{"id":62107,"date":"2023-01-06T18:20:53","date_gmt":"2023-01-06T12:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=62107"},"modified":"2026-10-08T19:03:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T13:33:37","slug":"block-adult-content-youtube","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/block-adult-content-youtube\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Block Adult Content on YouTube (Restricted Mode &#038; Parental Controls 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Worried about what your kids might see on YouTube? You can block adult content on YouTube in a few minutes using Restricted Mode, YouTube Kids, supervised accounts and Google Family Link. One video leads to another, and the recommendations can quickly drift into mature content, especially on a shared phone or TV. Here&#8217;s how to set up each control in 2026 and make it stick.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> Turn on <strong>Restricted Mode<\/strong> from your profile menu on every device and browser. For children, use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtubekids.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube Kids<\/a> app or a <strong>supervised account<\/strong> set up through <a href=\"https:\/\/families.google.com\/familylink\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Family Link<\/a>, which locks the settings so kids can&#8217;t switch them off.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ac84cab761aa\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ac84cab761aa\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/block-adult-content-youtube\/#1_Turn_on_YouTube_Restricted_Mode_to_block_adult_content_on_YouTube\" >1. Turn on YouTube Restricted Mode to block adult content on YouTube<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/block-adult-content-youtube\/#2_Lock_Restricted_Mode_so_kids_cant_turn_it_off\" >2. Lock Restricted Mode so kids can&#8217;t turn it off<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/block-adult-content-youtube\/#3_Use_YouTube_Kids_for_young_children\" >3. Use YouTube Kids for young children<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/block-adult-content-youtube\/#4_Set_up_a_supervised_YouTube_account\" >4. Set up a supervised YouTube account<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/block-adult-content-youtube\/#5_Extra_settings_that_help\" >5. Extra settings that help<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/block-adult-content-youtube\/#Frequently_asked_questions\" >Frequently asked questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/block-adult-content-youtube\/#Why_cant_I_turn_off_Restricted_Mode_on_YouTube\" >Why can&#8217;t I turn off Restricted Mode on YouTube?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/block-adult-content-youtube\/#Is_YouTube_Restricted_Mode_enough_to_block_adult_content_on_YouTube\" >Is YouTube Restricted Mode enough to block adult content on YouTube?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/01\/block-adult-content-youtube\/#Does_Restricted_Mode_work_on_the_YouTube_app\" >Does Restricted Mode work on the YouTube app?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Turn_on_YouTube_Restricted_Mode_to_block_adult_content_on_YouTube\"><\/span>1. Turn on YouTube Restricted Mode to block adult content on YouTube<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Restricted Mode hides videos flagged as mature, based on titles, descriptions, age restrictions and community flags. It also hides comments.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>On a computer:<\/strong> go to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>, click your <strong>profile picture<\/strong> at the top right, and at the bottom of the menu click <strong>Restricted Mode<\/strong>. Switch on <strong>Activate Restricted Mode<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>On Android or iPhone:<\/strong> tap your profile picture (<strong>You<\/strong> tab) \u2192 <strong>Settings<\/strong> (gear icon) \u2192 <strong>General<\/strong> \u2192 turn on <strong>Restricted Mode<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>On a smart TV:<\/strong> open the YouTube app, go to <strong>Settings \u2192 Restricted Mode<\/strong> and turn it on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/youtube-block-adult-content.png\" alt=\"block adult content on YouTube with Restricted Mode\" width=\"320\" height=\"213\" \/> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/youtube-restricted-mode-off.png\" alt=\"youtube restricted mode off\" width=\"289\" height=\"193\" \/> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/youtube-restricted-mode-on.png\" alt=\"youtube restricted mode on\" width=\"303\" height=\"312\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Restricted Mode is <strong>per device and per browser<\/strong>. Turning it on in Chrome on your laptop doesn&#8217;t change your phone, tablet or TV, so repeat it everywhere your kids watch to block adult content on YouTube fully. YouTube also notes that no filter is 100% accurate, so some mature videos may slip through.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Lock_Restricted_Mode_so_kids_cant_turn_it_off\"><\/span>2. Lock Restricted Mode so kids can&#8217;t turn it off<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/lock-restricted-mode-youtube.png\" alt=\"lock restricted mode youtube\" width=\"280\" height=\"290\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On its own, anyone can switch Restricted Mode off again. To lock it:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Family Link:<\/strong> for a child&#8217;s Google account, Restricted Mode is managed by the parent, and the child can&#8217;t change it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Network level:<\/strong> on your home router or a DNS service, you can force YouTube&#8217;s Restricted Mode for every device on your Wi-Fi. Google explains this in its <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/a\/answer\/6214622\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube network restrictions guide<\/a>, and filtering DNS services such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cloudflare.com\/learning\/dns\/what-is-1.1.1.1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cloudflare 1.1.1.3 for Families<\/a> block adult sites too.