing anything extra.
- Your router's parental controls block YouTube across every device connected to your home Wi-Fi, which is useful if you want one rule for the whole household.
- Browser extensions like BlockSite or Freedom block YouTube only in that specific browser, so they work if you want to block it on your own laptop but not your phone.
- YouTube's Restricted Mode filters out mature content but does not block the site entirely — it is a content filter, not a blocker.
- If you forget a parental control password, you may need to reset your device or contact your router manufacturer, so write it down somewhere safe.
Block YouTube on Windows using parental controls
Windows has a built-in parental control system called Family Safety that works on any Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer. Open Settings, select Accounts, then Family & other people. If you're setting this up for a child's account, add them as a family member first. Once they're added, click their name and turn on Content restrictions.
Under Apps and games, select Block inappropriate apps. Windows will then show you a list of apps and websites. Scroll down to find YouTube and toggle it off. The next time that account logs in, YouTube will not open in any browser. If the person tries to visit YouTube.com directly, they'll see a blocked message instead.
This method only works if the account being blocked is a child account linked to a parent account. If you're trying to block YouTube on your own admin account, Windows parental controls won't work — you'll need a browser extension or router-level blocking instead.
Block YouTube on Mac using Screen Time
Mac's parental control system is called Screen Time. Open System Settings, select Screen Time, then click the lock icon and enter your password. Select the account you want to restrict from the sidebar — if you're setting this up for a child, you may need to add them first under Family Sharing.
Click App Limits, then click the plus sign to add a new limit. Search for Safari or Chrome (whichever browser the person uses), and set a time limit of one minute. This will block the browser after one minute of use, which effectively prevents YouTube access. Alternatively, go to Allowed Apps and uncheck Safari or your browser of choice, which will block it entirely.
A simpler option is to use Content & Privacy Restrictions instead. Turn it on, select Web Content, and choose Limit Adult Websites. Then click Customize and add youtube.com to the Never Allow list. This blocks YouTube specifically while leaving other sites open.
Block YouTube on iPhone or iPad
Apple's parental controls on iPhone and iPad are called Screen Time. Open Settings, select Screen Time, then tap Continue. If you're setting this up for a child's device, select This is My Child's iPhone (or iPad). If it's your own device, select This is My iPhone.
Tap App Limits, then Add Limit. Select Social Networking and Entertainment, or search for YouTube directly. Set the limit to zero minutes. When the time runs out, the app will be blocked and require a Screen Time passcode to open.
For a more complete block, go to Content & Privacy Restrictions, turn it on, select Web Content, and choose Limit Adult Websites. Tap Customize under Never Allow and add youtube.com. You'll need to set a Screen Time passcode so the person can't turn these restrictions off themselves.
Block YouTube on Android
Android's parental control system is called Family Link. Download the Family Link app from Google Play, open it, and tap Set up parental controls. Follow the prompts to add the child's account. Once set up, open the child's profile in Family Link and tap Controls on Google Play.
Scroll down to Apps & games and select Manage all installed apps. Find YouTube and toggle it off. The app will be hidden from the home screen and won't open. If the person tries to download it again, Family Link will block the download.
You can also block YouTube through the browser. In Family Link, tap Controls on Google Play, then Web & App Activity. Turn on Manage sites visited on Chrome, then add youtube.com to the blocked sites list. This blocks YouTube in the Chrome browser even if the app is still installed.
Block YouTube on your home Wi-Fi network
Your router can block YouTube for every device connected to your home network at once. Log into your router's admin panel by opening a browser and typing your router's IP address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You'll find the exact address on a sticker on the router itself or in your router's manual.
Enter your router's username and password. Look for a section called Parental Controls, Content Filtering, or Access Control. The exact name varies by router brand. Select the option to block websites or domains, then add youtube.com to the blocked list. Save your changes.
From that point on, anyone on your Wi-Fi will see an error message when they try to visit YouTube. This works across phones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. However, it does not block YouTube if someone uses mobile data instead of Wi-Fi, and it does not block the YouTube app on devices that have cached the IP address.
If you forget your router's admin password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, but this will erase all your custom settings. Write down your router password somewhere safe before you set up blocking.
Block YouTube using a browser extension
If you only want to block YouTube in one browser on one device, a browser extension is the simplest option. Extensions like BlockSite, Freedom, and LeechBlock work on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Download the extension from your browser's store, open it, and add youtube.com to the blocked sites list.
Most extensions let you set a password so you can't accidentally unblock the site. Some also let you set specific times when YouTube is blocked — for example, blocking it during work hours but allowing it in the evening. The extension only affects that one browser, so if you open a different browser or use your phone, YouTube will still be accessible.
Extensions are useful if you're trying to manage your own distractions rather than control someone else's access. However, they're easy to disable if you know the password, so they're not a strong solution for parental control.
Understand YouTube's Restricted Mode
YouTube has a built-in filter called Restricted Mode that hides videos marked as mature content. This is not the same as blocking YouTube — the site still works, but certain videos won't show up in search results or recommendations. To turn it on, scroll to the bottom of any YouTube page, click Restricted Mode, and toggle it on.
Restricted Mode is useful if you want to filter out adult content but still allow access to YouTube. However, it's not foolproof — some mature videos slip through, and it's easy to turn off if you know where the setting is. It's better used as a supplement to other blocking methods rather than as the only control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone unblock YouTube if I set up parental controls?
It depends on the method. If you set a strong password on your device's parental controls or router, they cannot unblock it without that password. Browser extensions are easier to disable if someone knows the password. If you're concerned about someone bypassing the block, use your device's built-in controls rather than an extension, and use a password you don't share.
Will blocking YouTube on my Wi-Fi block it on mobile data too?
No. Router-level blocking only affects devices connected to your Wi-Fi. If someone switches to mobile data, they can still access YouTube. To block YouTube on mobile data, you need to use the device's built-in parental controls or a mobile app blocker.
What if I forget my parental control password?
On Windows and Mac, you can reset your password using your Microsoft or Apple account. On iPhone and iPad, you'll need to use your Apple ID to reset Screen Time. On Android, you can reset Family Link through your Google account. For your router, you may need to perform a factory reset, which erases all settings.
Does blocking YouTube block the app and the website?
Device-level blocking usually blocks both the app and the website. Router-level blocking blocks the website but not the app, because the app connects directly to YouTube's servers rather than going through your router's content filter. To block the app, use your device's parental controls instead.
Can I block YouTube only during certain hours?
Yes, if you use your device's Screen Time or parental controls, you can set app limits that block YouTube after a certain number of minutes per day. Some router parental controls also let you set time-based rules. Browser extensions like Freedom let you schedule blocking for specific times. Router-level blocking is usually always-on unless you manually turn it off.