Over the years, YouTube has released several features to keep inappropriate content off the platform. However, there are over 400 hours of content uploaded to YouTube each minute and sometimes harmful content slips through the cracks. To protect children and make YouTube a safer place, the platform created Restricted Mode. Keep reading to learn more about Restricted Mode and how to enable it on your devices. 

The Meaning and Usage of Restricted Mode

Creators on the YouTube platform must adhere to the community guidelines to avoid having their content or account demonetized, blocked, or removed. Content in violation of these guidelines can be manually flagged by other YouTube users or detected by the platform’s AI screening. Once the content is flagged, in addition to undergoing a review by the YouTube team, it gets a “restricted” status assigned to it. 

If you have Restricted Mode enabled on a YouTube account, you will not be able to search for any restricted content and it won’t show up in your search results. In addition to parents of young children who wish to control what they view online, companies may use the feature on work computers to filter out inappropriate content in the workplace. 

If you’re a creator who suspects their content is hidden under Restricted Mode, toggle your settings on and off and try searching for your videos under both conditions. If you discover your content is restricted and you believe it is in error, contact the YouTube support team and request an appeal of the decision.

The Origin of Restricted Mode

YouTube first released its Restricted Mode feature in 2010 to make the platform safer for its younger users. Although YouTube’s algorithm works to filter out harmful or inappropriate content, it’s not fool-proof. Parents have reported countless incidents of children being exposed to such content, even with additional internet and television filters in place. YouTube’s Restricted Mode is one of many parental-focused controls the platform has rolled out over the years. 

In addition to Restricted Mode, the platform also released the YouTube Kids app. Compared to the standard version of YouTube, this version of the platform has a much smaller selection of content. YouTube Kids also has its own set of stricter community guidelines which creators must adhere to. 

How To Use Restricted Mode on YouTube

The method of enabling Restricted Mode on your YouTube account depends on whether you’re using your computer or smartphone. If you are under 18, YouTube automatically places Restricted Mode on your account and you cannot disable it. 

PC or Mac

• First, open the YouTube website in your browser and sign into your account.
• From the YouTube homepage, click on your profile icon in the top right corner, then select Restricted Mode from the menu.
• To enable or disable Restricted Mode, click on the Activate Restricted Mode toggle switch. When activated, the switch will turn blue. When the feature is disabled, it will appear gray.
• To permanently enable Restricted Mode in your web browser, enable Restricted Mode, then click the “Lock Restricted Mode on this browser” link below. To unlock and remove Restricted Mode, you will need to enter the password to your YouTube account.

Android Phone

• From your Android smartphone, open the YouTube app.
• Click your profile icon in the top right corner.
• Next, go to the Account menu and click Settings.
• Click the General link within the Settings menu.
• To turn Restricted Mode on or off, click the Restricted Mode toggle switch. Just like on your Mac or PC, the switch will appear gray if the feature is disabled and blue when it is turned on.

iPhone or iPad

• On your iPhone or iPad, open the YouTube app and make sure you’re signed in. 
• Next, click the profile icon in the top left corner.
• Then, click Settings to view the menu.
• From the Settings menu, toggle the Restricted Mode switch to turn the feature on or off. The switch will appear either gray if the feature is off, or blue if it’s on.

Conclusion

With YouTube’s Restricted Mode in place, you’re less likely to encounter any harmful or inappropriate content. If you have young children at home or want to make the internet in your workplace safer, adjusting your Restricted Mode settings may be a smart choice. To learn more about how to use Restricted Mode on YouTube, head to the platform’s official website.