How to set up YouTube parental controls with WhitelistVideo
WhitelistVideo is a parental control app for YouTube that blocks all videos by default and lets you approve (whitelist) the specific channels your child can watch. Only videos from approved channels will play — everything else stays blocked. Works on computers, phones, tablets, and TVs.
How does WhitelistVideo work?
- You approve channels — Pick YouTube channels you trust
- Choose a viewing mode — Full YouTube with filtering (older kids) or Curated Feed only (younger kids)
- Only safe videos play — Unapproved content is blocked or never shown
How long does WhitelistVideo setup take?
Setup takes about 5 minutes. Start the guided onboarding at whitelist.video/get-started (opens in a new tab):
The onboarding wizard walks you through creating your child's profile — including their name, grade, avatar, interests, and protection level — before account creation. Device setup happens after you sign up.
What can I do after setting up WhitelistVideo?
Once protection is active, you can:
- Approve channels — Add trusted YouTube channels to your approved list
- Add playlists — Whitelist entire YouTube playlists (Premium: up to 10)
- Choose a viewing mode — Full YouTube with filtering or Curated Feed only
- Enable Auto-pilot screening — Let AI check individual videos automatically (Premium)
- Adjust YouTube controls — Hide comments, Shorts, and more (Basic+)
- View Insights — See what your child watches, search queries, protection score, and weekly AI report (Premium)
- Manage from chat — Approve channels, change settings, and check status from WhatsApp or Telegram (Basic+)
How do I prevent my child from bypassing WhitelistVideo?
Protection varies by platform:
Scroll horizontally to see all columns.
| Platform | Bypass prevention |
|---|---|
| Windows / Mac | A separate Standard account per child, the extension in Chrome or Edge, and the desktop installer from whitelist.video/download run as admin. Block other browsers in Family Safety or Screen Time. Don't block youtube.com |
| iPhone / iPad | Allow Screen Time access, block the YouTube app (the app's picker in 1.4.8; newer versions ask you to delete it), let the YouTube access check pass, and set the parent PIN. Recommended: Deleting Apps: Don't Allow. Never block youtube.com in Screen Time; no need to block Safari |
| Android phone / tablet | In Family Link: block the YouTube, YouTube Music and YouTube Kids apps, block every browser except Chrome, and block youtube.com in Chrome (Manage sites → Blocked). Set the parent PIN |
| Android TV | Install and pair the WhitelistVideo TV app, set a parent PIN on the profile in the YouTube app, and disable the YouTube app if the TV allows it (Settings → Apps → YouTube → Disable) |
| Chromebook | Extension installed; in Family Link block Guest mode and Incognito, require app approval, and turn off Family Link's own YouTube restrictions. You're alerted by email if the extension is uninstalled; to make it un-removable, buy a Google Workspace subscription (about US $5 per month; check Google's pricing for your region) and force-install from the Google Admin console. Don't block youtube.com |
| Optional (phones, tablets, computers) | Block google.com (Google results play video snippets) and set DuckDuckGo (privacy-focused) as the default search engine |
Younger children (ages 3-8)? Use Curated Feed mode on mobile or TV — your child only sees channels you've approved in a clean grid. No search, no browsing, no surprises.
Older children (ages 8-15)? Use Full YouTube with AI Auto-pilot filtering on Chrome or mobile — they can explore with your safety net in place.
Need help with WhitelistVideo?
- Troubleshooting guide — Solve common problems
- Frequently asked questions — Answers to common questions
- Chat with our bot — Get instant help on WhatsApp or Telegram