Guides for safer YouTube

Short, practical walkthroughs for parents. Set up devices properly and take control of what your kids watch.

YouTube tips

YouTube parental controls: the complete guide

Everything parents need to control YouTube: Restricted Mode, supervised accounts, YouTube Kids, device setup and channel blocking, in one place.

9 min read
YouTube tips

How to block YouTube Shorts

YouTube has no real off switch for Shorts. Here is what the built-in options actually do, and how to remove Shorts completely on your child's computer.

5 min read
YouTube tips

How to block a YouTube channel

YouTube's block options only hide recommendations. Every way to block a channel for your child, including search results and direct links.

5 min read
Device setup

Set up a standard account for your child on Windows

Step-by-step instructions to change your child's Windows account to a standard user, so parental controls stick. Covers Windows 11 and Windows 10.

5 min read
Device setup

Set up a standard account for your child on a Mac

Turn your child's Mac account into a standard (non-admin) user in System Settings, so they can't undo parental controls. Works on Ventura and later.

5 min read
YouTube tips

How to turn off YouTube autoplay for kids

YouTube's autoplay switch sits right on the player, where any kid can flip it back on. Here is how to turn it off so it actually stays off.

4 min read
YouTube tips

How the YouTube algorithm pulls kids into rabbit holes

Why YouTube's recommendations drift toward ever more extreme versions of whatever your child watches, and the four levers that actually slow it down.

6 min read
Comparisons

The best parental controls for YouTube in 2026

Family Link, Bark, Qustodio, Mobicip and Vidward compared honestly: what each one actually controls on YouTube, and where each falls short.

8 min read
Comparisons

Bark vs Qustodio: which controls YouTube?

Bark alerts you about what your child saw. Qustodio manages devices and time. Neither gives you your own rules inside YouTube. An honest comparison.

5 min read
Comparisons

Vidward vs Bark: an honest comparison

Bark watches your child's whole digital life and alerts you. Vidward controls YouTube itself. Which problem do you need solved? Often both.

4 min read
Comparisons

Vidward vs Qustodio: an honest comparison

Qustodio manages screen time and apps. Vidward filters what YouTube actually shows. Which one fits depends on which fight is in your house.

4 min read
Comparisons

Does Family Link block YouTube Shorts?

No, and it is not a settings mistake on your end. What Family Link actually controls on YouTube, and how to remove Shorts completely.

4 min read
YouTube tips

How to make YouTube safe for kids without YouTube Kids

Your child has outgrown YouTube Kids but is not ready for the open feed. The realistic middle path, from supervised accounts to real filters.

6 min read
Device setup

YouTube parental controls on a school Chromebook

School-managed Chromebooks follow the district's rules, not yours. What you can actually control at home, and what to ask the school for.

5 min read

Looking for a specific channel?

Channel-by-channel guides: what it is, what parents should know, and how to block it. Browse channels parents block