By need
Which Parental Control Blocks YouTube Shorts Best?
Most parental control tools can't touch YouTube Shorts. Here's what actually works.
Quick answer: Three options can effectively disable YouTube Shorts: WhitelistVideo (full block toggle), Google Family Link (daily Shorts limit set to 0 minutes), and YouTube Kids (doesn't have Shorts at all). Bark, Qustodio, and Net Nanny cannot block Shorts specifically.
Shorts blocking comparison
| Tool | Can block Shorts? | How | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| WhitelistVideo | Yes — full block | Toggle in Player Controls | Requires Basic+ plan; works in protected browser only |
| Google Family Link | Yes — daily limit to 0 | Family Center → YouTube → Shorts limit → 0 min | Requires supervised account; doesn't block direct Shorts links |
| YouTube Kids | N/A — no Shorts feed | Shorts don't exist in the Kids app | Limited catalog; designed for young children |
| Bark | No | — | Monitors but doesn't block YouTube features |
| Qustodio | Partial | Can block youtube.com/shorts URL pattern via web filter | Easily bypassed; doesn't work in apps |
| Net Nanny | No | — | Can only block/allow YouTube entirely |
Our recommendation
If blocking YouTube Shorts is a priority, WhitelistVideo offers the most complete solution. Its Block Shorts toggle removes the Shorts feed from all YouTube pages — not a daily limit or URL hack, but full removal within the protected environment.
For a free alternative, Family Link's daily Shorts limit set to 0 works on supervised accounts, though direct Shorts links shared via messaging apps can still open.