How does WhitelistVideo AI content analysis work?

Let AI automatically check if individual videos are appropriate based on content categories you choose.

What does AI Shield mode do?

Without AI Shield (Manual mode):

• Only videos from whitelisted channels play
• All other videos are blocked

With AI Shield mode:

• Videos from whitelisted channels always play
• Other videos are analyzed by AI in real-time
• If the video fits your approved categories, it plays automatically
• Videos that don't match your categories are blocked

How to enable AI Shield mode

Step 1: Open your child's profile

1. Open the Parents' App on your phone
2. Tap on your child's name tab at the top
3. Make sure you're on the Manage tab

Step 2: Enable AI Shield with the slider

1. Find the protection mode slider below the Manage/Settings tabs
2. Slide it to the right until it shows "SECURE" with the label "AI Shield"

How to choose content categories

After enabling AI Shield mode, select which categories are appropriate:

Step 1: Open Whitelist Categories

1. With AI Shield enabled, tap Categories to expand
2. You'll see your currently enabled categories as tags (e.g., educational, science, math, history)

Step 2: View available categories

Categories are organized into groups:

Step 3: Select categories

To select individual categories:

• Tap on any category pill to select it (it turns colored with a checkmark)

To select an entire group:

• Tap on the group header (e.g., "Technology & Skills")
• All categories in that group will be selected
• The counter shows how many are selected (e.g., "4/4")

Step 4: Search categories (optional)

Use the Search categories... box to find specific ones quickly.

Step 5: Clear selections (optional)

Tap Clear All to deselect all categories and start over.

How AI Shield works with channels

In AI Shield mode, both systems work together:

This gives you the best of both worlds: guaranteed access to trusted channels plus intelligent filtering for discovery.

Example setups

For a 10-year-old interested in science:

1. Enable AI Shield mode
2. Select: Educational, Science, Documentary, Nature, Animals
3. Add favorite science channels to Whitelist Channels
4. Result: Child can watch science videos, nature documentaries, and educational content

For a teenager learning to code:

1. Enable AI Shield mode
2. Select: Technology, Programming, Engineering, DIY-How-To
3. Result: Child can watch coding tutorials and tech content

What does my child see when AI blocks a video?

When AI Shield blocks a video, your child sees:

Message shown:

"AI Analysis: Content Not Appropriate"

The screen includes:

• "Watch These Approved Channels Instead" - Clickable cards for whitelisted channels
• REQUESTS - How many requests remain (e.g., "9 left, Resets 6:30 PM")
• THIS CHANNEL - Wait time for re-analysis (e.g., "Wait 58min")
• STATUS - Shows "Pending - Review soon" while AI processes
• Two action buttons:
  • "Ask Parent" - Request parent approval for this channel
  • "Rerun AI-Analysis" - Try analyzing the video again

Rerun AI analysis

If your child believes the AI made a mistake, they can tap "Rerun AI-Analysis" to have the video re-evaluated. This is useful if:

• The video content changed
• The AI initially couldn't fully analyze the video
• Network issues affected the first analysis

When should I use AI Shield?

Good for:

• Broader access: Let your child explore more of YouTube safely within enabled categories
• New interests: When your child discovers new topics in enabled categories
• Busy parents: Less time spent manually reviewing every channel

Not ideal for:

• Very young children: Manual mode with whitelisted channels only may be better
• Maximum control: Manual mode gives you the most control

Switching between modes

To switch to Manual mode:

1. Slide the protection slider to the middle position (Manual / SAFE)
2. Whitelist Categories will become grayed out
3. Only your whitelisted channels will be accessible
4. Your category selections are saved and will reactivate if you switch back to AI Shield

To switch to Unprotected:

1. Slide the protection slider to the left position (Unprotected / OFF)
2. All filtering is disabled
3. Use only when supervising your child

Override AI decisions

If the AI makes a decision you disagree with:

• AI allowed something inappropriate: Consider disabling that category, or whitelist only the channels you trust for that topic
• AI blocked something safe: Whitelist the channel manually - whitelisted channels always override AI decisions

Tips for using AI Shield

Start with whitelisted channels

Build a base list of whitelisted channels first. Use AI Shield to supplement, not replace, your whitelist.

Start conservative

Begin with fewer categories. Add more categories as you see how it works for your child.

Combine with Player Controls

Use Player Controls to hide comments, block Shorts, and add additional safety layers.

AI content analysis troubleshooting

"Enable AI Shield to use categories" message

This means your protection mode slider is not on AI Shield. Slide it to the right until it shows "SECURE" with "AI Shield" label.

Why is Whitelist Categories grayed out?

1. Your protection mode is not set to AI Shield - slide the slider to the right
2. You may need a Premium subscription - check your plan

Why did AI allow a video I don't want my child to watch?

1. Consider removing that category from your enabled list
2. Whitelist only the channels you trust for that topic

Why did AI block a safe video?

1. Check if the video's category is in your enabled list
2. Whitelist the channel manually if you trust it
3. Make sure the category is selected

Why aren't my content categories saving?

1. Changes save automatically as you select
2. Wait for the sync to complete
3. Check your internet connection

More troubleshooting →