How to Block YouTube Shorts: Protect Kids from Addictive Short-Form Content

Method 1: Block YouTube Shorts on Desktop (Browser Extensions)

The easiest way to remove Shorts on desktop computers is using browser extensions:

For Chrome

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store
2. Search for "Hide YouTube Shorts"
3. Install the extension
4. Shorts section disappears from YouTube

Recommended extensions:

• Hide YouTube Shorts
• Unhook - Remove YouTube Recommended Videos
• DF YouTube (Distraction Free)

For Firefox

Similar extensions are available in Firefox Add-ons. Search for "YouTube Shorts blocker" or "Distraction Free YouTube."

Limitation: Browser extensions don't work in incognito mode and can be easily uninstalled by children. They also don't protect mobile devices.

Method 2: Block Shorts on Mobile Devices

Mobile is trickier because YouTube doesn't offer a Shorts disable option, and you can't install browser extensions on the YouTube app.

Option A: Use YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids has a version of short videos, but they're more curated than regular Shorts. For children under 8, this may be sufficient.

Option B: Use Website Instead of App

Access YouTube through a mobile browser (Chrome, Safari) instead of the app. Then use a content blocker that can hide Shorts elements. This is clunky but works.

Option C: Parental Control Apps

Some parental control apps can block access to the YouTube app entirely or limit usage time. You'd then allow YouTube only through controlled methods.

Option D: Whitelist-Based Solution (Most Effective)

WhitelistVideo blocks Shorts by default on all plans and all devices. Since only approved channels are accessible, and Shorts come from the general algorithm, they're automatically blocked.

Method 3: YouTube Family Link Shorts Timer (NEW — Jan 2026)

As of January 2026, YouTube lets parents set a daily Shorts feed time limit or block Shorts entirely for supervised child accounts through Google Family Link.

How to Set Up

1. Open the Google Family Link app on your phone
2. Select your child's profile
3. Tap Controls > Content restrictions > YouTube
4. Set the daily Shorts feed limit: 15 min, 30 min, 1 hour, 2 hours, or 0 minutes (blocks Shorts entirely)
5. Changes apply immediately across all devices signed into the supervised account

You can also access this from the YouTube app: You > Settings > Family Center > select child > Time management.

What works well: The limit is non-dismissible — when time runs out, the Shorts feed stops scrolling for the rest of the day. Your child cannot override this setting.

Limitations:

• Requires a supervised Google account through Family Link
• Only controls Shorts duration — doesn't control which channels or videos kids watch on regular YouTube
• Teens (13+) can opt out of supervision if they choose to manage their own account

Best combined with: WhitelistVideo for channel-level control. Family Link handles Shorts time limits; WhitelistVideo ensures kids only watch approved content.

Method 4: Router-Level Blocking

For tech-savvy parents, you can block Shorts at the network level:

1. Access your router's admin panel
2. Find URL filtering or parental controls
3. Add blocks for: youtube.com/shorts

Limitations: This only works on your home network and can be bypassed using mobile data or VPNs.

Why Whitelist-Based Blocking Is Most Effective

All the methods above have the same fundamental problem: they try to block specific content while allowing the rest of YouTube. This is a losing battle because:

• YouTube constantly changes how Shorts are delivered
• Shorts appear in search results, recommendations, and channel pages
• Kids find workarounds (different devices, accounts, networks)

The whitelist approach flips the model: Block ALL YouTube content by default. Only allow specific channels you've approved. Since Shorts come from the algorithmic feed — not from specific channels — they're automatically blocked.

With WhitelistVideo:

• Shorts are blocked by default (intentional design decision)
• Children can only watch videos from approved channels
• Works across all devices and browsers
• Cannot be bypassed via incognito mode or app switching

Helping Kids Understand Why

Blocking Shorts works best when children understand the reasoning. Age-appropriate explanations:

For younger kids (8-10):

"Shorts are designed to be really hard to stop watching. They trick your brain into wanting more and more. We're going to watch longer videos instead so your brain stays healthy."

For older kids (11-15):

"Shorts use the same psychology as slot machines — they're engineered to be addictive. Research shows they can affect your attention span and focus. Let's be intentional about what content you consume."

Take Action Today

YouTube Shorts isn't going away — if anything, YouTube is pushing it harder to compete with TikTok. As parents, we need to be proactive:

1. Desktop: Install a Shorts-blocking extension today
2. Mobile: Set up Family Link Shorts Timer for supervised accounts, or use WhitelistVideo for complete control
3. Long-term: Implement whitelist-based protection for complete control

YouTube's new Family Link Shorts Timer is a solid free option for limiting Shorts on supervised accounts. For complete control over everything your child watches, WhitelistVideo blocks Shorts by default and only allows parent-approved channels.