If your child has access to YouTube Kids, I feel for you. I really do. It’s the bane of my existence. Aside from the unbelievable number of “Daddy Finger” videos playing non-stop, there are numerous toy channels that have kids whining for toys. So how do you block videos on YouTube Kids before you go insane?
Luckily, there are a few tools for parents that you can use. My first tip is to do these steps while your child is asleep so that they don’t see the iPad in your hands.
How to Block Videos On YouTube Kids App
Fortunately, it’s actually fairly simple to block videos on YouTube Kids. These instructions are for the iOS version of YouTube Kids app but they should be similar for other versions.
- Click on the annoying video.
- Click on the three little dots you see at the upper right hand corner.
- Press Block. You will have to enter the numbers that appear on the right hand side – this is a parent safety feature.
- To avoid ALL content from a channel (recommended… for your sanity), click to block the channel, not the individual video.
Voila! Peace of mind that your child isn’t watching programming that will have them desiring that hard-to-find toy.
Related: Parenting From Dad’s Perspective
Why You Should Block Videos On YouTube Kids
You would think that all content is A-OK for young eyes. However, as you may have noticed, there is a large number of videos that showcase toys in some format or another. They hide them in song videos. They have other kids “reviewing” the toys in skit scenarios. This is one of my main reasons to block videos on YouTube Kids.
I’m fine with my little guy watching a couple videos, but when he’s obsessed with them, there’s a problem. And the toy unboxing videos, as well as music videos with dancing dinosaurs and apes are like catnip for kids.
Having worked in promoting toys for a while, I have seen some of the strategies that influencers use to get eyeballs to their channels. Seems that young kids LOVE these types of shows and will watch them for hours on end. They even by-pass new episodes of Paw Patrol and Peppa the Pig to gaze at toy unboxings.
And then the whining starts. “It’s mine! I want this….”
Ugh… Just stop the insanity!
Secondly, there are some videos created to look like official kid-friendly cartoons that have managed to slip into the kids programming using the correct tags. These are often extremely disturbing. It’s wise to have your child around you when they are watching any videos on YouTube Kids. Know what they are watching!
| Read More: Things To Do With Kids At Home On A Rainy Day
One Final Tip
Take the time to go through the videos that pop-up and block the ones you don’t want your child to see. It can take some time, but when you block whole channels versus blocking videos, it’s easier and faster to weed them out.
And one last thing…. you’re welcome. Now go and dig out some old toys, perhaps even some old toys from your youth and do your own live “unboxing”.
Happy Parenting!
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7 Comments
My son is still a baby but I am already taking notes and tips from parents like you. This is great advice and something I hadn’t thought about yet. I will definitely block videos and be mindful of what he watches early on.
The stuff that’s out there! iPads and smartphones are like catnip for kids. And they figure it out so fast!
Omg, thank you, thank you, thank you. You feel my pain. Running to my kids’ tablets to go on a blocking frenzy…Did I say thank you?
You are most welcome!! It will take a while. You may need a glass of something delicious or a cup of tea to get through the blocking frenzy. But it’s worth it, even if the odd crappy video slips through once in a while.
You’re welcome!
I’ve had a few instances that my kids are watching what I think is a kids show and upon closer inspection, someone has taken their show and made it dirty. This will definitely be helpful when we come across those videos, thank you!
Ha! Thank you! I really needed this!
Thanks so much!