How to Block YouTube

How to Block YouTube in 2024: A Guide for Teachers, Parents, and Guardians

YouTube is a platform with a vast amount of content and it can be challenging to keep track of all the videos that children can watch safely. Which is why there are parents and teachers who have considered blocking YouTube all together and not just blocking certain YouTube channels or allowing only YouTube Kids. So whether you are a teacher aiming to keep students focused, a parent wanting to manage screen time, or a guardian concerned about inappropriate content, this guide is for you.

Why Block YouTube?

Reasons may vary from person-to-person but here are the top three reasons why there are those who find it necessary to block YouTube:

1. Distraction: YouTube can be a significant distraction, especially for students who need to focus on their studies instead of spending too much time watching YouTube shorts.
2. Inappropriate Content: With millions of videos being uploaded on the platform daily, not all videos are educational or suitable for kids.‍
3. Screen Time Management: Regulating screen time can help ensure children and teenagers are engaging in other productive activities.

How to Block YouTube: 3 Choices

There are several methods to block YouTube, each with varying levels of difficulty and control, so if you are not confident with configuring your device ask for help from a tech savvy adult you can trust or ask your IT. Here are three options we recommend for you:

I. Blocking YouTube Using Parental Control Software

The easiest among all the recommendations for blocking YouTube would be using a reliable parental control tool like the AstroSafe Parental Portal. In just 3 steps, not only can you block YouTube or any other kind of video sharing platform, but also have full control over what your child or student can access online. Here are the steps on how to setup Parental Portal:

Step 1: Install the AstroSafe App

Start with installing the AstroSafe app for free and you don’t even need to use your credit card.

Step 2: Configure your parent portal

You can customize the online access of all of your kids’ or students’ devices for any platform—this includes YouTube—and allow only those that you deem safe for them.

Step 3: Start their secure online access

They can now use their device to go online. As a parent or educator, you can now monitor what they are accessing and you can be rest assured that they are only able to use what you have allowed them to.

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Given this parental control option, it is important that you communicate with your child or student about their online safety and the reasons behind setting up parental controls or why you are blocking YouTube in the first place.

By utilizing parental control software effectively, you can create a safer online environment for your child, manage screen time, filter content, and monitor activities to ensure a positive and secure online experience free from YouTube.

II. Blocking YouTube on Your Router

To block YouTube on your router, you can follow these steps:

1. Set up OpenDNS on WiFi router:
   • Add the OpenDNS IP Address in your WiFi router settings by logging into your WiFi admin portal and looking up for DNS settings.

2. Block YouTube Domain Names Addresses:
   • Navigate to the Settings tab and click on IP address to access the network settings.
   • Switch to Web Content Filtering and under Manage individual domains, add the following domain names to the block list: youtube.com, youtubei.googleapis.com, googlevideo.com, ytimg.com.
3. Wait for Changes to Propagate:
   • Allow OpenDNS a few hours to make the changes live. The blocking of YouTube domain set up will propagate on the router connection and stop internet access
4. Verify YouTube is Blocked:
   • After the setup, when you try to access YouTube, you should encounter a blocked message or a certificate error indicating that the site is not accessible.

By following these steps, you can effectively block access to YouTube on your router, ensuring that devices connected to your network are unable to access the YouTube website and app.

This second option is not the easiest but if you are an educator, the IT in your school can help set this up for you.

The 3rd option below can be done on your own but only if you are confident with configuring your Windows computer as there are some settings that you need to manually change.

III. Blocking YouTube on a Computer (Windows)

Here are the steps on how to block YouTube on a computer that is running on Windows:

1. Open the Start menu and search for the notepad.
   • Right-click on it and select "Run as administrator."

2. Go to "File" and click "Open…."
   • Go to the "This PC" tab on the left side of the window. Double-click your computer's hard drive and open the Windows folder. Scroll down and double-click the System32 folder, then the "drivers" folder, and finally the "etc" folder.

3.  Click on "Show all file types."
   • The "host" file will be visible. Right-click on it, open "Properties," go to "Security," then click "Edit." Check the "Full Control" box and press OK.
4. Double-click on the host file to open it in the notepad.
   • At the bottom, add a line containing YouTube's address. Enter 127.0.0.1, hit the Tab key, type youtube.com, and press Enter. If you're using Chrome, you'll need to add a space at the end of the YouTube address and then write "www.youtube.com."
5. Make a backup of your "hosts" file.
   • Click "File," then "Save As…," followed by "Text Documents," select "All Files" in the drop-down menu, then the "hosts" file, and save it by clicking "Save."
6. Restart your computer.
   • After editing the "hosts" file, it is recommended that you restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.

By following these steps, you can effectively block YouTube on your Windows computer. Keep in mind that this method only blocks YouTube and does not restrict access to other websites that may contain inappropriate content.

IV. Bonus Steps on How to Block YouTube

Here’s a YouTube video showing more choices on how to block… YouTube videos! As ironic as that sounds, this is an option available to you and we want to show you your choices.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Blocking YouTube

Q: Can I block YouTube without affecting other Google services?
A: Yes, blocking YouTube specifically won’t affect other Google services like Gmail or Google Search. Most parental control software allows you to target specific websites or apps.

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Q: Is there a way to block YouTube during specific hours?
A: Yes, parental control apps like AstroSafe Parental Portal allow you to set time-based restrictions. This means YouTube can be accessible only during specific hours.

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Q: Will blocking YouTube affect YouTube Kids?
A: Blocking YouTube will also block YouTube Kids since it’s a subdomain. However, you can configure separate restrictions within the YouTube Kids app to manage content.

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Q: Can my child bypass these blocks?
A: Tech-savvy kids might find ways around basic restrictions. Using robust parental control software and periodically updating your settings can help maintain control.

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Final Thoughts About Blocking YouTube

Blocking YouTube can be an effective way to manage distractions, inappropriate content, and screen time for children and students. Whether you choose to configure your router, adjust settings on individual devices, or use parental control software, these are numerous options that can suit your needs. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure a safer and more focused digital environment for your children and students.

Stay informed and proactive about digital safety to foster a healthy balance of online and offline activities for the younger generation. For tools that allows you to better manage what kids can safely access online, check out AstroSafe tools!

Speaking of blocking YT to protect your family, check out these guides for more how-to’s:

How to Block YouTube Ads
How to Block YouTube on iPad
How to Block Websites on iPhone and iPad

Learn More About AstroSafe

If you are also looking for safe and educational content for kids, AstroSafe offers a curated collection of resources and tools. AstroSafe provides a variety of options covering age-appropriate content, educational games, and interactive learning, ensuring a safe and enriching online experience for young users. It's an excellent resource to complement blocking YouTube by directing children to positive and beneficial content that align with their learning and development needs.