Does Net Nanny actually block YouTube, or just monitor it?

Net Nanny can block YouTube outright — not just monitor it. You can set it to block the YouTube app and youtube.com entirely, or use time-limit controls to allow limited access. See the guide above for exact steps.

Is it free to block YouTube with Net Nanny?

The core method is free, but some advanced features (like detailed reporting or multi-device management) may require a paid upgrade, typically around $5–10/month.

Can my child bypass this YouTube block?

Bypass risk is low. Once set up with a strong password your child doesn't know, Net Nanny is difficult to work around. The most common bypass attempt is switching to mobile data instead of Wi-Fi — pair it with device-level controls if that's a concern.

What happens when my child uses a different device not covered by this solution?

Most parental control products are device-specific or require installation on each device. For a truly network-wide block that covers every device automatically (including new ones), pair your chosen product with a router-level or DNS-level block.

How to Block YouTube with Net Nanny (2026)

Use Net Nanny to block YouTube on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Subscription-based parental control with content filtering and screen time. Setup guide. Updated for 2026.

Last updated 11 April 2026·

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What Is Net Nanny?

Net Nanny is a subscription-based parental control application that blocks inappropriate websites, restricts specific apps, enforces content categories, and tracks internet usage across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Pricing:

1 device: ~$39.99/year
5 devices (Family Protection Pass): ~$89.99/year
20 devices (Family Protect Home Suite): ~$149.99/year

Supported platforms:

Windows 10 and 11
macOS (10.13 Mojave and later)
iOS (iPhone and iPad)
Android (phones and tablets)

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Net Nanny vs free alternatives

Net Nanny's main advantage over free tools (iOS Screen Time, Android Family Link) is cross-platform consistency — one dashboard covering all your family's devices regardless of OS. If all your children's devices are either all-Apple or all-Android, the free platform tools are likely sufficient.

Part 1: Set Up Net Nanny

Create a Net Nanny account

Go to netnanny.com and purchase a subscription. Create an account with your email address during checkout.

After purchase, log in at familyfeed.netnanny.com or open the Net Nanny app on your phone. This is your control centre.

Add a child profile

In the dashboard: + Add Child → enter your child's name and date of birth. Net Nanny automatically suggests a content filter level based on their age. You can adjust this.

Install Net Nanny on their device

In the child's profile, tap Add Device → follow the instructions for their platform:

Windows/Mac: Download the Net Nanny desktop app, run the installer, and enter the activation code from your dashboard.
iOS: Install the Net Nanny app and follow the VPN profile setup prompts in iOS Settings.
Android: Install the Net Nanny app and grant Device Administrator and Accessibility permissions when prompted.

Part 2: Block YouTube via Content Categories

Go to the child's profile → Content Filter

In the dashboard: select the child → Content Filter.

Find and block Video Sharing or Streaming Media

Net Nanny organises the web into content categories. Find Video Sharing (or Streaming Media) and set it to Block. This blocks YouTube and similar video platforms.

For a more targeted block (YouTube only, not all video), use the custom URL block in the next step.

Add YouTube as a custom blocked site

In Content Filter → Custom Allow/Block (or Custom URLs) → Block tab → Add → enter:

youtube.com
youtu.be
music.youtube.com
googlevideo.com

Click Save. These domains are now blocked in all browsers and the YouTube app on their device.

Part 3: Block the YouTube App Specifically

Go to the child's profile → App Controls (or Application Blocking)

In the dashboard: select the child → App Controls (available on Windows, Mac, and Android).

Find YouTube in the installed apps list

Net Nanny displays apps detected on the device. Find YouTube → set to Block. The app will be inaccessible on their device even if the URL filter is somehow bypassed.

Part 4: Set Screen Time Limits

Go to the child's profile → Time Limits or Screen Time

In the dashboard: Time Limits → set daily usage limits (how many hours per day) and a schedule (which hours are allowed).

Set allowed hours

Toggle on specific hour ranges when internet access is allowed (e.g. 3pm–8pm on school days, 9am–9pm on weekends). Outside these hours, internet access is blocked entirely on their device.

Set a daily internet time budget

Separately, set a maximum daily internet hours. When the budget is used up for the day, internet access pauses until the next day.

Part 5: Monitor Activity Reports

View the Family Feed

The Net Nanny dashboard includes a Family Feed — a real-time activity log showing websites visited, searches made, apps opened, and blocked attempts. Review it periodically to see if YouTube blocking is working or being tested.

Receive alert notifications

In dashboard settings, enable Email Alerts for blocked attempts. You'll receive an email when your child tries to access YouTube (or any blocked site), so you don't need to check the dashboard manually.

Platform-Specific Notes

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Net Nanny on iOS uses a VPN profile to filter traffic — similar to Qustodio's iOS approach. It installs a VPN configuration that routes traffic through Net Nanny's filtering service. Your child's device will show a VPN icon when active. The VPN profile requires the Net Nanny PIN to remove.

Limitation: iOS users can turn off the Net Nanny VPN temporarily by going to Settings → VPN — though this requires confirming with the Net Nanny PIN. A factory reset removes Net Nanny entirely.

Android

Net Nanny on Android installs with Device Administrator access and Accessibility Service access, which makes it harder to uninstall without the PIN. Android blocking is generally more robust than iOS.

Windows

Net Nanny on Windows installs as a system service. It filters Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and other browsers. App blocking is available on Windows.

Mac

Net Nanny on Mac requires a system extension. Web filtering is applied across browsers. Note: macOS Screen Time (free) is often comparable to Net Nanny on Mac — consider whether the subscription cost is justified if Mac is your only platform.

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How Kids Bypass This

iOS VPN profile removal: On iOS, the Net Nanny VPN profile requires the PIN to remove, but a factory reset will wipe it. Monitor for unexpected resets.

Net Nanny can't cover Smart TVs or game consoles: Net Nanny installs on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android only. YouTube on smart TVs, Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch is not covered. Use device-specific controls or router DNS filtering for those devices.

DNS bypass via manual device settings: A technically savvy user can potentially bypass VPN-based filtering via iOS Profile settings or Android network settings. Router-level DNS filtering is an independent fallback.

Subscription discontinuity: Your parental controls stop working if the subscription lapses. This is a risk with subscription-based software that doesn't apply to free platform tools (Screen Time, Family Link) or free DNS filtering.

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Counter-Measures

Net Nanny's cross-platform dashboard is its main value: If you have a Windows PC, an iPad, and an Android phone all needing coverage, Net Nanny gives you one place to manage all of them. For single-platform households, free tools are likely sufficient.

Pair with router DNS filtering: Net Nanny covers devices on mobile data and all Wi-Fi networks. Router DNS filtering covers home Wi-Fi. The combination ensures YouTube is blocked both at the device and network level.

Use alert notifications proactively: The blocked-attempt notifications are genuinely useful — they tell you when your child is trying to access YouTube without you having to check the dashboard.

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