YouTube Restricted Mode Explained

YouTube Restricted Mode Explained

ScoutDNS supports YouTube's restricted modes, allowing for a level of content control on the platform. While individual videos cannot be allowed or blocked at the URL level, Google G Suite users can approve specific videos for others within the same G Suite domain.

YouTube Safe Mode settings configured in ScoutDNS apply at the network level for all users. However, G Suite account settings always take precedence over network settings.


Info
All YouTube video restrictions are set by YouTube's own and proprietary algorithm made in part by automation and user reports. 

You do not need to be a G Suite user to restrict YouTube content. ScoutDNS supports three YouTube restriction levels:

  • Strict – The most restrictive setting. While it does not block all videos, it filters out many based on an automated system, leaving only a limited selection available. Recommended for elementary school-aged children.

  • Moderate – Less restrictive than Strict Mode, allowing access to a much larger collection of videos. Suitable for high school-aged students.

  • Unrestricted – Disables both Strict and Moderate modes, allowing unrestricted YouTube access. Apply this setting only if you want all users in your organization to have full access.



Alert
Both Strict and Moderate modes disable live streaming and comments.

Warning
YouTube restriction modes can persist in both browser and application-level caches. If a device remains stuck after changing the setting, you may need to flush the DNS cache, browser cache, and application cache.

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