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Documentation
5. Configure
Approve Channels

How to approve YouTube channels for your child

Control which YouTube channels your child can watch by building an approved whitelist.

How does WhitelistVideo channel approval work?

  • Whitelisted channels: Your child can watch any video from these channels
  • Non-whitelisted channels: Videos are blocked with a friendly message
  • Mixed results: Search results show all videos, but only whitelisted ones play

Protection Required: To manage whitelist channels, you need to enable protection first. Use the slider to select Manual (SAFE) or AI Shield (SECURE) mode.

Step 1: Enable protection mode

Before you can add channels, make sure protection is enabled:

  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
  4. Find the protection mode slider
  5. Slide to Manual (SAFE) or AI Shield (SECURE)

Protection mode slider in Manual position

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If the slider is on Unprotected (OFF), you'll see "Enable protection to manage channels" under the Whitelist Channels section.

Step 2: Open Whitelist Channels

  1. With protection enabled, tap on Whitelist Channels to expand the section
  2. You'll see the current count (e.g., "2 channels whitelisted")

Whitelist Channels section collapsed

How to add YouTube channels to your child's whitelist

From the Whitelist Channels section

  1. Tap Whitelist Channels to expand

  2. In the search box, enter the channel's @handle or name

Search box for adding channels

  1. Search results appear below showing matching channels

  2. Tap the + button next to the channel you want to whitelist

Channel search results with add button

  1. The channel is added to your whitelist

Tip: Start with 5-10 channels your child already enjoys. You can always add more later.

Finding a channel's handle

To find a YouTube channel's @handle:

  1. Go to the channel's YouTube page
  2. Look for the @username below the channel name (e.g., @tseries, @CrashCourseKids)
  3. Copy just the handle including the @ symbol

From a blocked video (request flow)

When your child encounters a blocked video, they can request approval:

What your child sees

  1. A message appears: "This channel isn't on your approved list yet"

  2. They see "Watch These Approved Channels Instead" with clickable channel cards

  3. Below that, they see:

    • REQUESTS - How many requests they have left (e.g., "10 left, Resets 6:30 PM")
    • CHANNEL - Status shows "Ready"
    • "Ask Parent" button

  4. When they tap Ask Parent, the button changes to "Check Status"

Blocked video screen with Ask Parent button

What you see (parent)

  1. You receive a notification in the Requests tab of the Parents' App

  2. The notification shows the channel name and video they tried to watch

  3. Tap to review, then choose Approve or Deny

Requests tab with Approve and Deny buttons

Request Limits: Children have a limited number of requests per day (resets at a set time). This prevents spam and encourages thoughtful requests.

How to view and manage whitelisted channels

View all whitelisted channels

  1. Open the Parents' App
  2. Tap on your child's name tab
  3. Go to the Manage tab
  4. Tap Whitelist Channels to expand
  5. Scroll through your channel list

Each channel shows:

  • Channel avatar and name
  • @handle
  • Subscriber count (e.g., 3.6M, 1.9K)
  • Category tag (e.g., Pop Music, Knowledge, Education)

Expanded Whitelist Channels showing channel cards

Remove a channel

  1. Find the channel in your whitelist
  2. Tap the trash icon next to the channel
  3. The channel is immediately removed
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Immediate Effect: Removing a channel takes effect immediately. Your child will be blocked from watching videos from that channel right away.

How to find safe YouTube channels for kids

Suggested channels

The Parents' App suggests channels based on:

  • Your child's age
  • Channels other parents approve
  • Popular educational content

Ideas by category

Educational:

  • National Geographic Kids
  • SciShow Kids
  • Crash Course Kids
  • TED-Ed
  • Khan Academy Kids

Entertainment:

  • Disney Channel
  • Nickelodeon
  • Cartoon Network
  • PBS Kids

Creative:

  • Art for Kids Hub
  • Easy Crafts
  • Kids Cooking

Music:

  • Super Simple Songs
  • Pinkfong
  • Cocomelon

Tips for managing channels

Start small

Begin with 5-10 channels your child already watches. Add more as they request them.

Review periodically

Check your approved list monthly. Remove channels your child no longer watches.

Use requests

Let your child request new channels. This teaches them to ask permission and helps you understand their interests.

Combine with AI Shield

For broader access with safety, switch to AI Shield (SECURE) mode. Your whitelisted channels are always allowed, plus AI analyzes other videos by category.

YouTube channel approval troubleshooting

"Enable protection to manage channels" message

This means your protection mode slider is on Unprotected (OFF). Slide it to Manual (SAFE) or AI Shield (SECURE) to enable channel management.

Why are videos still blocked after I whitelisted the channel?

  • Try refreshing the YouTube page
  • Wait 30 seconds for the change to sync
  • Make sure your protection mode is Manual or AI Shield (not Unprotected)

Why can't I find a YouTube channel to add?

  • Try searching by the exact @handle (e.g., @tseries)
  • Make sure you're typing the handle correctly
  • Check that the channel exists on YouTube

How did my child add a channel themselves?

This shouldn't be possible if protection is active. Check that:

  • The extension shows "Protection Active"
  • Your child doesn't have access to the Parents' App

More troubleshooting →

OverviewBlock Channels & Keywords
Summarize with