Can we whitelist specific YouTube channels?

Access Points
1

Hi. I can block YouTube with the application filter.

(1) However, I would like my kids to access only a small set of YouTube channels. Is there a way to do this?

(2) Also, is there a way to filter/block YouTube videos based on keywords? Like whitelist specific videos by name (or block specific videos by keywords)?

My priority is (1) above. (2) would be nice since the access point has DPI capabilities, and I’m wondering if this could inspect and block/allow accordingly.

I appreciate any inputs/guidance. Or alternative approaches. Thanks!

2

  1. This cannot be done at the network level. YouTube traffic is encrypted (HTTPS/TLS), and all requests go to the same domain, making it impossible to filter specific channels or videos using a router or firewall. You can achieve this using Google Family Link with a family account, which allows you to whitelist specific YouTube channels for child accounts. That would be the best place to start (see HERE).

  2. Not possible at the network level. Unfortunately not even Google supports this. There are lots of user feature requests on their forum, like THIS relatively recent one (I realize these are user responses, but I’m more pointing out a recent user complaining about it missing).

Hope that’s helpful.

3

I was looking for the same thing, but could not find any good solution, so I managed to create my own.
Here’s the extension that you can use: SafeTube – SUZA Gear or simply search safetube on the Chrome Web Store.
This allows for whitelisting channels, and only videos from those channels can be played.
You can still scroll through other channels, but can’t play their videos if it’s not whitelisted.
I hope this helps.