12/02/2026
Parents can now officially turn off shorts on YouTube.
Google has significantly upgraded parental controls, providing families with unprecedented authority over the YouTube Shorts experience.
Through the Google Family Link app and new supervised account features, parents can now implement strict daily time limits for users under 18. By setting these customizable timers to zero, parents can effectively block the Shorts feed entirely, addressing long-standing concerns regarding the platform's infinite-scrolling format. Additionally, these tools include unchangeable bedtimes and break reminders, ensuring that digital habits remain healthy and consistent without the risk of unauthorized adjustments by children.
For those seeking even more robust protections, the YouTube Kids app remains a curated, Shorts-free environment specifically designed for younger audiences. Parents can also leverage browser-based extensions and Restricted Mode settings on desktop devices to filter mature content or block specific URLs. These updates represent a major shift toward digital safety, allowing guardians to tailor the video-sharing platform to their child’s maturity level. Whether it is a 15-minute daily allowance or a total block, these new granular settings put the power of content consumption back into the hands of families.
source: Google. (2026). Supervised Accounts and Family Link: New Tools for Managing YouTube Shorts for Teens and Children. Google Support.
