How to control YouTube features for your child
Customize the YouTube experience by removing distractions and protecting your child from unwanted content using Player Controls.
Works in All Modes: Player Controls are available in all protection modes (Unprotected, Manual, and AI Shield). You don't need to enable protection to use these controls.
What Player Controls are available?
The Player Controls section shows how many controls are currently active (e.g., "3 controls active"). When no controls are enabled, you'll see "No controls enabled".
| Control | What It Does | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Block YouTube Shorts | Hide YouTube Shorts from all pages | Free |
| Hide YouTube Comments | Hide comment sections on all videos | Free |
| Block Downloads | Hide video download options | Free |
| Block YouTube Ads | Block all YouTube ads including pre-roll and mid-roll | Paid |
How to access Player Controls
- Open the Parents' App
- Tap on your child's name tab
- Go to the Manage tab
- Scroll down and tap Player Controls to expand the section
How to block YouTube Shorts
What it does: Hides YouTube Shorts from all pages.
Why should I block YouTube Shorts?
- Attention impact: Rapid-fire, short videos can harm developing attention spans
- Harder to moderate: Millions of Shorts are uploaded daily, making them difficult to filter
- Addictive design: Shorts are designed to keep viewers scrolling endlessly
- Often off-topic: Shorts frequently don't come from your whitelisted channels
Your child can still watch full-length videos from whitelisted channels.
How to enable
- Tap Player Controls to expand
- Find Block YouTube Shorts toggle
- Switch it ON (turns colored)
Recommendation: Keep Block YouTube Shorts enabled for all children, especially younger ones.
How to hide YouTube comments
What it does: Hides the comment sections on all videos.
Why use it: Comments can contain:
- Inappropriate language
- Spoilers
- Arguments and negativity
- Links to unsafe content
How to enable
- Tap Player Controls to expand
- Find Hide YouTube Comments toggle
- Switch it ON
Recommended for: All ages, especially children under 13.
How to block YouTube downloads
What it does: Hides video download options.
Why use it:
- Downloaded videos bypass some content filters
- Prevents storage of potentially inappropriate content
- Keeps viewing within the protected environment
How to enable
- Tap Player Controls to expand
- Find Block Downloads toggle
- Switch it ON
Recommended for: All ages.
How to block YouTube ads
What it does: Blocks all YouTube ads including pre-roll and mid-roll advertisements.
Experimental Feature: Block YouTube Ads is an experimental feature. Results may vary and some ads may still appear.
Recommendation: For the best ad-free experience, we strongly recommend subscribing to YouTube Premium (opens in a new tab) for your child or getting the YouTube Premium Family plan.
Why use it:
- Many ads are not appropriate for children
- Prevents exposure to marketing and consumerism
- Creates a cleaner, less distracting viewing experience
- Removes "skip ad" countdown distractions
How to enable
- Tap Player Controls to expand
- Find Block YouTube Ads toggle
- Switch it ON
[PLACEHOLDER: 400x100 - Block YouTube Ads toggle in ON position]
Note: This is a paid feature. If you're on the Free plan, you'll see a prompt to upgrade.
Recommended for: All ages.
What are the recommended Player Control settings by age?
Under 8 years old
| Control | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Block YouTube Shorts | On |
| Hide YouTube Comments | On |
| Block Downloads | On |
| Block YouTube Ads | On (if subscribed) |
8-12 years old
| Control | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Block YouTube Shorts | On |
| Hide YouTube Comments | On |
| Block Downloads | On |
| Block YouTube Ads | On (if subscribed) |
13+ years old
| Control | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Block YouTube Shorts | Optional |
| Hide YouTube Comments | Optional |
| Block Downloads | Optional |
| Block YouTube Ads | On (if subscribed) |
Player Controls work independently
Player Controls work regardless of your protection mode setting:
| Protection Mode | Player Controls |
|---|---|
| Unprotected (OFF) | Available |
| Manual (SAFE) | Available |
| AI Shield (SECURE) | Available |
This means you can block Shorts and comments even when protection is disabled during supervised viewing sessions.
Player Controls troubleshooting
Comments are still showing
- Make sure Hide YouTube Comments is toggled On
- Try refreshing the YouTube page
- Wait 30 seconds for settings to sync
Shorts are still showing
- Make sure Block YouTube Shorts is toggled On
- Try refreshing the YouTube page
- Clear browser cache if the issue persists
Ads are still showing
- Verify Block YouTube Ads is enabled
- This is a paid feature - check your subscription status
- Some YouTube system messages may still appear (not ads)
- Try refreshing the page
Block YouTube Ads toggle is grayed out
This feature requires a paid subscription. Upgrade your plan to access additional features.
My child found a way around a control
Consider adding Advanced Protection to prevent bypassing the extension entirely.