<\/li>\n<li><strong>School or work accounts:<\/strong> Google Workspace admins can enforce it for managed devices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Use_YouTube_Kids_for_young_children\"><\/span>3. Use YouTube Kids for young children<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/youtube-kids-1.jpg\" alt=\"youtube kids\" width=\"500\" height=\"455\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For children under 13, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtubekids.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube Kids<\/a> is safer than the main app. Parents choose a content level (<strong>Preschool<\/strong>, <strong>Younger<\/strong> or <strong>Older<\/strong>), or switch to <strong>Approved content only<\/strong> to allow just the videos and channels you pick. You can also turn off search, block specific videos or channels, and set a screen time limit with a timer.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Set_up_a_supervised_YouTube_account\"><\/span>4. Set up a supervised YouTube account<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/google-families.jpg\" alt=\"google families\" width=\"891\" height=\"330\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When children outgrow YouTube Kids, a <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/youtube\/answer\/10314074\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supervised experience<\/a> on the main YouTube app gives them more videos with guardrails. Set it up with Google Family Link and choose one of three content settings:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Explore:<\/strong> videos generally suitable for ages 9+.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Explore more:<\/strong> videos for ages 13+.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Most of YouTube:<\/strong> almost everything except age-restricted videos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Parents can also turn off autoplay, review watch history, block channels and limit uploads and comments. For teens aged 13\u201317, YouTube&#8217;s teen supervision lets you link accounts and see their uploads and activity, while teen accounts get Take a Break and Bedtime reminders by default.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Extra_settings_that_help\"><\/span>5. Extra settings that help<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Limit Shorts:<\/strong> in the supervised settings, you can set a Shorts time limit, or set it to zero to turn the Shorts feed off completely.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pause or clear watch history<\/strong> so old videos don&#8217;t shape new recommendations: <strong>Settings \u2192 Manage all history<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use &#8220;Don&#8217;t recommend channel&#8221;<\/strong> from the three-dot menu on any unsuitable video.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Block mature results in search engines too:<\/strong> see how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/10\/change-google-safe-search-settings\/\">block adult content on Google<\/a> with SafeSearch, and on other apps like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/05\/block-netflix-adult-content\/\">Netflix<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2023\/02\/block-adult-content-amazon-prime-video\/\">Amazon Prime Video<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span>Frequently asked questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_cant_I_turn_off_Restricted_Mode_on_YouTube\"><\/span>Why can&#8217;t I turn off Restricted Mode on YouTube?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It&#8217;s probably locked by Family Link, your network or router, or your school or work administrator. Ask whoever manages that account or network.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_YouTube_Restricted_Mode_enough_to_block_adult_content_on_YouTube\"><\/span>Is YouTube Restricted Mode enough to block adult content on YouTube?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Not on its own. It filters most mature videos, but it can be switched off and isn&#8217;t perfect. For children, use YouTube Kids or a supervised account, and keep devices in shared spaces.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_Restricted_Mode_work_on_the_YouTube_app\"><\/span>Does Restricted Mode work on the YouTube app?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, but you need to turn it on separately in each app and browser where you use YouTube.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Worried about what your kids might see on YouTube? You can block adult content on YouTube in a few minutes&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":63001,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[49],"class_list":["post-62107","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-security","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62107","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62107"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62107\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63363,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62107\/revisions\/63363"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62107"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62107"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62107"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}