Discussion
Hi all, with the kids being off school the use of YouTube is becoming a bit of an issue at home. Kids using it whilst they should be doing homework!
I have blocked the website via my IP but the YouTube app is still able to gain access from tablets, phones etc.
Anything I can do to block?
Thanks.
I have blocked the website via my IP but the YouTube app is still able to gain access from tablets, phones etc.
Anything I can do to block?
Thanks.
There might be simple answers, but your kids might be resourceful, so they might not work and you won't know they're sneaking round a poor attempt.
If you want a fighting chance you could setup a VPN on a Raspberry PI and then configure the kids devices to connect to the internet only via that VPN. That will route their internet use, home and away via your home internet connection. Then you have loads of options to monitor and block traffic.
If you can then setup the devices so settings can't be changed, then you're as close to winning as you're going to get, short of them buying another device. Setup an alert when new devices access the WiFi and you'll catch these, which is more useful then simply black-listing unknown MAC addresses.
If they then beat you, they deserve the victory, they'll have learnt some handy skills.
If you want a fighting chance you could setup a VPN on a Raspberry PI and then configure the kids devices to connect to the internet only via that VPN. That will route their internet use, home and away via your home internet connection. Then you have loads of options to monitor and block traffic.
If you can then setup the devices so settings can't be changed, then you're as close to winning as you're going to get, short of them buying another device. Setup an alert when new devices access the WiFi and you'll catch these, which is more useful then simply black-listing unknown MAC addresses.
If they then beat you, they deserve the victory, they'll have learnt some handy skills.
Missus lad who is 8 was doing this, I've paused the wifi on his Amazon tablet so it wont connect.
He then has access to a Windows 10 laptop which he has his own login for, using Microsoft family have locked that down and also Xbox which is locked down.
Depending on what Router set up you have you might be able to put this in groups on the router and block stuff.
He then has access to a Windows 10 laptop which he has his own login for, using Microsoft family have locked that down and also Xbox which is locked down.
Depending on what Router set up you have you might be able to put this in groups on the router and block stuff.
Lots of AppLock apps are available. All do pretty much the same thing i.e. requires a password/PIN to access selected apps. You can choose which apps to lock. I use one on one of our Android tablets and has successfully prevented my son from accidentally installing millions of new games from clicking on ads.
Its access throughout the whole house I'd like to block. Permanently!
They have phones, tablets, Nintendos, Playstations, Xbox, laptops the lot!
I ban them for a week but then the process begins again so I'm sick of it and just want a complete blanket ban.
I find it strange that apps can work even though I've blocked it via my IP.
YouTube is an absolute nuisance when it comes to kids, it's designed to keep them hooked and ut fills their heads full of rubbish.
They have phones, tablets, Nintendos, Playstations, Xbox, laptops the lot!
I ban them for a week but then the process begins again so I'm sick of it and just want a complete blanket ban.
I find it strange that apps can work even though I've blocked it via my IP.
YouTube is an absolute nuisance when it comes to kids, it's designed to keep them hooked and ut fills their heads full of rubbish.
welshjon81 said:
I find it strange that apps can work even though I've blocked it via my IP.
You'll have only blocked an IP address (e.g. 216.58.210.238 or 216.58.205.46) or hostname (e.g. youtube.com or youtu.be), you won't have been able to block every address unless you know them all.The apps might even use a completely different address/route.
if you want to block most of the IP addresses, then you're going to have to add a lot more to your blocklist, as google uses all of these:
- 199.223.232.0 - 199.223.239.255
- 207.223.160.0 - 207.223.175.255
- 208.65.152.0 - 208.65.155.255
- 208.117.224.0 - 208.117.255.255
- 209.85.128.0 - 209.85.255.255
- 216.58.192.0 - 216.58.223.255
- 216.239.32.0 - 216.239.63.255
Just looked through my sons homework for the week ..
