YouTube has become an integral part of digital life, but for parents it is a source of constant worry. According to statistics Google Play Console, children aged 5-12 years spend an average amount of time in the app 1.5 hours daily —and this content is not always safe. Recommendation algorithms can show a child videos with violence, obscene language or dangerous challenges, even if he initially watched harmless cartoons.

The problem is aggravated by the fact that the standard settings Android do not provide a direct function for blocking individual applications. However, there are several workarounds, from built-in parental control tools to specialized apps. In this article we will analyze 7 working methodsincluding the hidden capabilities of the system, which not all users know. Important: some methods require administrator rights or commands, so be prepared for technical nuances. ADB-commands, so be prepared for technical nuances.

1. Built-in parental controls in YouTube Kids

The most obvious, but often underestimated way is to use the official application YouTube Kids. It is designed specifically for children and has several levels of protection:

  • 🔒 Exit password — the child will not be able to leave the application without entering a PIN code.
  • ⏱️ Use timer —time limit (from 5 to 60 minutes).
  • 📱 Search blocking — disables the ability to search for videos by request.
  • 👁️ Manual moderation —parents can block specific channels or videos.

To configure:

  1. Install YouTube Kids from Google Play.
  2. When you first start, select the mode "For parents".
  3. Create a child profile indicating age (this affects recommendations).
  4. In the menu "Settings" → "Password" set a 4-digit PIN.
⚠️ Attention: Children over 8 years old often find workarounds by resetting the application settings. Regularly check your browsing history in the "Activity".
📊 Which blocking method have you tried?
Built-in parental controls
Third-party applications
Android Settings
Have not tried anything

2. Blocking through Android settings (Digital Wellbeing)

Starting from Android 9 Pie, the system has a built-in tool Digital Wellbeing (Digital Wellbeing) that allows you to restrict access to applications. This method does not completely remove YouTube, but makes it inaccessible without a password.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls.
  2. Select "Parental control control panel" (you may need to download addition from Play Market).
  3. Click "Manage applications" → find YouTube in the list.
  4. Activate the option "Lock" and set a password.
Android version Digital Wellbeing support Is additional software required
Android 9-10 Partial (without) timer) Yes
Android 11-12 Full No
Android 13+ Full + advanced reports No

Critical feature: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei) the Digital Wellbeing function can be replaced by proprietary analogues. In this case, look for the "Parental Controls" section in the main settings.

Update Android to the latest version|Back up your data|Remember your lock password|Check for YouTube in the list of applications-->

3. Using third-party launchers with parental controls

If standard Android tools seem insufficient, you can install an alternative launcher (desktop shell) with built-in locking features. Popular. options:

  • 🛡️ Kids Place — creates a “sandbox” with allowed applications, blocks exit without a PIN code.
  • 🔐 Norton Family — allows you to block individual applications and sites, keeps an activity log.
  • 📱 Google Family Link — official solution from Google for remote control of a child’s device.

Setting example Kids Place:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.
  2. Run and create an administrator PIN.
  3. In the "Applications" section, uncheck the box c YouTube.
  4. Activate the "Home button lock" mode (the child will not be able to exit through the button Home).
⚠️ Attention: Some launchers (for example, Norton Family) require a subscription. Before installation, check the tariffs c Google Play —the cost can reach 300-500 rubles per month.
What to do if a child reset the launcher?

If the child was able to delete or disable the launcher, this means that it has access to Android settings. In this case:

1. Set a password for the “Settings” section (some firmware has this option).

2. Use ADB-commands to block access to the settings (instructions in section 5). data-i="127">3. Consider creating a separate user profile on the device (section 4).

3. Consider creating a separate user profile on the device (Section 4).

4. Creating a limited user profile

On devices with Android 4.3+ you can create a separate user profile with limited rights. This will completely hide YouTube etc. unwanted applications.

How to set it up:

  1. Open Settings → System → Advanced → Multi-user mode.
  2. Click "Add user" → "Restricted profile".
  3. Turn on the switches only for allowed applications (for example, YouTube Kids or educational apps).
  4. Return to the lock screen and select the created profile.

Benefits method:

  • 🔄 Complete isolation - the child will not see the main profile with YouTube.
  • 📱 There is no risk of accidentally removing the lock (unlike launchers).
  • 🔧 Flexible settings - you can limit access to games, purchases, etc.
💡

If your device does not support multi-user mode (for example, some models Samsung), try using the application Island from Google Play. It creates a "sandbox" based on the technology Work Profile and works even on older versions. Android.

5. Blocking via ADB commands (for advanced users)

This method is suitable for technically savvy users and allows to completely hide YouTube from the system, including the ability to launch it through search or third-party launchers. You will need a computer and. debug bridge Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Enable "Developer mode" on your phone: Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times).
  2. Activate "USB debugging" in the developer menu.
  3. Connect the phone to the PC and perform command: 
    adb shell pm hide com.google.android.youtube
  4. To unlock, use: 
    adb shell pm unhide com.google.android.youtube

Method limitations:

  • ⚠️ Requires rights root or an unlocked bootloader on some devices.
  • 🔄 After After resetting the settings, the lock is removed.
  • 📱 Does not work on devices with MIUI (Xiaomi) without additional manipulations.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of ADB-commands can lead to system failures. Before experiments, create a backup copy of your data. via adb backup or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup.
💡

ADB commands are the most reliable method of blocking, but it requires technical skills. If you are not sure of your actions, use simpler methods from the previous sections.

