How to Block YouTube on Chromebook (Family Link & Managed Accounts)
Block YouTube on a Chromebook using Google Family Link, supervised Chrome profiles, and managed Chrome OS accounts. Free. Also covers school-issued Chromebooks.
What You'll Need
- The Chromebook your child uses
- A Google account for your child (under 13, managed by Family Link) — or a Google Workspace for Education account for school devices
- The Google Family Link app on your phone
School-Issued Chromebooks — Read This First
School-managed Chromebooks are often already restricted
If the Chromebook was issued by a school, it's likely managed by the school's Google Workspace for Education admin. These devices have school-wide policies applied — YouTube may already be blocked during school hours, or the device may be restricted to approved sites only.
Check before setting up Family Link: Sign in to the Chromebook with your child's school account and try visiting youtube.com. If it's blocked, the school has handled it.
For home use: School-managed Chromebooks may have different (looser) policies outside school hours, or when signed in with a personal account. Check with the school's IT department about their out-of-hours policy before making changes, as modifying a school-managed device may violate the school's acceptable use policy.
Method 1: Google Family Link (Personal Chromebook, Child Account)
This is the recommended method for personal Chromebooks used by children under 13.
Step 1: Set Up a Child Google Account and Family Link
Create a child Google account
Go to myaccount.google.com/family on your phone or computer. Click Add a family member → Create an account for a child. Fill in their name and date of birth.
Install the Family Link app on your phone
Search for Google Family Link on iOS or Android and install it. Sign in with your parent Google account.
Set up the child account on the Chromebook
On the Chromebook, click Add Person on the login screen (or sign out first). Sign in with the child's Google account. Family Link supervision activates automatically for accounts under 13.
Step 2: Block YouTube in Chrome
Open Family Link app → select your child
Tap their name to open their dashboard.
Go to Controls → Filters on Google Chrome → Manage Sites
Tap Controls → Filters on Google Chrome → Manage sites → Blocked → tap +.
Add YouTube domains to the blocked list
Add:
youtube.comyoutu.bemusic.youtube.com
Enable SafeSearch and content filters
Back in Chrome Filters: enable Try to block explicit sites. Also enable SafeSearch to filter Google search results.
Step 3: Block the YouTube Android App on Chromebook
Modern Chromebooks support Android apps. The YouTube Android app can be installed from the Google Play Store on Chrome OS.
Open Family Link → Controls → App Activity
Tap App activity (or Apps in newer versions). If the YouTube app is installed, it will appear here.
Block YouTube
Find YouTube in the list and toggle Allow app to OFF.
Require approval for all Play Store downloads
In Family Link → Controls → Google Play → set to All content requires approval. Every new app install sends you a notification to approve or deny.
Method 2: Chrome Browser Policy via Device Management (Advanced)
For technically confident parents who want to go deeper, Chrome OS supports device-level browser policies.
Enable Chrome OS developer mode (caution: wipes device)
This approach requires enabling developer tools. Note that this wipes all data on the Chromebook. Back up first. Press Esc + Refresh + Power simultaneously to enter recovery mode, then follow prompts to enable developer mode.
Use Chrome's URL blocking policy via command line
This is an advanced approach appropriate for IT-literate parents. A simpler alternative is to use Family Link + DNS filtering.
Easier alternative: use a Chrome extension + Family Link
Rather than device management, combine Family Link URL blocking with a Chrome extension like BlockSite. Family Link prevents the extension from being removed.
Chrome Extension: BlockSite (Controlled by Family Link)
Install BlockSite on the Chromebook
On the Chromebook, open Chrome → go to the Chrome Web Store → search "BlockSite" → install it.
Add YouTube to BlockSite's block list
Open BlockSite options → add youtube.com, youtu.be, and music.youtube.com. Set a password on BlockSite.
Prevent extension removal via Family Link
In Family Link, Chrome extensions can't easily be force-locked. However, with All app installs require approval set in Family Link, they also can't install competing extensions or remove system-managed ones on supervised accounts.
Method 3: Google Workspace for Education (Managed Accounts)
If you want enterprise-grade control of a personal Chromebook — and you're technically comfortable — Google Workspace for Education (with a school or organisational account) gives the most powerful Chrome OS management.
This is overkill for most parents. Use Family Link first.
Blocking YouTube Across Chromebook User Profiles
Chromebooks support multiple user profiles. If your child adds a secondary Google account — even a personal unmonitored one — they can bypass Family Link.
Restrict adding new accounts
In Family Link → Parental controls → look for Manage Google Account settings. Supervised accounts on Chromebooks cannot add non-family Google accounts without going through Family Link approval.
Check guest mode
Chromebooks have a Guest Mode accessible from the login screen — no Google account required, no Family Link controls, YouTube fully accessible. To disable Guest Mode, sign in as the device owner (your account) and go to Settings → Manage other people → toggle off Enable Guest browsing.
Disable Guest Mode properly
On the Chromebook signed in as the owner (your account): Settings → (search) Manage other people → toggle off Enable Guest browsing. This requires your account to be the device owner.
How Kids Bypass This
Guest Mode: As noted above, Guest Mode has no parental controls. Disable it via Settings → Manage other people → disable Guest browsing.
Adding a second Google account: On a supervised Chromebook, this requires Family Link approval for accounts under 13. For teens with unmanaged accounts, check that they haven't added a personal account in Settings → Accounts.
Linux environment (Crostini): Chromebooks with Linux enabled can run a Linux terminal — including command-line tools that access YouTube (yt-dlp, etc.). For younger children, disable Linux: Settings → Advanced → Developers → toggle Linux off. Family Link can restrict this too.
Android VPN apps: The YouTube Android app runs on Chromebook, and a VPN Android app could bypass DNS filtering. Block VPN apps in Family Link app controls.
Incognito mode: Incognito mode on Chrome is blocked for supervised accounts by Family Link automatically — but worth confirming.
Counter-Measures
Add DNS filtering on your router: CleanBrowsing Family DNS (185.228.168.168) blocks youtube.com at the network level. This catches any gap where Chrome's URL filter might miss an embedded YouTube player.
Review Family Link activity weekly: Family Link provides weekly summaries showing which sites were visited, how long was spent in Chrome, and which apps were used. Check it every Sunday.
Keep the Chromebook in shared family spaces: The most effective parental control is physical — a Chromebook used in the living room is watched by default.
Discuss it: Chromebook users tend to be older (school-age). An open conversation about why YouTube is blocked — and what they can do instead — reduces the motivation to find workarounds.
Related Guides
How to Block YouTube on Android (Google Family Link)
Block YouTube on Android phones and tablets using Google Family Link. Free, works on all Android devices with a child Google account.
By MethodBlock YouTube with DNS Filtering (All Devices, Home Network)
Use DNS filtering to block YouTube on every device connected to your home Wi-Fi — including smart TVs, game consoles, and anything else. Free options available.
By DeviceHow to Block YouTube on Windows PC (All Methods)
Block YouTube on Windows using Microsoft Family Safety, the hosts file, browser extensions, and Windows parental controls. Includes beginner and advanced methods.
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