The fastest way to block YouTube on Chrome
The simplest method is to use Chrome's built-in parental controls through Family Link, which lets you block YouTube entirely on a managed device. If you do not want to set up Family Link, you can use a free browser extension like BlockSite or LeechBlock NG to restrict access to YouTube's web address. A third option is to change your router settings to block YouTube at the network level, which affects all devices on your Wi-Fi — this works even if someone tries to use a different browser.
Each method has a trade-off: Family Link is the hardest to bypass but requires setting up a managed account; extensions are quick to install but can be disabled by someone with device access; router blocking is the most difficult to work around but affects everyone on your network, including guests.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome's Family Link lets you block YouTube on a managed device and prevent the person from turning it off without your password.
- Browser extensions like BlockSite or LeechBlock NG block YouTube immediately but can be uninstalled by someone with admin access to the computer.
- Router-level blocking prevents YouTube access across all browsers and devices on your Wi-Fi network.
- YouTube's mobile app cannot be blocked through Chrome settings — you need Family Link or your phone's built-in parental controls to restrict the app itself.
Using Chrome Family Link to block YouTube
Family Link is Google's parental control system built into Chrome. To set it up, you create a Google account for the person whose access you want to control, then link it to your own account as the supervisor. Once linked, you can block specific websites including YouTube from the Family Link app or website.
Go to families.google.com, sign in with your own Google account, and select "Create a supervised account" or "Add a child." You will create a new Google account with an email address you control. On the device where you want to block YouTube, sign in with this new supervised account. Then open the Family Link app on your own device, go to the supervised account's settings, select "Apps & sites," and toggle YouTube to blocked.
The person using the supervised account cannot turn off these blocks without your Family Link password. This is the most secure option if you are the device owner and want to prevent someone from re-enabling YouTube access.
Blocking YouTube with a browser extension
BlockSite and LeechBlock NG are free extensions that block websites you choose. To install BlockSite, go to the Chrome Web Store, search for "BlockSite," and click "Add to Chrome." Once installed, click the BlockSite icon in your toolbar, select "Manage," and add "youtube.com" to your blocked list.
LeechBlock NG works similarly: install it from the Chrome Web Store, click its icon, go to "Block Set 1," and type "youtube.com" into the blocked sites field. You can set it to block YouTube during certain hours or all day. Both extensions let you set a password so the blocks cannot be removed without it.
The downside is that someone with access to the computer can uninstall the extension if they know how to do it, or they can use a different browser like Firefox or Edge where the extension does not exist. Extensions work best when you want a quick block and the person using the device is not actively trying to circumvent it.
Blocking YouTube at the router level
Your router controls which websites every device on your Wi-Fi can reach. Blocking YouTube here means it will not work on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or any other browser, and it will not work on phones or tablets connected to your network either.
Log into your router's admin panel by typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into Chrome's address bar. You will need your router's admin password, which is often printed on the router itself or in the manual. Look for a section called "Parental Controls," "Access Control," "Website Filtering," or "Content Filtering" — the exact name varies by router brand.
Add "youtube.com" and "m.youtube.com" to the blocked sites list. Some routers also let you block by IP address, which is more difficult to bypass. Save your changes. From that point on, anyone trying to visit YouTube on your network will see a blocked message instead of the site.
Router blocking is the hardest to work around because it happens before the browser even loads the page. The main limitation is that it affects everyone on your Wi-Fi, including guests, and it requires you to remember your router's admin password to make changes.
Blocking the YouTube app on phones and tablets
Chrome browser blocking does not affect the YouTube app on Android or iOS. If you want to block the app itself, use your phone's built-in parental controls instead.
On Android, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls > Parental controls, set up a PIN, and toggle YouTube to blocked. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, set a Screen Time passcode, go to Allowed Apps, and toggle YouTube off. You can also use Family Link on Android phones to block the YouTube app the same way you would on Chrome.
What happens when YouTube is blocked
When someone tries to visit YouTube on a blocked device or network, they see an error message instead of the site. The exact message depends on how you blocked it: a Family Link block shows "This site is blocked"; a browser extension typically shows the extension's own message; a router block usually shows "Access Denied" or a similar message from your router.
Blocked users cannot bypass the block by typing a different YouTube web address like "youtube.com" versus "www.youtube.com" — most blocking methods catch all variations. However, they may be able to use a VPN (a tool that masks their location) to bypass router-level blocks, though Family Link and browser extensions with passwords are much harder to work around.
Comparing the three methods
| Method | Setup time | Blocks on all browsers | Blocks the YouTube app | Hardest to bypass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Link | 10–15 minutes | Yes | Yes (on Android) | Yes |
| Browser extension | 2–3 minutes | No (Chrome only) | No | No |
| Router blocking | 5–10 minutes | Yes | Yes | Moderate (VPN can bypass) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone unblock YouTube if I use Family Link?
No, not without your Family Link password. Family Link is designed so that the supervised account holder cannot change parental control settings. If you forget your password, you can reset it through your Google account, but the person using the supervised account cannot do this themselves.
Will blocking YouTube on my router affect my own internet speed?
No. Router-level blocking does not slow down your internet. It simply prevents certain web addresses from loading, similar to how a bouncer checks a list at a door.
Can I block YouTube only during certain hours?
Yes. LeechBlock NG lets you set specific times when YouTube is blocked. Family Link also has a "Bedtime" feature that blocks all internet access during hours you choose. Router controls vary by brand — some allow time-based blocking, others do not.
What if someone uses a VPN to bypass the block?
A VPN masks a user's location and can bypass router-level blocks. Family Link and browser extensions with passwords are much harder to bypass with a VPN because they work on the device itself, not at the network level. If VPN bypass is a concern, Family Link is your strongest option.
Does blocking YouTube on Chrome also block it on Edge or Firefox?
No. Browser extension blocks only work in Chrome. Family Link blocks work across all browsers on a managed device. Router blocking works across all browsers and all devices on your network.