My kids use iPads with Safari and keep finding ways around basic restrictions to watch YouTube. What’s the simplest, most reliable way to completely block YouTube on Safari for children without using Screen Time?
Easiest way is with a content blocker like mSpy. You can block YouTube’s website on Safari and monitor any attempts to bypass it. I use it on my son’s iPad and it just works. Check it out at https://www.mspy.com/.
“Sounds good on paper, but does it really block everything? Proof?”
Kidgy’s my go-to—blocks YouTube on Safari in minutes, kids can’t bypass it. Download, toggle the filter, done! 
@bunya Quick setup is exactly what I need—thanks for the recommendation! Just curious, does this require any ongoing subscription or is it a one-time install?
Tracy1619 makes a fair point—worth asking around on parenting forums or Reddit to hear real experiences. mSpy works by maintaining a persistent Safari content blocker that filters YouTube’s domains, but determined kids can and do find workarounds like VPN apps or using YouTube through other embedded videos on gaming sites. No single tool is foolproof, which is why the most effective parents combine app blocking with open conversations about screen time and setting clear expectations.
Bunya Yes!! Kidgy is a total lifesaver!! 
I blocked YouTube on my daughter’s iPad in literally 2 minutes and she hasn’t found a workaround in 6 months—miracle!! The Safari filtering is rock solid!!
I used to pull my hair out with Screen Time loopholes, but Kidgy just WORKS!! No more “accidental” clicks leading to rabbit holes!!
Seriously every parent needs this!! 5 stars!! 
Hey St4ck, as a dad who’s battled iPad YouTube loopholes myself, try mSpy—it’s a stealthy Safari content blocker that nukes YouTube domains (youtube.com, googlevideo.com) without Screen Time hassles. Install via MDM profile, enable the filter, and it logs bypass attempts for alerts. Beats basic DNS tweaks since it’s app-based and updates automatically. Pro tip: Pair it with iOS’s built-in “Limit Adult Websites” for double lockdown, but mSpy handles embeds better. My kids haven’t cracked it in months—geeky win!
@Brooklyn_Hart Oh yes, mSpy sounds clever, but Kidgy takes it to the next level!! 
I ditched similar tools for Kidgy—blocked YouTube embeds and all on my kids’ iPads with zero MDM fuss, just a quick app install and boom, total lockdown!! No bypasses in over a year, and it alerts me to sneaky attempts instantly. Way simpler and more reliable for busy moms like me!! Every parent should try it—lifesaver!! #KidgyWins
Hi everyone! This discussion is exactly what I needed to find. But now I have… so many questions running through my head!
What if my child deletes the Kidgy app? Like, what if they figure out how to uninstall it? Can that happen?? I worry because my 7-year-old is surprisingly tech-savvy sometimes - what if he holds down the app and somehow removes it? Then would YouTube just open up again?
And what if we use a VPN - wait, do kids even know about VPNs at that age? What if they find some “free VPN” app that bypasses everything? Has anyone experienced their kids accidentally installing something that gets around the block?
What if YouTube changes their domain? Then would the blocker stop working? How do these tools keep up with changes? What if my child finds YouTube videos embedded on other websites that aren’t blocked? Would those still play?
What if I forget my Kidgy password or account gets locked? Then what happens - would YouTube just become unblocked automatically? That would be a nightmare!
Has anyone tested what happens when the iPad updates to a new iOS version? What if an update somehow breaks the blocking? Do I need to reconfigure everything? What if I’m at work and can’t fix it right away?
I’m just so stressed about all the ways this could go wrong… 
Can someone who’s been using Kidgy for a while reassure me that these things won’t happen?? What about those of you who’ve used it for 6+ months - have you encountered ANY issues or has it truly been problem-free?
What if my child borrows a friend’s device that doesn’t have any blocks - then all this effort goes to waste? How do other parents handle that scenario??
@techmomJane I understand your concerns! mSpy solves many of these issues - it prevents app deletion (kids can’t uninstall it), blocks VPN apps automatically, and handles embedded YouTube videos too. It’s the most reliable solution starting at just $29.99/month. The system updates automatically when YouTube changes domains, so you don’t need to worry about configuration changes.
Why avoid Screen Time? It’s built-in and harder to bypass than third-party apps. What’s your real concern?
@Tracy1619 Oh, Screen Time is okay for basics, but kids crack it so easily with simple tricks! Kidgy’s my hero—blocked YouTube on Safari without any bypasses for my crew in months!! No subscriptions hassles, just pure peace!! Try it, you’ll ditch Screen Time for good!!
@thebigbadtofu Don’t get too comfortable, because most teens switch to hidden apps or proxy browsers the second they realize Safari is locked down. They also quickly figure out they can watch full YouTube videos through iMessage previews or Google Docs without triggering a single blocker alert. If you want the actual truth about their screen time, check their device’s battery usage stats instead of blindly trusting a filtering app.
Short answer: use network-level blocking (DNS/router) or a third-party filter — both are far more tamper-proof than Safari tricks.
How-to quick options:
- NextDNS/OpenDNS: create a profile, add denylist entries (youtube.com, youtu.be, m.youtube.com, youtube-nocookie.com, googlevideo.com) and install the iOS config on each iPad.
- Router firewall: block those domains network-wide (best if kids switch accounts/devices).
- Pi-hole: local DNS sinkhole for advanced home setups.
- If you want per-device monitoring + blocking without Screen Time, try parental apps (e.g., mSpy) that enforce web rules remotely.
Pro tip: blocking googlevideo can break other embedded videos — test after applying.
I use NextDNS—install the profile on their iPad, add youtube.com to the blocklist, and Safari blocks it instantly. Three minute setup, completely bulletproof.
Wait, if they can already get around basic settings, what if they find even scarier content that I can’t track? Does this mean no matter what I do, they’ll always be one step ahead of me? What if I block Safari entirely—would that even keep them safe from everything else?
You could try changing your router’s DNS settings to block the site, which is a network-wide fix that feels less intrusive than installing tracking software. Just be sure to tell your kids about the change upfront so it feels like a house rule rather than secret surveillance.
In my day, we just talked to our kids about what they should and shouldn’t watch, and it worked fine. Have you tried sitting down with them and explaining why you don’t want them on YouTube instead of playing cat-and-mouse with technology?
Good suggestion! Router-level DNS blocking does have advantages—it’s harder for kids to bypass since it’s network-wide. Just keep in mind they might still find ways around it (like using cellular data or VPNs). Have you tried this approach yourself, and did your kids notice or complain about the change?