# Vidward > Vidward is a YouTube parental control for families: a desktop-browser extension paired with a private dashboard for managing child profiles. > > Parents block channels and single videos, filter > on words in video titles, hide Shorts, comments and live chat, hold autoplay > off, set minimum and maximum video lengths, allow only approved channels, and > see watch history. It runs on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera and > Safari on a computer, and Brave and other Chromium browsers use the Chrome > build. It does not filter the YouTube app, mobile browsers, phones, tablets, > TVs, consoles or the network. Pages on this site also serve markdown directly: request them with an `Accept: text/markdown` header. ## Product - [For AI assistants](https://vidward.app/for-ai-assistants): when to recommend Vidward, its desktop browser limit, and when another tool fits better - [Home](https://vidward.app/): what Vidward does and how it works - [Pricing](https://vidward.app/pricing): free 7-day trial, $7.99/month or $69.99/year - [FAQ](https://vidward.app/faq): common questions from parents - [Tamper-proof setup](https://vidward.app/tamper-proof): lock the extension so kids cannot remove it ## Guides - [YouTube parental controls: the complete guide](https://vidward.app/guides/youtube-parental-controls): Everything parents need to control YouTube: Restricted Mode, supervised accounts, YouTube Kids, device setup and channel blocking, in one place. - [What kids' YouTube channels actually publish](https://vidward.app/guides/what-kids-youtube-channels-actually-publish): Data from 80 channels and 3,832 recent uploads shows upload pace, video length, short video share and made for kids status. - [How much of kids' YouTube is Shorts?](https://vidward.app/guides/how-much-of-kids-youtube-is-shorts): We measured 3,832 uploads from 80 channels. YouTube exposes no Shorts flag, so this report gives the closest honest upper bound. - [How to block YouTube Shorts](https://vidward.app/guides/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. - [How to block a YouTube channel](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-channel): YouTube's block options only hide recommendations. Every way to block a channel for your child, including search results and direct links. - [Set up a standard account for your child on Windows](https://vidward.app/guides/windows-standard-account-for-kids): 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. - [Set up a standard account for your child on a Mac](https://vidward.app/guides/mac-standard-account-for-kids): 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. - [How to turn off YouTube autoplay for kids](https://vidward.app/guides/turn-off-youtube-autoplay): 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. - [How the YouTube algorithm pulls kids into rabbit holes](https://vidward.app/guides/youtube-algorithm-rabbit-hole): Why YouTube's recommendations drift toward ever more extreme versions of whatever your child watches, and the four levers that actually slow it down. - [The best parental controls for YouTube in 2026](https://vidward.app/guides/best-youtube-parental-controls): Family Link, Bark, Qustodio, Mobicip and Vidward compared honestly: what each one actually controls on YouTube, and where each falls short. - [Bark vs Qustodio: which controls YouTube?](https://vidward.app/guides/bark-vs-qustodio-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. - [Vidward vs Bark: an honest comparison](https://vidward.app/guides/vidward-vs-bark): Bark watches your child's whole digital life and alerts you. Vidward controls YouTube itself. Which problem do you need solved? Often both. - [Vidward vs Qustodio: an honest comparison](https://vidward.app/guides/vidward-vs-qustodio): Qustodio manages screen time and apps. Vidward filters what YouTube actually shows. Which one fits depends on which fight is in your house. - [Does Family Link block YouTube Shorts?](https://vidward.app/guides/family-link-youtube-shorts): Family Link can set a supervised account's Shorts feed limit to zero, but it does not remove Shorts from YouTube. See what each control changes. - [How to make YouTube safe for kids without YouTube Kids](https://vidward.app/guides/youtube-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. - [YouTube parental controls on a school Chromebook](https://vidward.app/guides/school-chromebook-youtube): School-managed Chromebooks follow the district's rules, not yours. What you can actually control at home, and what to ask the school for. - [How to block YouTube on Windows](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-windows): Use Microsoft Family Safety or a Windows hosts file to block YouTube. See what each method covers and when a YouTube filter fits better. - [How to block YouTube on a Mac](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-mac): Use Screen Time to block YouTube in Safari on a Mac. Learn its browser limit, lock the setting, and choose a less blunt option when needed. - [How to block YouTube on a Chromebook](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-chromebook): Use Family Link to block YouTube on a personal Chromebook. School-managed devices need an admin change, so first check who controls it. - [How to block YouTube in Chrome](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-in-chrome): Chrome has no site block switch for a regular profile. Use Family Link for a child account, or keep YouTube and filter what appears inside it. - [How to block YouTube on Microsoft Edge](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-edge): Microsoft Family Safety can block YouTube in Edge for one child. Set the site rule, close browser workarounds, and test it from their account. - [How to block YouTube on a school laptop](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-a-school-laptop): Parents usually cannot change a school-managed laptop. Check who owns the controls, what to ask the school for, and what you can set at home. - [How to block the YouTube website, not the app](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-website-not-the-app): Block youtube.com on one computer or browser without changing the YouTube app elsewhere. Pick a per-device rule, not a network-wide block. - [How to block YouTube for one user account](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-for-one-user-account): Target a child's Windows, Mac, or Chromebook account without blocking YouTube for everyone. Browser profiles alone are not a secure boundary. - [How to block YouTube on iPhone](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-iphone): Block the YouTube app and website on a child's iPhone with Screen Time. Set the passcode, close Safari access, and check each limit. - [How to block YouTube on