YouTube
Effective ways to Enforce YouTube Restricted Mode
Enforce Youtube restricted mode and ensure the option isn't turned off or bypassed.
YouTube restricted mode can be enabled to automatically restrict access to explicit videos and channels on YouTube. For the most effective adult content filtering approach, it's important that restricted mode is enforced and locked on. There are a few effective techniques for protecting the YouTube restricted settings from being turned off, even if an adult is using the device where you want to block adult content.
We recommend combining multiple approaches together to ensure more effective enforcement for blocking adult content on YouTube .
Choosing an Effective Approach
To get started, you need to select which level of strictness you want to enforce:
- Strict mode blocks mature and potentially mature videos, but it's extremely limiting. For example, comments are also disabled for videos and some videos that don't show adult content will be blocked (like some podcasts). YouTube's experience will be similar to the YouTube Kids app.
- Moderate mode blocks most overtly explicit content and is less strict for a lot of videos. This is typically a good fit for an adult who wants to block adult content , but not limit access to podcasts.
Next, you should have an understanding of why we suggest the enforcement techniques mentioned in this guide.
YouTube restricted mode can be manually toggled on within a YouTube account, but it's not enabled by default and can be difficult to enforce.
Here are a few challenges with enabling restricted mode this way:
- It's easy to switch to a YouTube account where restricted mode isn't enabled
- YouTube can be used without being logged in, like in Chrome or Safari's incognito window , so restricted mode wouldn't apply in this context.
It is possible to solve for these loopholes and configure your device's network settings in such a way that it's not possible to change restricted mode by manually toggling it off in the YouTube account settings:
This is the ideal setup, especially if an adult is wanting to restrict themselves from toggling off restricted mode.
Enforce Strict Mode using a DNS Content Policy
The most universal way to enforce YouTube restricted mode is to use a DNS Content Policy . This approach is the most comprehensive for the following reasons:
- Compatible with most devices: iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac devices - even smart TVs (if your home router is pointed to your Content Policy).
- Works across YouTube accounts: restricted mode is enabled even if logged out of YouTube (browsing incognito) or switching to another YouTube account.
- App and Browser support: whether YouTube is accessed through the app or via a web browser, restricted mode will be enforced.
- Schedule when Strict Mode is active: for an adult, it might be ideal to have YouTube unrestricted during work hours, then toggle on strict mode automatically after work.
In order to use this approach, you need to do the following:
Since this enforcement rule applies to your entire device's internet connection, YouTube Strict Mode is enabled both while using the app (if you're on a smartphone, for example) and while using the web version of YouTube.
Force YouTube Moderate Mode on Computers using the Hosts File
If a desktop or laptop Windows or Mac computer is frequently used to access YouTube, you can modify the hosts file to force YouTube strict mode so that the option can't be toggled off and you can customize the level of strictness.
## Youtube Moderate Mode ## 216.239.38.119 www.youtube.com 216.239.38.119 m.youtube.com 216.239.38.119 youtubei.googleapis.com 216.239.38.119 youtube.googleapis.com 216.239.38.119 www.youtube-nocookie.com
Force Restricted Mode using Config Files (Mac)
If you have a Mac computer that you're trying to set up as an adult, you can use Config File to manage YouTube on multiple browsers at once. A Config File enables restrictions that can't be easily removed by the user, which makes it the ideal choice if you're self-managing.
Config Files need to be created by a tool called an Apple Config Generator , such as the one included with a Tech Lockdown membership. In this example, you'll choose this option to enable Moderate Mode on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and the Brave Browser at once:
You can then restrict your Config File with a passcode (recommended if you're a parent) or require the use of an uninstall process (recommended if you're an adult):
Force Restricted Mode with Command Prompt (Windows)
If you have a Windows computer and access YouTube using a web browser (like Chrome or Edge), then it's possible to use Command Prompt to force your web browser to use Restricted Mode. Even if you're an adult, you won't see the option to remove this setting later.
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v ForceYouTubeRestrict /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v ForceYouTubeRestrict /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Restricted Mode Remove Distracting YouTube features?
Toggling on the strict version of YouTube's restricted mode will remove some features. For example, if strict mode is enabled, comments on videos will be hidden. However, you'll still need to manually block YouTube shorts if you want to restrict access to that feature.