YouTube has grown to become one of the most popular platforms for sharing and discovering video content. With millions of videos uploaded every day, YouTube caters to a diverse audience, including children, teenagers, and adults. However, due to the vastness and open nature of the platform, there may be content that some viewers find inappropriate or unsuitable, especially for younger audiences. To address these concerns, YouTube introduced a feature called “Restricted Mode.” In this article, we will explore what Restricted Mode is, why it is essential, and how you can enable it to create a safer viewing experience for yourself or others.
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What is Restricted Mode on Youtube?
The restricted mode in YouTube is a feature that allows users to filter out potentially mature or inappropriate content from search results, recommendations, and comments. When activated, it aims to create a safer viewing experience, especially for younger audiences or in educational settings. This mode hides videos that may contain explicit language, violence, or other sensitive material, making YouTube content more family-friendly.
It is primarily used by parents, educators, and institutions to control the type of content accessible to children and students. Restricted mode relies on community flagging, age restrictions, and other signals to identify potentially unsuitable content.
While it helps maintain a safer environment, it’s not foolproof and might inadvertently block some appropriate content. Users can enable or disable this feature from the account settings or individual videos, depending on their preferences and content requirements.
Read Also: What is YouTube Incognito and How to Use it?
How to Enable YouTube Restricted Mode on Computer, Android Phone & iPhone
Enabling Restricted Mode on YouTube is possible on both computers and mobile devices. Below are the steps for each device:
Computer
1. To enable Restricted Mode on YouTube, start by signing in to your YouTube account.
2. Then, access your profile icon located in the top right corner of the page.
3. Scroll down to the bottom and find the option labeled “Restricted Mode: Off“. A dialog box will appear upon clicking the option.
4. In this dialog box, you’ll see a switch next to “Activate Restricted Mode“.
5. Toggle the switch to turn on Restricted Mode. Finally, confirm your selection by clicking “Save“.
Quick Note: Remember that Restricted Mode operates at the browser level, so you must enable it individually on each browser you use. Additionally, if you have multiple accounts on YouTube, ensure that you enable Restricted Mode separately for each account to apply the filtering appropriately.
iPhone & iPad
1. To activate Restricted Mode on the YouTube app, begin by opening the app on your device.
2. Locate and tap on your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Next, select “Settings” followed by “General” and then choose “Restricted Mode Filtering“.
4. Within the filtering options, opt for “Strict” to enable Restricted Mode.
Quick Note: Keep in mind that Restricted Mode functions at the app level, meaning you must enable it individually on each device you use. Additionally, if you have multiple YouTube accounts, ensure that you enable Restricted Mode for each account separately to maintain appropriate content filtering.
Android
1. To enable Restricted Mode on the YouTube app, start by opening the app on your device.
2. Then, tap on your profile icon located in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Next, select “Settings” and then tap on “General”.
4. In the General settings, you’ll find a slider next to “Restricted Mode”.
5. Toggle the slider to turn on Restricted Mode. Finally, confirm your selection by tapping “OK”.
Please take note that Restricted Mode operates at the app level. This means that you must individually enable it on every device you use to access YouTube. Moreover, if you have multiple accounts on YouTube, you must enable Restricted Mode for each account separately to ensure content filtering is applied appropriately.
Wrap-Up: YouTube’s Restricted Mode is a valuable tool for creating a safer viewing experience, particularly for younger audiences and those who prefer to avoid mature or sensitive content. By enabling this feature, you can filter out potentially inappropriate videos and enjoy a more controlled environment on the platform. Whether you are a parent, educator, or individual user, taking advantage of Restricted Mode ensures a more family-friendly and respectful YouTube experience for all.