3 tasks require that he watches you-tube videos
YMMV . but in my case not worth the effort of blocking and un-blocking
year 7 ICT lesson is how to remove/reduce your digital footprint by vpn and inprivate browser windows .. so they are being taught how to circumvent
3 tasks require that he watches you-tube videos
YMMV . but in my case not worth the effort of blocking and un-blocking
year 7 ICT lesson is how to remove/reduce your digital footprint by vpn and inprivate browser windows .. so they are being taught how to circumvent
welshjon81 said:
YouTube is an absolute nuisance when it comes to kids, it's designed to keep them hooked and ut fills their heads full of rubbish.
Tell me about it, Missus 8 year old son, she has 50% custody of him. At our house now I try to keep him off Youtube, he has to earn Xbox time doing school work (he refuses to do sheets but is quite happy to do sumdog on the laptop). If hes naughty at all thats screentime gone for the day.
At his dads however it seems hes allowed to sit there all day watching people play minecraft and then playing minecraft himself, watching youtube and watching TV. Very much doubt any work is being done.
When he comes here he starts using sayings and phrases that I've heard a certain Youtube Minecraft kid using before (cant remember the guys name).
Whole day revolves around Minecraft time.
Its a shame because hes a really smart lad, very scientific.
Same problem here - I want to block youtube for their devices, but then be able to temporarily re-enable it for the odd class.
Editing the hosts.ini file on Windows will block it for a single Windows PC, but it's a pain having to edit to re/disable.
Browser-based controls don't work- they will just use another browser: Chrome/Edge/IE/Firefox/Midori...
The mesh wifi parental controls (TP-Link's Deco) tried to help but it's tied to a MAC address- one boy (age 8) is already using randomised MAC address to get around that.
The broadband router doesn't have fine-tuned controls. It's rapidly looking like I'll need to put in an upstream Raspberry PI/pi-hole or clever router to do this.
I haven't tried the "Microsoft account" approach- would like to hear some more about that?
Editing the hosts.ini file on Windows will block it for a single Windows PC, but it's a pain having to edit to re/disable.
Browser-based controls don't work- they will just use another browser: Chrome/Edge/IE/Firefox/Midori...
The mesh wifi parental controls (TP-Link's Deco) tried to help but it's tied to a MAC address- one boy (age 8) is already using randomised MAC address to get around that.
The broadband router doesn't have fine-tuned controls. It's rapidly looking like I'll need to put in an upstream Raspberry PI/pi-hole or clever router to do this.
I haven't tried the "Microsoft account" approach- would like to hear some more about that?
Chozza said:
year 7 ICT lesson is how to remove/reduce your digital footprint by vpn and inprivate browser windows .. so they are being taught how to circumvent
Good to hear that, When I was in year 7 (2000) we learn't how to use Word! I'd already at that age been tinkering with Linux live systems etc. Did my GCSE I.T 2 years early in year 9 and was allowed to complete a BTEC (Level 2 & 3 Networking) after school at local college when the other kids were doing ICT GCSE. Few years ago I was supervising a lad about 5 years younger than me at work, who didn't really know how to use Windows at all, All as he knew was Tablet/Phone. I asked what they did in IT at school and didn't really sound like they did IT as a lesson.
Edited by AJB88 on Wednesday 10th June 14:21
What is it about YouTube that has the kids hooked, It is having a detrimental affect on their concentration levels and use of pratical and common sense thinking.
We have two foster kids and limit there time on youtube as much as we can, we have google wifi and that is brilliant for scheduling internet time, but it cant block specfic websites
They are both pretty bright but seem to have a lack of imagination, and are very poor at logical problem solving that doesnt have visual content,. i am sure it has a lot to do with the brain numbing videos they watch.
After reading this thread i did some digging around open dns seems to offer blocking capabilities and appears to have success with blocking apps as well, though not 100% full proof maybe one of the better solutions ??
https://www.d7xtech.com/blocking-youtube-for-the-k...
We have two foster kids and limit there time on youtube as much as we can, we have google wifi and that is brilliant for scheduling internet time, but it cant block specfic websites
They are both pretty bright but seem to have a lack of imagination, and are very poor at logical problem solving that doesnt have visual content,. i am sure it has a lot to do with the brain numbing videos they watch.
After reading this thread i did some digging around open dns seems to offer blocking capabilities and appears to have success with blocking apps as well, though not 100% full proof maybe one of the better solutions ??
https://www.d7xtech.com/blocking-youtube-for-the-k...
