FamilyAtlasYouTube parental controlsKeep the good videos.
Change what comes next.
A science lesson can turn into a Shorts session. One useful video can lead to a channel you would rather skip. FamilyAtlas gives parents separate channel and all-Shorts rules in its Android supervision preview — so the answer does not always have to be “no YouTube.”
Android preview · Production playback validation is pending. Not available for native iPhone YouTube or router-only channel/Shorts blocking.
Two different boundaries. One clearer plan.
Choose the creator.
Review a channel’s observed identity and confirm a rule. Keep unrelated allowed videos as a separate choice.
Explore channel blocking →Skip the swipe.
Choose a boundary for the Shorts format without treating it as a ban on every regular YouTube video.
Explore Shorts blocking →What would your family choose?
These sample switches only change the illustration below. They do not change an account or a real device.
Example only. Other app, time or channel rules can still apply.
“This one is blocked.”
Then, another choice.
When identified content is blocked, the warning is scoped to that content. Your child can move to another allowed video instead of being required to leave YouTube.
That does not override a separate whole-app block or other rules. The goal is to explain the boundary clearly and leave a path to permitted content.
Set it up. Check it together.
- 01
Set up YouTube supervision on the child’s enrolled Android phone.
- 02
Complete supervision and playback access, then check the reported protection state.
- 03
Choose channel rules, an all-Shorts rule, or both. Verify them on the child’s device.
What to know before you start
Android, iPhone or the TV? The viewing device makes a difference.
Android preview: production playback validation is pending. Observations are not complete account watch history. Native iPhone YouTube control is unsupported.
| Where your child watches | Channel and all-Shorts rules | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolled Android phone | Preview | Needs the child app, supervision and playback access. Production playback validation is pending. |
| Native YouTube on iPhone or iPad | Not supported | Do not assume Android controls apply to iOS. Web/DNS controls are different. |
| TV, console or router-only setup | Not supported | HomeControl can apply supported service-level rules, not identify individual encrypted channels or Shorts. |
| Desktop browser extension | Not supported for these rules | Observed YouTube history in a supported browser is a separate capability; it does not imply channel or Shorts enforcement. |
Check the full platform-by-platform matrix → · Read the Android and iPhone guide →
Before you choose.
Can I block YouTube Shorts without blocking every video?
That is the purpose of the all-Shorts rule in the Android preview. It is separate from channel rules and whole-app blocking. Test the rule with the child’s installed YouTube version before relying on it.
Does a blocked video mean my child must leave YouTube?
The warning is scoped to the identified blocked content. The child can move to another allowed video rather than being required to leave YouTube entirely. Other rules, such as a whole-app block, may still restrict access.
Do I get my child’s complete YouTube watch history?
No. FamilyAtlas can report observed playback from supported supervised sessions. It is not a complete account history, and gaps must not be interpreted as proof that nothing was watched.
Will it automatically identify every unsuitable video?
No. A channel rule is based on the identified channel, not a judgment about every video’s suitability. An all-Shorts rule targets the format. Parents choose the boundaries; these controls are not a guarantee that every allowed video is appropriate.
Is this the same as YouTube Restricted Mode?
No. Restricted Mode is a separate content-filtering setting. It is not a specific-channel rule or an all-Shorts switch. Network filtering, account preferences and device supervision should not be treated as interchangeable.
Keep curiosity.
Set a clearer boundary.
Tell us which Android device your child uses. We’ll help you check the preview requirements and decide what to try.
Explore Android early access ↗