6. Blocking via firewall or DNS

If you need to block not only the application, but also access to the site youtube.com via a browser, you can use a firewall or change the settings DNS. This is relevant for children who are trying to bypass the blocking through Chrome or Firefox.

Method 1: Firewall application (for example, NetGuard)

  1. Install NetGuard from Google Play.
  2. Enable traffic filtering for YouTube.
  3. Add a blocking rule for domains .youtube.com and .googlevideo.com.

Method 2: Changing DNS at the router level

Some DNS servers (for example, OpenDNS FamilyShield) automatically block access to "adult" content, including YouTube. To configure:

  1. Go to the router control panel (usually at 192.168.1.1).
  2. Find the section DNS or Network.
  3. Specify addresses: 208.67.222.123 i 208.67.220.123 (OpenDNS).
  4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

Disadvantages of the DNS method:

  • 🌍 The blocking applies to all devices on the network, including yours.
  • 🔄 Some videos on YouTube may remain available (for example, built-in players on websites).

7. Removing YouTube through uninstallation (only for root)

If your device has root-rights, you can completely remove it YouTube as a system application. This is a radical solution that is suitable for old phones or tablets where the child is the main user.

Instructions:

  1. Install a file manager with support root (for example, Root Explorer).
  2. Go to folder /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
  3. Find files with names:
    • YouTube.apk
    • com.google.android.youtube-1.apk
    • YouTubeStub.apk (on some devices)
  • Delete the files or rename them (for example, to YouTube.apk.bak).
  • Reboot the device.
    • ⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications may lead to unstable operation of the device (for example, Samsung Knox) this will trigger the flag KNOX 0x1, which will void the warranty.

    Alternative option for devices without root —disabling YouTube via ADB:

    adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtube

    This command does not completely remove the application, but makes it unavailable to the current user.

    Comparative table of blocking methods

    Method Difficulty Reliability Requires root/ADB Cost
    YouTube Kids ⭐ ⭐⭐ No Free
    Digital Wellbeing ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ No Free
    Third-party launchers ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ No 0–500 rub/month
    Limited profile ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ No Free
    ADB commands ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Yes Free
    Firewall/DNS ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ No Free
    Removal (root) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Yes Free

    Frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to block YouTube only for a certain time (for example, at night)?

    Yes, these are suitable for this:

    • 🕒 Digital Wellbeing — allows you to set usage timers.
    • 📱 Google Family Link —you can set a blocking schedule.
    • ⏰ Third-party applications like AppBlock or StayFocusd.

    For example, in Family Link you can specify the interval from 21:00 7:00when YouTube will be unavailable.

    The child bypasses the blocking via VPN. What to do?

    VPN allows you to bypass DNS blocking and some firewalls Solutions:

    • 🔌 Block VPN installation via Digital Wellbeing or launcher.
    • 📵 Disable mobile data on the device (leaving only Wi-Fi with blocked YouTube).
    • 🛡️ Use ADB to remove all VPN applications: 
      adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.vpndialogs

    If your child installs a VPN via APK files, consider creating a a separate user profile without rights to install applications.

    How to block YouTube on a tablet without Google Play?

    On devices without Google services (for example, on some Chinese tablets) standard methods may not work. Alternatives:

    1. Deleting via Recovery: If you have custom recovery (TWRP), you can manually delete YouTube files from /system.
    2. Blocking via host file: Add to /etc/hosts line: 
      127.0.0.1 youtube.com www.youtube.com m.youtube.com

      This will redirect all requests to YouTube to a local address.

    3. Using alternative launchers: Applications like Kids Place work without Google Play (you need to download the APK from the official site).
    Will the child see notifications from YouTube after blocking?

    It depends on the method:

    • ✅ Digital Wellbeing and launchers block notifications.
    • ❌ ADB commands i DNS —notifications may arrive, but when pressed nothing will open.
    • ⚠️ Limited profile —notifications do not arrive, but if the child returns to the main profile, they will appear.

    To completely turn off notifications, go to Settings → Applications → YouTube → Notifications and deactivate all switches.

    Is it possible to block only certain channels or videos?

    Yes, but only through official tools:

    1. YouTube Kids: In the child’s profile settings there is an option "Approved content", where you can manually add allowed channels.
    2. Regular YouTube: Enable "Restricted mode" in the application settings (hides potentially dangerous content, but does not block specific channels).
    3. Third-party services: Applications like Bark or Qustodio allow you to block channels by keywords.

    To precisely block individual videos, you will have to use browser extensions (for example, BlockSite for Chrome), but this only works on PC.