Although YouTube is a platform with content for everyone to enjoy, that does not mean that every video on the site is safe to watch. YouTube filters certain mature or potentially dangerous content so that only adults can watch it, in order to make the platform safer for children and teenagers to use.
This is a demonstration of YouTube’s Restricted Mode function, which allows parents and network administrators to restrict YouTube videos and channels that contain potentially harmful content. Here’s everything you need to know about YouTube Restricted Mode, including how to turn it on and off.
What is YouTube Restricted Mode, and how does it work?
It’s crucial to grasp YouTube Restricted Mode by first learning about the types of content that Google allows on its site.
When a YouTube channel is launched, the creator must ensure that the content it publishes adheres to certain rules, ensuring that it is suitable for viewing by YouTube’s wider audience. This usually implies that videos with sexual, hateful, or harmful content, as well as harsh language or adult themes, are not allowed.
Videos that violate the YouTube community guidelines (as they’re called) risk being demonetized, blocked, or removed. Manual review or account-wide AI screening are used to make these decisions. Even if the video isn’t awful enough to break these rules, Restricted Mode is applied if it contains problematic content.
This restricts the video’s audience to signed-in YouTube users who are of legal drinking age. Restricted videos aren’t usually found using the search feature, and they may be destroyed at a later date (after manual inspection). You won’t be able to watch restricted films like these if Restricted Mode is enabled on your account.
This is a decent (though not infallible) parental control function that helps to keep children from being exposed to harmful or unsafe information. The capability is also beneficial in some work or public contexts, such as on a business PC, where certain content may not be appropriate to see.
How to Enable or Disable Restricted Mode on YouTube on a PC or Mac
Restricted Mode is a security feature that can only be turned off if you’re using your Google account. To disable this function, you must be over the age of 18, as YouTube automatically blocks potentially harmful content for underage users.
It not only prevents the user from viewing or commenting on the video, but it also prevents the user from viewing or commenting on it. If you’re over the age of 18, you can disable the feature in your Google account settings. Because the feature is restricted depending on your date of birth, you won’t be able to disable Restricted Mode if you’re under the age of 18.
Open the YouTube website in your browser to enable or disable YouTube Restricted Mode on a PC or Mac. Select the Sign In button in the top right corner if you haven’t previously done so.
If you’re not redirected automatically after signing in, go back to the YouTube homepage. Select Restricted Mode from the list after selecting your profile symbol in the top right.
Select the Activate Restricted Mode slider to instantly engage or cancel YouTube Restricted Mode. When the mode is deactivated, the slider turns grey, and when it is activated, it turns blue. This will only activate (or deactivate) the mode in your open browser for a short period of time; you (and other users) can quickly disable it by repeating the procedures.
Pick the slider to enable Restricted Mode, then select the Lock Restricted Mode on this browser link below it to permanently enable Restricted Mode on your current browser. To remove the lock in the future, anyone using your current browser must enter your password.
At this point, you’ll need to sign in again, so follow the on-screen prompts and authenticate with your Google account’s username and password. Restricted Mode will now be enabled and locked in place, with the slider greyed out, meaning you won’t be able to modify it. Select your profile icon > Restricted Mode > Unlock restricted mode on this browser and authenticate with the correct account password to disable it.
The actions above should enable or disable Restricted Mode in your browser, but they aren’t account-wide, so you’ll have to repeat them on different devices.
On Mobile Devices, How to Enable or Disable YouTube Restricted Mode
If you’re using the YouTube app on an Android, iPhone, or iPad, make sure you’re logged in with the correct account before continuing. Depending on whether you’re using an Android or an Apple smartphone, the processes will differ.
On Android Mobile Phones
- Open the YouTube app on Android and pick your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select the Settings option from the Account menu.
- Tap the General option in the Settings menu.
Tap the Restricted Mode slider to enable or disable Restricted Mode. The mode is disabled if the slider is grey. The mode is enabled if the slider is blue. Only your current device will be affected by this setting.
Using an iPhone or iPad
Open the YouTube app on your iPhone or iPad and sign in to enable or disable YouTube Restricted Mode. After you’ve signed in, go to the top left and select your profile symbol.
To access the app’s settings menu, pick Settings from the drop-down menu.
Select the slider next to the Restricted Mode option in the Settings menu to enable or disable the feature. Restricted Mode is disabled on your device (but not on other devices) if the slider turns grey, while Restricted Mode is enabled if the slider turns blue.
On YouTube, there’s a video called “Protecting Yourself.”
Even if you use YouTube Restricted Mode, it isn’t flawless, and some dangerous videos may slip through the cracks. If that’s the case, you might want to look into various YouTube alternatives that provide more protection, especially if you’re concerned about your children or teenagers seeing inappropriate content.
If you’re an adult, there are plenty of YouTube hacks and shortcuts you may use to make better use of the platform. Consider a YouTube Premium subscription if you want to avoid the commercials (as long as YouTube is working properly). If you’re having problems, keep in mind that you can entirely deactivate your YouTube account.
