This article describes the best free options for limiting how often your children can access YouTube Shorts. From setting up break reminders to using third-party tools that restrict access, these methods can help you reduce screen time and encourage healthier viewing habits.

Turn on Break Reminders for YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts can be highly addictive. Like TikTok and other apps centered around short-form content, Shorts provide an endless stream of information that’s hard to break away from.

Fortunately, the YouTube app provides break reminders that can interrupt what your kid is watching to remind them when it’s time to stop for a while.

Break reminders are available in the YouTube app’s settings. Here’s how to turn them on to temporarily block YouTube Shorts:

1. Tap You at the bottom of the YouTube app.

2. Select the Settings icon at the top right.

3. Choose General.

4. Tap Remind me to take a break.

5. Select one of the presets, such as Every 30 minutes or Every 1 hour. Other options are available if you tap Customize; YouTube Shorts break reminders can occur as frequently as every five minutes.

Use YouTube Shorts in Restricted Mode

Unless you’re monitoring your children all day long, they might be exposed to inappropriate content when watching YouTube Shorts. To limit what they see, turn on Restricted Mode, which is an option built into the YouTube app that helps hide “potentially mature videos.”

There aren’t specific options with this setting. It’s just a toggle. Here’s where to find it:

1. Select You at the bottom of the app, and then Settings at the top.

2. Tap General.

3. Tap Restricted Mode to turn it on.

How to Block YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts is available from mobile devices and computers. Neither the app nor the website includes a method for turning off Shorts, but you can block some of its functionality with a third-party program.

Block Shorts From a Computer

Follow along as we explain how to block YouTube shorts on a computer with a free browser add-on.

1. Install Remove YouTube Shorts. It’s available for Chrome.

   If you use Firefox, Enhancer for YouTube is a decent alternative for hiding YouTube Shorts. Just open its settings and turn on Hide Shorts.

2. Select the extension from the top of Chrome to open its options.

3. Ensure Enable/Disable Extension is toggled on to hide YouTube Shorts.

Block Shorts on Android

The same developer of the browser extension makes an Android app called Block Scroll that has even more power. This app turns off YouTube Shorts in the YouTube app, making it impossible to scroll through these videos. It’s the best way to disable YouTube Shorts without removing YouTube altogether.

All you have to do is install Block Scroll and then tap Block All. This app can also block Instagram Reels, TikTok, and other short-form content in other apps.

The app is totally free if all you need to do is block Shorts. You can pay to block other apps or to turn on password protection to prevent your kids from re-enabling these videos.