A YouTube Shorts blocker built for kids
Kivvie is designed without a Shorts feed on iPhone and Android. Its channel feed excludes videos it currently classifies as short, and parents can curate individual playlist videos.
Get Started With Kivvie
- 1
Create a parent account
Sign in to the Kivvie parent dashboard and create your child's profile.
- 2
Approve trusted channels
Build an approved channel list and add any individual playlist videos you choose.
- 3
Watch through Kivvie
Connect the child's device. The child app has no Shorts feed or Shorts tab.
Why Parents Choose a Shorts-Free Player
Endless Feed Design
The swipe feed has no natural stopping point, which can make it harder for a child to notice how long they have been watching.
Rapid Topic Switching
Shorts can jump between unrelated creators and topics in seconds. Parents cannot review that sequence in advance.
Unpredictable Content
Recommendations can move beyond the topic a parent or child started with, without the parent reviewing the next video first.
A Timer, Not an Off Switch
YouTube's parent-managed zero-minute limit can stop the supervised Shorts feed. The similar setting on a regular personal account is dismissible.
The Kivvie Solution
No Shorts Feed in Kivvie
This is not a setting the child toggles. Kivvie is designed without a Shorts feed, and its channel feed excludes videos it currently classifies as short. Parents can separately curate individual playlist videos.
- No Shorts feed or Shorts tab
- No algorithmic recommendations
- No autoplay to unrelated content
- Approved channel feed plus parent-curated playlists
Use YouTube's Official Control First
YouTube now lets a parent set a supervised child or teen account's daily Shorts feed limit to zero. That is the simplest option when your child still needs the standard YouTube experience. A similar zero-minute setting on a regular personal account is only a dismissible reminder.
Our guide to disabling YouTube Shorts has the current Family Centre steps, the personal-account steps, and the limits for iPhone, Android, desktop, and TV.
The Complete Setup: Kivvie + Device Controls
Kivvie provides a separate child viewing experience. If you also want to restrict standard YouTube, limit the app and website on every device and browser your child can use, then test the setup.
iPhone and iPad (Screen Time)
- 1. Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- 2. Delete the YouTube app from the child's device.
- 3. Under iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps, set Don't Allow so the child cannot reinstall it.
- 4. Install Kivvie. Do not apply an App Limit or website restriction that also blocks Kivvie.
Separately restrict youtube.com in the browsers your child can use, then test the setup.
Android (Family Link)
- 1. Open the Family Link app and select your child.
- 2. Go to Screen time > Time limits > App limits, select YouTube, and set it to Block.
- 3. Use Controls > Google Chrome and Web > Manage sites to restrict youtube.com in Chrome while the child is signed in.
- 4. Install Kivvie and approve it. Use a setup code if the device is supervised.
Other browsers need separate restrictions. Purchase approval may not cover apps downloaded before.
These layers serve different jobs: Kivvie provides the child player, while device and browser controls restrict other routes to YouTube. Review the controls after operating-system, browser, and YouTube updates.
YouTube vs Kivvie
| Method | Shorts removed? | Bypass-resistant? | Channel whitelist? | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Shorts feed limit (zero min) | Feed limit | Depends on account | No | YouTube account |
| YouTube Kids | Mode-dependent | Parent-managed | Approved content mode | Mobile, TV |
| Family Link supervised account | Feed limit | Parent-managed | No | Supervised account |
| Apple Screen Time | No (blocks whole app) | Depends on passcode and web rules | No | iOS |
| Browser extensions | Desktop only | No (easily disabled) | No | Desktop |
| Kivvie + device controls | No Shorts feed | Depends on device and web rules | Approved channels and playlists | iOS + Android |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I block YouTube Shorts for my child?
Install Kivvie on your child's phone or tablet, connect it to their profile with a Google sign-in or a setup code, then approve channels or add individual videos to playlists. Kivvie is designed without a Shorts feed. Its channel feed excludes videos it currently classifies as short. Use device controls too if the child can open standard YouTube.
What's the best app to block YouTube Shorts for kids?
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. Unlike a browser extension, this design is part of the child app itself. The free plan lets you try it without a credit card.
Can I block YouTube Shorts with Kivvie?
Kivvie is designed without a Shorts feed. Its channel feed excludes videos it currently classifies as short. Parents can also add individual videos to playlists. Use device controls as well if you need to prevent access to the standard YouTube app or website.
Why are YouTube Shorts harmful for kids?
Research on children and short-form video is still developing, so it is too broad to say every Short is harmful. The practical concerns are the endless feed, rapid switching, and recommendations that a parent has not chosen. Our research guide separates the evidence from the assumptions.
How is this different from YouTube Kids?
YouTube Kids offers an Approved content only mode. In its other modes, Search and Recommended use Google's algorithms; in Approved content only, recommendations draw only from content a parent approved. Kivvie uses approved channels and parent-curated playlists in a separate child player designed without a Shorts feed.
Does Kivvie block Shorts on all devices?
Kivvie child viewing is supported on iOS and Android. It is designed without a Shorts feed. Kivvie does not change the standard YouTube app, browser, or TV app, so use device controls where the child could open those separately.
Can my kids still watch full-length videos?
Yes. The channel feed excludes videos Kivvie currently classifies as short. Children can watch other videos from approved channels, plus individual videos a parent adds to playlists. The child player has no comments or open-ended recommendations. Visit our support page to set up approved channels.
Can I turn off YouTube Shorts in the YouTube app?
Yes, but the result depends on the account. A parent can set a supervised child or teen account's daily Shorts feed limit to zero in You > Settings > Family Centre > child > Time management. YouTube says this stops further feed scrolling for the day. A zero-minute limit set by a user on a regular personal account is only a reminder and can be dismissed. See the step-by-step guide.
Is Kivvie free?
The free plan includes 1 child profile and 5 approved channels, with no card required and no ads shown to children. The child player's no-Shorts-feed design is part of every plan. Paid plans start at $4.99/month for unlimited kids and channels. Sign in with Google to get started.
Ready for a child player without Shorts?
Build a child viewing library from the channels and videos you choose.
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