Looking for advice on how to block YouTube on my child’s iPad. My kid keeps sneaking onto YouTube even after I’ve tried to set limits. Really want to completely block the app or website for now. Any step-by-step tips or app recommendations would be appreciated.
Lol, parents vs. YouTube—the struggle is real, right? Here’s what you gotta do to banish YouTube from that iPad for good (well, as good as Apple lets you):
- First, go Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. If you haven’t set up Screen Time, ya gotta do it. Set a passcode (no, don’t use your birthday).
- Under Content & Privacy Restrictions, go to Allowed Apps. Toggle YouTube OFF if it’s there. Sometimes the app is just a shortcut, so skip to the next step if you can’t find it.
- For the website: Tap Content Restrictions > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites. Under “Never Allow,” add www.youtube.com and m.youtube.com. (Don’t forget those mobile sneaks.)
- If your kid is a little hacker (they all are), delete the YouTube app entirely. Hold down on the icon and tap the X.
- Some kids still get to YouTube via web browsers or even via other apps. If you’re feeling parental-ninja, go back to Allowed Apps and nuke Safari. Yep, all of it. Or just limit specific websites as above.
- Extra credit: Grab a parental control app (think: Qustodio, Net Nanny, etc.) if you don’t trust Screen Time to do the job.
Oh, and keep the passcode secret! Not a joke—my cousin told her son the code and now they just negotiate like Wall Street brokers. Stay strong.
Seriusly, blocking YouTube on an iPad is like wrangling a greased pig—possible, but the thing still wants to escape. I like most of @mikeappsreviewer’s tips (especially the bit about not using a birthday as a passcode—rookie move), but I’ll toss in a couple other ideas since clever kids always find loopholes.
First up, deleting the YouTube app is fine, but with how many apps let you browse embedded YT content, sometimes that’s like playing whack-a-mole. Besides, Safari isn’t the only browser anymore, so if your kid downloads Chrome or Firefox from the App Store, boom—YouTube’s right there unless you’ve restricted app downloads (which is a whole other digital nightmare for parents).
Here’s another thing: even parental controls like Net Nanny or Qustodio get tricked. Trust me, my niece’s screen time report looked clean, but the kid was watching Minecraft on YouTube via Discord links. Had to ban Discord next, and so on, until the iPad was just a glorified calculator. I almost felt bad.
I don’t totally agree you should nuke Safari unless you’re ready for the “but my homework!” battles. Sometimes, it’s quicker to switch the kid to a “supervised” Apple ID under Family Sharing. That lets you control app installs, hide the YouTube app, and get notified if they even try a download. Not foolproof, but at least you get the heads-up.
Final note: sometimes you gotta accept you’re playing defense. The tech keeps evolving, and unless you’re running a mobile device management system like they do in schools (which is MAJOR overkill at home), it’s all about layers and regular changes to keep ahead. Or just toss the iPad in a drawer… but then you get the classic “you never let me do anything!” meltdown. There’s no perfect fix, just the illusion of control—and I salute all parents fighting the good fight.
Let’s get real: blocking YouTube on an iPad is never a 100% deal unless you’re locking the tablet in a safe. But I’ll give you a quick blueprint—and add a twist those other responses missed.
First, hats off to the layered defense ideas already listed. They cover Screen Time, Content Restrictions, deleting the app, and mention third-party parental control apps like Qustodio and Net Nanny. Thing is, both those and Apple’s built-ins can be defeated by a sharp kid or the next App Store update. Trust me, if a child wants to binge YouTube, they’ll dig up ways.
Here’s a method rarely mentioned: block YouTube at the network level. If you have a mesh router or a decent standalone WiFi router, dive into the parental controls there. Netgear, Asus, TP-Link, and Google Nest let you blacklist domains (YouTube’s many addresses), schedule device connectivity, and even block app traffic. It’s also where you can use OpenDNS FamilyShield: set your home network’s DNS servers to filter adult sites and, crucially, customize a blacklist that includes YouTube and its variants. Pro: This stops all iPads on your network—even if the kid wipes restrictions on the device. Con: When your child leaves home WiFi, it’s back to square one.
About competitors: Qustodio is solid for cross-platform monitoring; Net Nanny has strong filtering and time controls. Apple’s Screen Time is easy but basic. Problem with all: kids can sidestep using VPNs, personal hotspots, or, as others mentioned, third-party browsers and social apps.
Product review time: If you’re seeking a “turnkey” option, consider “Circle Home Plus.” It connects to your router, lets you block apps (including YouTube), manage screen time, and gives better device-by-device control compared to Screen Time alone. Pros: it’s central, works for everything on your network, and even gives usage insights. Cons: it’s another hardware purchase, doesn’t protect the iPad off WiFi, and the control panel needs a bit of tech patience.
No solution is perfect—think “speed bump,” not “barrier.” If you’re serious about managing device time, combine physical supervision, digital limits, and, most importantly, ongoing conversations about why you’re doing the blocking. And be ready for the next YouTube workaround your mini digital native invents!