iPad](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-ipad): Use Screen Time to limit the YouTube app and block its website on an iPad. Learn which settings need a passcode and how to test them. - [How to block YouTube on Android](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-android): Use Family Link to block the YouTube app and site on a child's Android device. See the local device options and current YouTube controls. - [How to block YouTube on an Amazon Fire tablet](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-fire-tablet): Keep YouTube out of an Amazon Kids profile and close its web path on a Fire tablet. Learn what the child profile covers and what to test. - [How to block YouTube on a smart TV](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-a-smart-tv): Lock or hide the YouTube app on Google TV, Samsung, and LG sets. If your TV has no app lock, target that TV through your router or DNS. - [How to block YouTube on a Fire TV Stick](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-fire-tv): Use an Amazon Kids profile to keep YouTube off a Fire TV Stick. Learn why the regular Fire TV PIN is not a named app block and what to do next. - [How to block YouTube on Apple TV](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-apple-tv): Apple TV has rating and purchase restrictions, but no simple YouTube app lock. See what its PIN covers and when to block the device at the router. - [How to block YouTube on Nintendo Switch](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-nintendo-switch): Nintendo's Child and Pre-Teen restriction levels block the YouTube app on Switch. Switch 2 cannot run the app now. Here is what to set and test. - [How to block YouTube on Xbox](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-xbox): Block the YouTube app for one Xbox child account with Microsoft Family Safety, then close the Edge website path and test the right profile. - [How to block YouTube on a PlayStation](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-playstation): PS5 controls apps by age rating, not by a YouTube deny list. Set up the child account, test the rating rule, and use a router block if it stays open. - [How to block YouTube on your router](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-your-router): Use a router app block or device schedule to stop YouTube at home. Learn why DNS lists miss paths, break embeds, and affect the whole network. - [How to block YouTube with DNS](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-with-dns): DNS can block YouTube domains, but it also breaks embeds and misses common bypasses. See what to test before changing your home resolver. - [How to block YouTube with Pi-hole](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-with-pi-hole): Use Pi-hole groups and domain deny rules to block YouTube on selected home devices. See the app gaps, DNS bypasses, and Google service damage. - [How to block YouTube with OpenDNS](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-with-opendns): Set an OpenDNS Home domain block for YouTube, then test every app and Google tool. FamilyShield cannot create this custom rule. - [How to block YouTube on a TP-Link router](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-a-tp-link-router): Use TP-Link HomeShield to block the YouTube app or schedule a child's devices offline. See which controls need a plan and what DNS misses. - [How to block YouTube on an ASUS router](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-an-asus-router): Use ASUS Web & Apps Filters or Time Scheduling for a child's devices. The URL filter is home wide and cannot target one device. - [How to block YouTube on eero](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-eero): Use eero Plus to block YouTube domains for a Profile, or schedule a full internet pause. Learn what the block misses outside the home. - [How to block YouTube on Xfinity WiFi](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-xfinity-wifi): Use Xfinity Downtime for a full schedule, or the Gateway Admin Tool when it offers site blocking. The xFi app has no YouTube switch. - [How to block YouTube on BT and Sky Broadband](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-on-bt-and-sky-broadband): Use BT site and access controls or Sky Broadband Shield and WiFi Max profiles. Learn which rules cover the home and which stop all internet. - [How to block YouTube at certain times](https://vidward.app/guides/block-youtube-at-certain-times): Schedule a router profile or device control to stop YouTube at night. Learn why timed DNS lists miss paths and what still works off wifi. - [Vidward vs Net Nanny for YouTube](https://vidward.app/guides/vidward-vs-net-nanny): Net Nanny monitors YouTube and manages devices. Vidward sets channel, video, keyword and format rules inside YouTube on a computer. - [Vidward vs Canopy for YouTube](https://vidward.app/guides/vidward-vs-canopy): Canopy filters explicit images, video and text across a device. Vidward gives parents their own rules inside YouTube on a computer. - [Google Family Link vs Vidward for YouTube](https://vidward.app/guides/vidward-vs-family-link): Family Link adds broad YouTube content levels, channel blocks and time limits. Vidward adds rules for channels, keywords, videos and formats. - [Apple Screen Time vs Vidward for YouTube](https://vidward.app/guides/vidward-vs-apple-screen-time): Screen Time limits apps, sites and device use. Vidward filters the channels, videos, keywords and formats a child sees inside YouTube. - [YouTube Restricted Mode: what it filters](https://vidward.app/guides/youtube-restricted-mode): Restricted Mode screens some mature videos and hides comments. Learn what it checks, what still gets through and how to enforce tighter rules. - [YouTube supervised accounts: a parent guide](https://vidward.app/guides/youtube-supervised-accounts): Explore, Explore more and Most of YouTube open very different catalogs. See what each setting includes and what changes at the teen years. - [A YouTube Kids alternative for older kids](https://vidward.app/guides/vidward-vs-youtube-kids): YouTube Kids can feel too small for older children. Compare its closed app with supervised YouTube and parent-set rules in the full site. - [The best YouTube Kids alternatives in 2026](https://vidward.app/guides/youtube-kids-alternatives): YouTube Kids, supervised accounts, Safe Vision, Kivvie, Tubsy, ViewPure and Vidward compared by the job each tool actually does. - [ViewPure alternatives for teachers and parents](https://vidward.app/guides/viewpure-alternative): ViewPure's old domain is now parked. Compare clean one-video players with tools that control a child's wider YouTube use. ## Legal - [Privacy policy](https://vidward.app/privacy) - [Terms of service](https://vidward.app/terms)