How to block YouTube on a computer

Why block YouTube?

Today, you’d be hard-pressed to find a computer browser without a bookmark for www.youtube.com, whether on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android devices. Even with new additions to the scene like TikTok, the YouTube website is still going strong.

However, there are reasons why you might want to block the YouTube app from your system. Firstly, not every YouTube channel has tasteful videos. Although the platform goes to great lengths to ensure its content is family-friendly, many videos still slip through the system. Inappropriate content can happen even on YouTube Kids, a section of the site exclusively for children.

Apart from possible adult content, YouTube videos can become a massive distraction. Imagine you open YouTube, and soon enough, you’ve binged hours of content. For many people, blocking the site is the most efficient, if not the only, way to deal with this issue.

Different ways to block YouTube on your computer

Whether you’re on a Chromebook, Apple, or Windows computer, you can employ a range of tools to block YouTube. From host tinkering to dedicated apps, here are the best ways to make YouTube disappear from your computer.

Edit the Hosts file

This method is a bit in-depth, but it functions on Windows and Mac computers and works for any web browser.

Locate the “Hosts” file on your computer. On Windows, it will be in C:windowssystem32, in the “Drivers” folder under “etc.” On Mac, it will be under privateetchosts.

Open the “Hosts” file - you’ll need software for text documents, such as Notepad. Then, enter the IP address 127.0.0.1, press “Tab,” and type in “youtube.com.” For Google Chrome browsers, enter the same numbers, hit “Space,” then type “www.youtube.com.”

You can do the same for the mobile version of the site since that one will pop up on your computer, too. To block that version, repeat the same process but enter “m.youtube.com” instead of the regular address.

Once you’ve made the edits, save the file (press “Save,” not “Save As”) and restart your computer. After the system reboots, YouTube will be blocked on all browsers, including Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Edge.

Change the DNS settings

You can adjust your DNS to allow you to block sites on the computer. Go to the following settings page:

• On Windows: Network Connections > Change adapter options. Right-click your network, select “Properties” from the drop-down menu, go to “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4),” then to “Properties” again.
• On Mac: System Preferences > Network. Choose your network, click “Advanced,” and go to the “DNS” tab.

You’ll need to enter the following DNS addresses on either system: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220. This will change your settings to OpenDNS.

To activate OpenDNS, you’ll need to create an account online by visiting their website. After that, you’ll find website blocking options in the OpenDNS settings. Choose to block all video-sharing sites and YouTube will be blocked. You can also use OpenDNS to block other site categories like social media.

Use browser extensions

If the first two methods sound too complex, there’s an easier way. You can use a blocker app for your browser of choice. Try apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey Blocker, SelfControl, Friday, or RescueTime. Note that some apps create permanent changes and don’t allow you to unblock sites on their lists.

Use Screen Time (Mac)

Mac computers have a Screen Time function (previously Parental Control) for website blocking. Go to System Preferences to find this option. Then, create an account and add the YouTube address to Screen Time.

Of course, you can add more sites to the list and the app will block them. Note that Screen Time will work on Safari exclusively and won’t apply to other browsers.

Make sure to block YouTube on your phone, too

If you only block YouTube on your computer, the distraction will still be there on your mobile devices. Luckily, you can find the appropriate apps on the Google Play Store for Android devices or the App Store for iPhones or iPads.

Speechify - an alternative to YouTube

If you’ve grown accustomed to YouTube, the change might seem strange. However, you can find a better way to make your time online fun, enjoyable, and productive. All you’ll need is a quality text to speech tool.

Speechify is an unparalleled text to speech engine that will read any text aloud, including web pages, text documents, written pages, and more. The platform also has extensive customization options, allowing you to choose from various narrator voices and adjust the reading speed.

As soon as you sign up for Speechify, you can start uploading texts and picking your options. The service will become your go-to solution and provide all of the advantages of text to speech. In particular, you’ll benefit from easier text reading without tiring your eyes, a more immersive experience, and improved focus.

Best of all, you can try Speechify for free right now. Go to the official website and sign up to hear the text to speech engine in action.

FAQ

How can I block YouTube?

There are several ways to block YouTube. You can edit the hosts file, tweak your router settings, or use website-blocking apps.

How do you block websites on a computer?

Computers allow you to adjust host commands and effectively block YouTube on the entire computer, be it Windows or Mac. However, if you want to avoid technicalities, you can use a website blocker.

How do I block YouTube on all browsers on my laptop?

The same methods that apply to computers will work on laptops. Additionally, since a laptop will likely connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, you can use wireless settings to block websites, including YouTube.

How do I block YouTube on the computer?

You will block YouTube by adding it to the blacklist of your settings or app of choice.

What are some ways to block YouTube?

In essence, blocking YouTube is the same as blocking any other site. Employ host commands or blocking apps on your computer, or get a mobile app for Android or iOS devices.