Completely Block YouTube Shorts - Is it possible?

[SVA]

We currently use a Smoothwall on prem webfilter/firewall.

 

We allow strict content filter on youtube, but we would like to completely block "shorts" on youtube.

 

I have read that quite a number of people have had no success with this.

 

Our network is a Windows Server 2019 domain, and all the computers are joined to the domain and we have many VLANS.

 

All the student computers are on VLAN60(Wired) and VLAN62(wireless).

 

We use Windows 10/11 All-In-One computers in computer labs and we have 80-90 Chromebooks.

 

We also use G-Suite for Education and mange the chromebooks there.

[TechMonkey]

They all seem to be served up from https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ so block that? Or do you mean from the app as well?

[OLPTech]

I got a couple of URLs to block from someone at Smoothwall last week, we had to block youtube.com/shorts (although if accessed from youtube first it bypasses this block) then had to also block youtube.com/youtubei/v1/reel to block the endless scrolling of the reels. So it allows the the first video but won't scroll, it's not perfect but it works.

 

We also use Impero Education Pro and used their extension to ban the page *youtube.com/shorts* but if you don't have something like this the above is the best outcome we were able to do with only the filtering.

 

 

Thanks

[SVA]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/

 

The problem is, this URL is not where all shorts are served from, shorts also have a regular youtube video url.

Edited April 29, 2024 by SVA

[cjwebster93]

I've just had a crack at this and managed to break the "shorts" button on the homepage by adding "www.youtube.com/youtubei/v1/reel" to my blocklist (Smoothwall on-prem with HTTPS Inspection on for all Pupils)

 

Also blocked http://www.youtube..com/shorts first to break direct URL access. The above sufficiently breaks the navigation from the homepage.

[kennysarmy]

Can I ask what the problem is with shorts if you're already allowing YouTube access for students?

[Rob_D]

Can I ask what the problem is with shorts if you're already allowing YouTube access for students?

The "endless scrolling isn't great", especially given the system seems to promote breadth of content in the feed rather than providing similar shorts to the original one.

I'd be tempted to try just blocking the "V1/reel" url so the videos are still accessible but you don't have the temptation to scroll through half a dozen more.

(TBH, I might try to do this at home)

[cjwebster93]

Honestly, it was the safeguarding lead's decision and you raise a very good point.

 

If I had to give them an excuse, I'd say with the other content modification and HTTPS inspection we've got a fairly good grasp on YouTube already (as far as that can be said) so I think it might be the fact that the shorts endless-scrolling page adds a bit of anonymity with what content is actually being viewed.

 

...but I'm making an excuse for them at this point.

 

I was told to block, went looking for a solution, found one, and shared.

[mikes]

honestly it's a lot of the brainrot  and less educational stuff tends to be shortform - there are a lot of educational videos, resources etc on long form, youtube shorts is just endless memes, brainrot, and the algorithm doesn't help either - a pupil goes on some anti school memes uploaded by someone on Youtube Shorts, the next thing they are scrolling through hundreds and dangerous memes get served. 

 

Just had this one from a year 8 brought to my attention  shorts/fVan7I7qiSk    a meme about kids sharing "noods",  the user did not type anything in to get this   just went on youtube browsed shorts and got recommended it.   So going to give this a try myself - blocking the reel sounds like a good idea at least

Edited November 14, 2025 by mikes