How do I block YouTube?

You can block YouTube through various methods, including network-wide router settings, specific device configurations, browser extensions, or dedicated parental control software. The most effective approach depends on whether you want to block it for all devices on your network or just for individual users or specific computers.

Blocking YouTube on Your Network (Router Settings)

This method blocks YouTube for every device connected to your home or office network, as the restriction is applied at the router level.

Accessing Your Router's Settings

1. Open your browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar. This IP address is often found on a sticker on the router itself (common examples include 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Enter your admin username and password to log into your router's administration interface. If you haven't changed them, these are often default credentials listed on the router's sticker or in its manual.

Finding URL Filtering Options

Once logged in, navigate through the router's menu options. Look for sections or settings that contain keywords such as:

• URL Filters
• Blocked Websites
• Access Restrictions
• Parental Controls
• Security
• Firewall

Adding YouTube to the Block List

Within the relevant section, you will typically find a list or a field where you can add websites to block.

1. Add youtube.com to your list of restricted or blocked addresses.
2. For more comprehensive blocking, also consider adding related domains like m.youtube.com and youtu.be.
3. Save your changes. Your router might need to restart for the changes to take effect.

Blocking YouTube on Specific Devices

If you only need to block YouTube on certain computers, tablets, or smartphones, device-specific methods are more suitable.

Browser Extensions

Many web browsers offer extensions that can block specific websites. This is an easy solution for individual users.

• How it works: These extensions usually allow you to create a blacklist of websites. When you try to access a blocked site, the extension prevents it from loading or redirects you elsewhere.
• Examples: Popular browser extensions include "BlockSite," "StayFocusd," "Freedom," or "Website Blocker."
• Steps:
  1. Go to your browser's extension store (e.g., Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons).
  2. Search for a "website blocker" or "site blocker" extension.
  3. Install the chosen extension.
  4. Follow the extension's instructions to add youtube.com to its blocked list.
• Note: This method is easily bypassed by uninstalling the extension or using a different browser.

Modifying Host Files (Operating System Level)

The hosts file is a system-level file that maps domain names to IP addresses. By editing it, you can redirect youtube.com to a non-existent or local IP address, effectively blocking access.

• How it works: When you type youtube.com into your browser, your computer first checks the hosts file. By adding an entry like 127.0.0.1 youtube.com, you tell your computer to look for YouTube on itself (the local machine), which will fail.
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Steps (General):
  1. Locate the hosts file:
     • Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
     • macOS/Linux: /etc/hosts
  2. Open the hosts file with administrator privileges: On Windows, you'll need to open Notepad (or another text editor) as an administrator, then open the file. On macOS/Linux, you might use a command like sudo nano /etc/hosts.
  3. Add the following lines at the end of the file:

     127.0.0.1 youtube.com
     127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com

  4. Save the file.
• Note: This method requires technical comfort and administrator access to the device.

Using Parental Control Software/Apps

Dedicated parental control applications provide more robust and feature-rich blocking options for specific devices or across a family of devices.

• How it works: These applications are installed on the device(s) you want to manage. They offer advanced filtering, time limits, activity monitoring, and often the ability to block specific websites or even entire applications.
• Features: Website filtering, app blocking, screen time management, scheduling, activity reports, and remote management.
• Examples: Qustodio, Net Nanny, Norton Family, Google Family Link (for Android).
• Steps:
  1. Choose and purchase (if applicable) a reputable parental control software.
  2. Install the software on the target device(s) (computer, tablet, smartphone).
  3. Follow the software's instructions to configure website blocking and add youtube.com to the blocked list.
• Benefit: These solutions are harder to bypass for users without the administrative password for the software.

DNS-Based Blocking

DNS (Domain Name System) blocking involves configuring your devices or router to use special DNS servers that filter content at the domain resolution level.

• How it works: Instead of your computer directly looking up youtube.com's IP address, it asks a custom DNS server. If YouTube is on the block list of that DNS server, it returns an invalid or non-existent IP address.
• Examples: OpenDNS FamilyShield is a popular free option designed for content filtering.
• Steps:
  1. Change your DNS settings: This can be done on individual devices (in network settings) or on your router (which applies to all devices using that router's DNS).
  2. Use the IP addresses provided by the DNS filtering service (e.g., for OpenDNS FamilyShield, these are 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123).
  3. Save the settings.
• Benefit: Provides network-wide filtering similar to router blocking but can sometimes be more effective at catching various YouTube subdomains and related services.

Comparison of Blocking Methods