Restricted Mode on YouTube

Scope

Works at a browser level, requiring activation in each browser installed on a device.

Purpose

To limit access to videos flagged as inappropriate or mature, and to screen out potentially mature content.

Availability

Optional setting.

Default State

Turned off for viewers by default.

Music Filtering

Filters music and videos in YouTube Music, skipping explicit content if played.

Impact on Viewing

Limits the YouTube experience, can prevent viewing of comments on videos.

Activation Methods

Can be turned on by individual users for personal accounts, or by network administrators for computers in libraries, schools, universities, and other public institutions.

Primary Filtering Mechanism

Automated system (algorithms) checking signals like video title, description, metadata, and language.

Secondary Filtering Mechanism

Human reviewers applying age restrictions.

2010-XX-XX

Reviewed by: Paul Bischoff Tech Writer, Privacy Advocate and VPN Expert Updated: October 24, 2024 YouTube’s Restricted Mode is an optional feature that has existed since 2010. It is designed to limit access to videos flagged as inappropriate or mature. While it’s particularly useful for certain groups, like libraries, schools, and public institutions, that want a more controlled viewing experience, it can be frustrating when it blocks content you’re trying to watch. [...] 1. Open your browser and go to the YouTube homepage. 2. Logged into your account. 3. Click on your profile icon located in the top-right corner of the screen. 4. In the dropdown menu, select “Restricted Mode”. 5. Toggle the switch to turn “Restricted Mode” on or off as desired. ## Why is YouTube stuck on Restricted Mode? Turning off Restricted Mode on YouTube can be tricky at times. There are several reasons why it might stay enabled. Here are some potential solutions to this issue: [...] To manage your viewing experience on YouTube, follow the steps below to enable or disable Restricted Mode on both the website and the app. Whether you want to filter out specific content or access a wider range of videos, knowing how to toggle this setting can improve your overall experience. Here’s how to enable YouTube’s Restricted Mode in just a few seconds:

Restricted Mode is an optional setting that you can use on YouTube. This feature can help screen out potentially mature content that you or others using your devices may prefer not to view. Computers in libraries, universities, and other public institutions may have Restricted Mode turned on by a network administrator. Note: Turning on Restricted Mode isn’t the same as age-restricting videos. Learn more about age-restricted content. [...] If you’ve entered your username and password, and Restricted Mode remains on, you can check your settings on the YouTube content restrictions page for more info. The tool will assess whether an administrator set up these restrictions, or if they are on your personal account. A check mark will display beside the relevant restriction. If more help is needed, the tool will guide you toward the next step for troubleshooting. [...] We use many signals, like video title, description, metadata, Community Guidelines reviews, and age restrictions to identify and filter out potentially mature content. Music and videos in YouTube Music are also filtered in Restricted Mode. You will still see content marked Explicit, but it’s skipped if you try to play it. Artists and labels mark albums and songs Explicit based on their own guidelines.

Restricted Mode is an optional setting that has been available since 2010. A small subset of users, such as libraries, schools, and public institutions, who choose to have a more limited viewing experience on YouTube use Restricted Mode. Note: Restricted Mode is turned off for viewers by default. Learn how to turn Restricted Mode on or off. What does Restricted Mode do? [...] Restricted Mode was created to give viewers better control over the content they see. This mode intentionally limits your YouTube experience. Viewers can choose to turn on Restricted Mode for their personal accounts. It may also be turned on for computers in libraries, schools, and other public institutions by the institution's system administrator. Viewers who turn on Restricted Mode can't see comments on videos. How does Restricted Mode work? [...] There are two reasons a video can be unavailable when Restricted Mode is turned on. Primarily, our automated system checks signals, like the video’s metadata, title, and the language used in the video. Some videos may not be available in Restricted Mode because human reviewers applied an age restriction. We understand that our automated system sometimes makes mistakes when it assesses which videos are available in Restricted Mode. We're always looking to improve our automated systems.

Restricted Mode is an additional setting which can be enabled on the YouTube website and app. If enabled it restricts the availability of potentially mature or objectionable content. #### How does Restricted Mode work? [...] #### How do I use Restricted Mode? Restricted Mode can be turned on by: 1. Going to the account icon in the top right corner on the YouTube site or app. 2. Toggling Restricted Mode to the ‘on’ option. Restricted Mode works at a browser level, so if you choose to use it you will need to turn it on in each browser installed on your device (Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc.) [...] The primary method for filtering content in Restricted Mode is an automatic system using algorithms. These algorithms, or rules, determine what content might be considered inappropriate by checking different elements such as the title, language and metadata used in each video. Metadata refers to information about the video such as the upload date, creator, video description, and tagged keywords.