How to Block or Disable YouTube Shorts for Kids
Is there a way to block YouTube Shorts? Yes, for supervised accounts. Follow the exact steps for YouTube, Family Link, iPhone, Android, and desktop.
Yes. For a supervised child or teen, set the Daily Shorts feed limit to zero from the parent's YouTube account. YouTube says the Shorts feed stops scrolling when this parent-set limit is reached. It documents this as a feed limit, not a promise that every Shorts link disappears from every YouTube screen. On a regular personal account, zero minutes is just a reminder the viewer can dismiss.
Account type determines how the limit works. Check whether your child uses a supervised YouTube account. The account type determines whether a zero-minute setting is parent-managed or dismissible. Availability and behaviour still need checking on each app and device your child uses.
Which YouTube Shorts control actually works?
The supervised-account limit affects only the Shorts feed. Screen Time and Family Link can limit the whole YouTube app. Kivvie provides a separate child player without a Shorts feed.
| Method | What it does | Can a child dismiss it? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube supervised account | Stops Shorts feed scrolling when the parent-set limit is reached | No | A child or teen using a supervised Google Account |
| Personal YouTube timer | Shows a reminder after the selected daily limit | Yes | A self-managed habit reminder |
| Screen Time or Family Link | Limits or blocks the whole YouTube app | Depends on parent lock settings | Preventing access to the standard YouTube app |
| Browser extension | Hides Shorts in a supported desktop browser | Usually | Desktop filtering for personal use |
| Kivvie with device controls | Provides a separate player without a Shorts feed | No, not within Kivvie | Viewing approved channels and playlists on iPhone, iPad, or Android |
In this guide
How to block YouTube Shorts for a supervised child account
In March 2026, YouTube added a zero-minute option for parent-managed Shorts limits. Its current supervised-account instructions say parents can set the limit from Family Centre; once it is reached, the teen cannot keep scrolling.
If the account is not supervised yet, our YouTube supervised account guide explains the content levels and account setup.
- 1Open the YouTube app while signed in to the parent account.
- 2Tap You, then Settings, then Family Centre.
- 3Choose the supervised child or teen account.
- 4Open Time management, then Daily Shorts feed limit.
- 5Set the limit to zero minutes and save it.
This setting controls the Shorts feed. YouTube does not say it removes Shorts URLs or short-form videos from other parts of the service, so test the places your child normally watches.
How to turn off Shorts on a regular YouTube account
On a regular account, the menu sets a self-managed timer. YouTube's personal Shorts feed limit guide says the user can dismiss or ignore the reminder. It may help an adult change their viewing habit, but it does not lock the setting.
- 1Open the YouTube mobile app and tap You.
- 2Open Settings, then Time management.
- 3Choose Shorts feed limit.
- 4Set the daily limit to zero minutes.
How to block YouTube Shorts on iPhone or iPad
Screen Time cannot filter Shorts without limiting the rest of the YouTube app. Use the supervised-account setting above to stop only the Shorts feed. To limit the entire app, open Settings > Screen Time > App Limits > Add Limit, choose YouTube, set the time, and protect Screen Time with a passcode. Verify that the child cannot extend the limit without that passcode.
To remove the app instead, delete YouTube, then use Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps > Don't Allow. Protect Screen Time with a passcode the child does not know. Apple documents these options in its App Limits guide and content restriction guide.
Allowed Apps & Features applies only to Apple's built-in apps and features, so it cannot disable YouTube.
How to block YouTube Shorts with Family Link on Android
To limit Shorts alone, use the YouTube Family Centre steps above. To block the whole app, open Family Link on the parent device, choose the child, then go to Screen time > Time limits > App limits, select YouTube, and choose Block. Google's Family Link controls guide also explains app approvals and daily limits.
Blocking the Android app does not automatically block youtube.com in every browser. In Family Link, use Controls > Google Chrome and Web > Manage sites for Chrome while the child is signed in. It does not secure other browsers.
What about desktop browsers and smart TVs?
Browser extensions can hide the Shorts shelf and navigation links on desktop, but they change only that browser's interface. A child can remove the extension, switch browsers, use a private window, or open YouTube elsewhere. A YouTube interface update can also break the filter.
YouTube does not document a TV-specific Shorts switch or say whether the supervised feed limit applies in the TV interface. Do not rely on the mobile setting alone. Restrict or remove the TV YouTube app if that boundary is required.
Use a child YouTube player without Shorts
Kivvie is a separate child viewing app for iPhone, iPad, and Android. It is designed without a Shorts feed. Its channel feed excludes videos it currently classifies as short, while parents can separately curate individual videos in playlists.
Kivvie does not block the standard YouTube app by itself. To block standard YouTube as well, use Screen Time or Family Link, then leave Kivvie available for approved viewing. The product page explains how the Kivvie YouTube Shorts blocker works, and the YouTube channel whitelist guide covers channel approval.
If you are deciding whether the feed needs a limit at all, read what current research says about YouTube Shorts and children.
If Shorts are not the problem and you need to stop a specific creator appearing, use the separate guide to block YouTube channels on each device. Channel blocking does not remove the Shorts feed.
Choose the setup that matches your goal. Use the supervised YouTube limit if your child still needs standard YouTube. If you want a smaller, parent-approved library, pair a child player without a Shorts feed with device controls.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a way to block YouTube Shorts?
Yes, for a supervised child or teen account. A parent can set the Daily Shorts feed limit to zero, and YouTube says the feed stops scrolling when that parent-set limit is reached. The setting blocks continued Shorts feed scrolling; it does not remove every Shorts URL from every YouTube surface.
How do I block YouTube Shorts with Family Link?
Open YouTube as the parent, then go to You > Settings > Family Centre, select the supervised account, open Time management, and set Daily Shorts feed limit to zero. Family Link can also block or limit the entire YouTube app on a supervised Android device.
Can a child ignore the zero-minute Shorts limit?
YouTube says a parent-set limit on a supervised child or teen account prevents further Shorts feed scrolling for the day. A personal-account limit is a reminder the user can dismiss or ignore.
Can Screen Time disable only YouTube Shorts on iPhone?
No. Apple Screen Time can limit or block the YouTube app, but it does not have a Shorts-only control. Use YouTube's supervised account setting for the Shorts feed, or remove YouTube and prevent new app installations if you need to block the whole app.
How do I block YouTube on iPhone for a child?
To stop only the Shorts feed, set the supervised account's Daily Shorts feed limit to zero. To block the whole YouTube app, open Settings > Screen Time > App Limits, add a limit for YouTube, and protect Screen Time with a passcode. To remove it, delete the app and set Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps to Don't Allow.
Can I disable YouTube Shorts on a smart TV?
YouTube does not document a TV-specific Shorts switch or say whether the supervised feed limit applies in the TV interface. Do not rely on the mobile setting alone; restrict or remove the TV YouTube app if that boundary is required.
Do browser extensions permanently remove YouTube Shorts?
No. Extensions can hide Shorts in a supported desktop browser, but users can disable or remove them, and a YouTube interface update can break the filter. Use them for personal preference, not parental control.
Does Kivvie show YouTube Shorts?
Kivvie is designed without a Shorts feed. Its channel feed excludes videos it currently classifies as short, while parents can separately curate individual videos in playlists. Use device controls if you also want to block the standard YouTube app or website.
Want to try the whitelist approach?
Kivvie takes about 2 minutes to set up. You pick the channels, your kids see nothing else.
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