How to Restrict YouTube and Safari on Your Child's iPhone or iPad

For many families, YouTube and Safari are the two doors on a child's iPhone or iPad that open onto the whole internet. Apple's Screen Time lets you close them completely, narrow them down or leave them open with filters. Which you choose depends on your child's age and what they actually need.

This guide covers the current settings for 2026, plus the older layout if your family's devices haven't been updated.

Before you start

• Family Sharing: Set up Family Sharing and give your child their own Apple Account (a Child Account for kids under 13). This lets you manage settings from your own iPhone.
• Software versions: Apple refreshed its parental controls with iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. The new layout requires every device in the family group to be updated. If you can't update all of them, you can keep using the previous Screen Time layout or change settings directly on the child's device.
• Screen Time passcode: Choose a passcode your child doesn't know, and don't use the same one as your lock screen.

Option 1: Filter websites in Safari

Filtering keeps Safari available but limits what it shows. On iOS 27 and later, from the parent's device:

1. Open Settings and tap Family.
2. Tap your child's name.
3. Tap Apps & Websites and enter your Screen Time passcode if asked.
4. Under Restrictions, tap Filtering under Websites.
5. Choose one of the following:
   • Limit Adult Websites: Apple's automatic filter blocks many adult sites. You can add specific sites to always allow or never allow.
   • Approved Websites Only: your child can visit only the sites you approve. With Ask to Browse, they can send you a request for a new site, which you approve or decline from your device.

For young children, Approved Websites Only is the strongest choice. For tweens and teens, Limit Adult Websites plus a few blocked sites is usually more workable.

On the older layout (before iOS 27), on the child's device or through Family Sharing: go to Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, App Store, Media, Web & Games (labeled Content Restrictions on some versions), then Web Content.

Option 2: Block the Safari or YouTube app entirely

If your child doesn't need a browser at all, or you'd rather they watch video only in YouTube Kids:

1. From the parent's device, go to Settings, Family, your child's name and Apps & Websites.
2. Select the app (Safari or YouTube).
3. Tap Block App and confirm.

Blocked apps aren't deleted. They're dimmed on the Home Screen and won't open.

On the older layout, Safari is turned off through Content & Privacy Restrictions, then Allowed Apps. Third-party apps like YouTube are blocked by age rating or with an app limit.

Important: blocking the YouTube app doesn't stop YouTube in a browser. If Safari is still available, also add youtube.com to your never-allowed websites, or use Approved Websites Only.

Option 3: Restrict apps by age rating

Instead of blocking apps one by one, you can set an age limit for all apps. Apple's App Store ratings now include 4+, 9+, 13+, 16+ and 18+ tiers, and an app's rating can vary by country. Apps rated above the limit you choose are hidden and can't be downloaded.

On iOS 27, go to Settings, Family, your child's name, then Content & Privacy Restrictions, and choose an app rating under Content Restrictions. Check the YouTube listing in the App Store in your country to see its current rating and whether your chosen limit would hide it. Our guide to restricting apps by rating has more on how ratings work.

Option 4: Allow YouTube but control what's on it

Many parents don't want to block YouTube entirely; they want it to be age-appropriate. Combine Screen Time with YouTube's own tools:

• For young children, install YouTube Kids and block the main YouTube app. YouTube Kids offers age-based content levels and an option to approve every video and channel yourself. See our YouTube Kids app review.
• For tweens, use a supervised account in the main YouTube app, created through Google Family Link. You choose a content level and the account can't upload or comment.
• For teens, link accounts through YouTube's Family Center, and consider turning on Restricted Mode in the app (tap your profile picture, then Settings, General).

Remember that Restricted Mode set in the app doesn't carry over to Safari. If your child also watches in a browser, turn it on there too.

Option 5: Set time limits

Sometimes the issue isn't content; it's hours. On iOS 27, use Time Allowances for your child to set a daily limit for YouTube, for all video apps, or for Safari. Screen Time Schedule lets you block nonessential apps at bedtime or during homework.

Don't forget other browsers and apps

Kids sometimes find workarounds:

• Other browsers like Chrome or Firefox. Apple's web filters apply to Safari and other supported browsers, but it's simpler to block any browser apps you didn't install, or prevent new app installs without approval through Ask to Buy.
• Videos inside other apps. Social apps, games and messaging apps can play YouTube links or their own videos. Check app ratings and in-app settings.
• Other devices. An old iPad or a laptop may not have the same controls. Our kid-safe browsers guide covers alternatives.

Which setup fits which age?

Adjust based on your child, not just their birthday.

Checklist

• Set up Family Sharing and a Screen Time passcode your child doesn't know.
• Choose a Safari filter: Limit Adult Websites or Approved Websites Only.
• Block the YouTube app if needed, and add youtube.com to blocked websites too.
• Use YouTube Kids or a supervised account for younger kids.
• Turn on Restricted Mode in both the app and the browser for teens.
• Add time limits and turn on Ask to Buy so new apps need approval.