How to Block YouTube on PlayStation (PS5 & PS4, 2026)
Block YouTube on PS5 and PS4 using PlayStation Family Management. Restrict the YouTube app, web browser, and set screen time limits. Free. Updated for 2026.
What You'll Need
- The PlayStation (PS5 or PS4) your child uses
- A PlayStation Network (PSN) account for your child — or you'll create one
- Your own PSN account (to become the Family Manager)
- About 20 minutes
PlayStation Family Management is Sony's parental controls system. A Family Manager account (yours) oversees up to 6 family members. Child accounts have restrictions set by the family manager, including YouTube app access and browser access.
PS5 and PS4 — same system, slightly different menus
PlayStation Family Management works identically for PS5 and PS4. The menus on the console itself differ slightly between generations, but the main management interface is at account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com in a browser — the same for both.
Part 1: Set Up PlayStation Family Management
Step 1: Become the Family Manager
Go to account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com
On a computer or phone browser, sign in with your PSN account at account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com.
Go to Family Management
Under Account → Family Management. If you haven't set this up before, click Set Up Now.
You are now the Family Manager
Your account becomes the Family Manager — the only account that can manage family settings. This role cannot be transferred without creating a new family group.
Step 2: Create a Child Account (or Add an Existing Account)
Add a child to your family
In Family Management, click Add Family Member → Add a Child. You'll enter their date of birth. PlayStation creates a child account supervised by you.
Set up their account on the PlayStation
On the PS5 or PS4, at the main menu, go to Settings → Users and Accounts → Add User → Sign in to PSN using the child's new account credentials.
Verify the account is linked to your Family Management
Back at account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com → Family Management — you should see your child's account listed as a family member.
Part 2: Block the YouTube App
On the PlayStation console — go to Settings
On PS5: Press the PlayStation button → Settings (gear icon, top right) → Family and Parental Controls → PS5 Console Restrictions → enter or create a restriction passcode.
On PS4: Settings → Parental Controls → PS4 System Restrictions → enter the default passcode (0000) or your custom one.
Block Application Use
On PS5: Settings → Family and Parental Controls → PS5 Console Restrictions → Application Restriction Level → set to Age 12 or Under to block most third-party apps including YouTube.
On PS4: Settings → Parental Controls → Restrict Use of PS4 Features → Application Restriction → set to a level that restricts third-party applications.
Block YouTube specifically via Family Management online
At account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com → Family Management → select your child → Applications, Devices and Services:
- Toggle YouTube → OFF if visible in the list
- Set Monthly Spending Limit to $0 to prevent purchases
Set a Restriction Passcode your child doesn't know
On PS5: Settings → Family and Parental Controls → PS5 Console Restrictions → Change Passcode. On PS4: Settings → Parental Controls → Change Passcode. Default is 0000 — change it immediately.
Part 3: Restrict the PlayStation Web Browser
Both PS5 and PS4 have a web browser. YouTube works fully in the browser.
PS5 — Restrict the Web Browser
Go to Settings → Family and Parental Controls → PS5 Console Restrictions
Enter your restriction passcode.
Find Internet Browser
Under restriction settings, find Internet Browser and set it to Not Allowed or toggle it off. When restricted, accessing the browser asks for the restriction passcode.
PS4 — Restrict the Web Browser
Go to Settings → Parental Controls → Restrict Use of PS4 Features
Enter your passcode.
Set Internet Browser to Not Allowed
Find Internet Browser in the list and change its rating to Not Allowed.
Part 4: Set Monthly Play Time Limits and Bedtime Restrictions
Go to Family Management online → select your child
At account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com → Family Management → click your child's account.
Set Play Time Controls
Under Playtime Settings → enable Playtime Management. Set:
- Monthly playtime limit: e.g. 30 hours
- Daily playtime limit: e.g. 2 hours per day
- Bedtime restriction: e.g. console locks at 9pm, unlocks at 7am
Enable notifications
Enable Notify me when my child wants to play past their limit — you'll receive a notification and can approve or deny extra time.
Part 5: Block YouTube at the Router as a Backup
PlayStation parental controls are solid but rely on the restriction passcode remaining secret.
Add router-level DNS filtering as a second layer. See the DNS filtering guide for full instructions.
Quick setup: change your router's DNS to:
- CleanBrowsing Family:
185.228.168.168/185.228.169.168
This blocks youtube.com on the PlayStation even if the restriction passcode is bypassed.
How Kids Bypass This
Default passcode (0000): The most common bypass. If you never changed the restriction passcode from the default 0000, your child likely already knows it. Change it immediately and use a number they couldn't guess.
Guest account on the PlayStation: On PS4, a local Guest account has no Family Management restrictions applied. On PS5, users can add a local account (Settings → Users and Accounts → Add User → Use This PS5 Without Signing in to PSN). Set a restriction on account creation: PS5 Console Restrictions → New User Creation and Guest Login → Not Allowed.
Remote Play: PS Remote Play lets you play the PS4/PS5 from a phone, tablet, or PC. If your child has the Remote Play app on an unrestricted device, they can potentially use the PS web browser remotely. This is an edge case — but disable Remote Play if you want to close it: Settings → System → Remote Play → untick Enable Remote Play.
Changing the PSN child account to adult: Child accounts on PSN automatically convert to adult accounts when the date of birth reaches 18. For teenagers approaching that age, this is a concern — but before 18 the account remains restricted.
Screen recording workaround: PS5 has a Share/Create button that can capture screen video. This doesn't bypass YouTube blocking but is worth knowing about for other content concerns.
Counter-Measures
Change the default restriction passcode immediately. The single most common bypass is the default 0000 passcode. Do this now if you haven't.
DNS filtering is your backstop: Router-level DNS blocking catches any web browser access to YouTube regardless of whether the passcode has been discovered. It's the most reliable second layer for a TV-connected console.
Monthly playtime reports: Sony sends monthly activity emails to the Family Manager. Review them to spot unusual usage patterns.
Put the console in a shared space: Gaming consoles in bedrooms are significantly harder to moderate. A PS4/PS5 in the lounge room is self-moderating because parents walk past.
Check the Trophy list: PlayStation tracks every game and app used with timestamps in the Trophy section. If YouTube was accessed, there may be a trophy notification record. This is a secondary indicator, not a primary control.
Related Guides
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By MethodBlock YouTube with DNS Filtering (All Devices, Home Network, 2026)
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You Might Also Need
Device-level blocking works best when paired with a network-level block.
Block YouTube with DNS Filtering (All Devices, Home Network, 2026)
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Block YouTube on Any Router — Generic Guide (2026)
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