We all know kids love YouTube. But as parents, the last thing we want is for our little ones to stumble upon a video that’s way outside their age group. 

YouTube Kids is a great tool for letting them enjoy videos safely, but with a few tweaks to the settings, you can make it even safer. 

This guide will walk you through setting up YouTube Kids so your child only sees approved content. 

(Plus, we'll introduce you to a secret tool for even more parental control over their online experience!)

How to Set Up YouTube Kids for Maximum Control

Here’s how to ensure YouTube Kids only shows content you specifically approve:

Step 1: Download the App

If you don’t have it yet, head over to the iOS App Store or Google Play, download YouTube Kids, and set up a profile for your child. Easy peasy.

Step 2: Access Parental Controls

Once the profile is ready, head to Parental Controls:

1. Tap the Lock icon at the bottom of the screen.

2. Solve the math problem (yes, really!) or enter your password.

Step 3: Enable “Approved Content Only”

To make sure your child only sees hand-picked content, go to: Profile Settings > Approved Content Only. 

Now, your kid can only watch what you allow. No random videos, no exploring, no surprises.

Step 4: Pick the Good Stuff

Once "Approved Content Only" is on, start adding channels and videos you feel comfortable with. 

You can browse categories or search for specific channels to build a playlist of quality, kid-safe content.

Step 5: Monitor and Block

Regularly check your child’s Watch History to see what they’ve been watching. If something snuck through, you can block it directly from their history or search for the video and block it for good.

You can even block entire channels if you find that some creators consistently put out content you’re uncomfortable with.

Step 6: Set Screen Time Limits

Use the Timer feature to limit how long your child spends on the app. This feature locks the app once the time is up, encouraging breaks and keeping screen time in check.

Take It Further: DNS Filtering with Control D

While YouTube Kids does a solid job, your child is bound to explore beyond YouTube. This is where a DNS filtering tool such as Control D comes in.

How Control D Protects Your Kids

Control D lets you control exactly what your kids can access online with more precision than ever before:

1. Full Internet Filtering: While YouTube Kids is great for videos, Control D can block entire website categories like “Social Media,” “Adult Content,” or even games. It's an all-encompassing filter, so you’re not just relying on app settings.

2. Whitelisting and Blacklisting: Only want them to access a handful of websites or apps? You can whitelist approved ones and block everything else – including the main YouTube app.

3. Malware Protection: Control D also shields your kids from harmful malware and viruses. Independent tests have shown its malware filter blocks 99.97% of threats, ensuring their devices are safe and secure. That’s as close to a digital bodyguard as you can get.

4. Custom Profiles: Have different rules for different kids? No problem. Control D lets you create custom Profiles for each child so you can adjust filtering policies based on their age and needs.

5. Covers All Devices: Unlike YouTube Kids, which is limited to a single app, Control D works across all internet-connected devices – smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even gaming consoles – so your child is protected no matter what device they’re using.

Sign up for a free 30-day trial and explore the benefits of Control D yourself!

How to Set Up Control D

Sign up on the Control D website, set your filtering preferences, and apply them to your home network or individual devices. 

In just a few minutes, you’ll have full control over your family’s internet experience, making the web a safer place for your kids.

What is DNS Filtering?

DNS filtering is like an internet safety net. Every time a device tries to access a website, the Domain Name System (DNS) translates that website into an IP address. 

With DNS filtering, you decide which websites get through and which get blocked. It’s a way of controlling all internet traffic – not just YouTube.

What is YouTube Kids?

YouTube Kids is the child-friendly version of YouTube, designed to provide a safer browsing experience for young viewers. 

But even with its content filtering capabilities, some questionable videos may still slip through.

Luckily, the app has a mode that lets you hand-pick channels and videos for them so they avoid any unwanted surprises. 

Wrapping It Up

YouTube Kids offers a great way to manage what your children watch, but setting it to "Approved Content Only" gives you an even tighter grip on what’s being viewed. 

Combine this with the content filtering capabilities of Control D, and you’ve got a winning formula for ensuring your kids only see what’s appropriate – on YouTube and beyond. 

With both tools in your corner, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your little ones are navigating the digital world safely.