YouTube Now Has a Way for Parents to Block Kids From Watching Shorts
YouTube now lets parents block or limit kids’ access to Shorts—giving families more control over screen time and content.
Matilda
YouTube Now Has a Way for Parents to Block Kids From Watching Shorts
YouTube Introduces New Parental Controls to Limit or Block Shorts for Kids In a move that responds directly to growing concerns about digital well-being, YouTube has rolled out new parental controls that let guardians restrict or completely block their children’s access to YouTube Shorts. Announced on January 14, 2026, the update gives parents unprecedented authority over how much time their kids spend watching the platform’s TikTok-style short-form videos—answering a common search query: Can I stop my child from watching YouTube Shorts? The answer is now a clear yes. Credit: CFOTO/Future Publishing / Getty Images Why This Update Matters for Families in 2026 Short-form video content has exploded in popularity, especially among younger users—but with it comes worries about excessive screen time, algorithm-driven rabbit holes, and exposure to age-inappropriate material. YouTube’s latest feature addresses these concerns head-on by allowing parents to either set daily time limits for Shorts o…