Just a different viewpoint here. I personally don't watch TV, like at all. It's all a load of rubbish to me and i feel it dumbs people down and the shows rarely match what i am actually interested in. Instead i actually watch a lot of youtube because i can filter my viewing to exactly what i like and who i like to watch. I'm in my mid 30's.
Simply blocking youtube may be missing the ball as to understanding the problem. Perhaps their likes and dislikes are different from your own reality and therefore you feel it is odd and not normal. They might see the same thing in you. As a kid i never bothered with much homework either and i didn't have youtube. Like all kids, i did the things i'd rather do or listen to instead whether that be music, N64 gaming, playing sport or chatting on MSN messenger...
Before you block youtube from them which will simply show how out of touch you are perhaps, why don't you think back to why you may not have done your homework as a kid and try to fix that. I didn't do mine because i found it boring and it did not challenge me. Plus i could not grasp how doing another 30 equations would really benefit me any more than the 20 i did in class easily when i could be having fun instead...
Simply blocking youtube may be missing the ball as to understanding the problem. Perhaps their likes and dislikes are different from your own reality and therefore you feel it is odd and not normal. They might see the same thing in you. As a kid i never bothered with much homework either and i didn't have youtube. Like all kids, i did the things i'd rather do or listen to instead whether that be music, N64 gaming, playing sport or chatting on MSN messenger...
Before you block youtube from them which will simply show how out of touch you are perhaps, why don't you think back to why you may not have done your homework as a kid and try to fix that. I didn't do mine because i found it boring and it did not challenge me. Plus i could not grasp how doing another 30 equations would really benefit me any more than the 20 i did in class easily when i could be having fun instead...
Edited by 350Z on the Wolds on Wednesday 10th June 16:26
Chozza said:
Just looked through my sons homework for the week ..
3 tasks require that he watches you-tube videos
YMMV . but in my case not worth the effort of blocking and un-blocking
year 7 ICT lesson is how to remove/reduce your digital footprint by vpn and inprivate browser windows .. so they are being taught how to circumvent
This is the PROBLEM3 tasks require that he watches you-tube videos
YMMV . but in my case not worth the effort of blocking and un-blocking
year 7 ICT lesson is how to remove/reduce your digital footprint by vpn and inprivate browser windows .. so they are being taught how to circumvent
As a parent, this excuse was used countless times whilst I tried to shut if off for the last 2 years with no luck.
So she screwed up her A levels.
Schools should be teaching by books, not internet, otherwise kids will say they need it then watch Youtube s
t.BE WARNED FOR YOUR KIDS. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE HAMMER DOWN.
Getting back to to original point
1. Change the wifi password for only one you know
2. Ban wifi and use your old PC with ethernet connection whilst the rest of your family stew
IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
Edited by Gandahar on Wednesday 10th June 17:23
350Z on the Wolds said:
Just a different viewpoint here. I personally don't watch TV, like at all. It's all a load of rubbish to me and i feel it dumbs people down and the shows rarely match what i am actually interested in. Instead i actually watch a lot of youtube because i can filter my viewing to exactly what i like and who i like to watch. I'm in my mid 30's.
Simply blocking youtube may be missing the ball as to understanding the problem. Perhaps their likes and dislikes are different from your own reality and therefore you feel it is odd and not normal. They might see the same thing in you. As a kid i never bothered with much homework either and i didn't have youtube. Like all kids, i did the things i'd rather do or listen to instead whether that be music, N64 gaming, playing sport or chatting on MSN messenger...
Before you block youtube from them which will simply show how out of touch you are perhaps, why don't you think back to why you may not have done your homework as a kid and try to fix that. I didn't do mine because i found it boring and it did not challenge me. Plus i could not grasp how doing another 30 equations would really benefit me any more than the 20 i did in class easily when i could be having fun instead...
We are talking about kids here and not your evolved mindset years later .... they will take the piss if you get your cotton wool out and try to be reasonableSimply blocking youtube may be missing the ball as to understanding the problem. Perhaps their likes and dislikes are different from your own reality and therefore you feel it is odd and not normal. They might see the same thing in you. As a kid i never bothered with much homework either and i didn't have youtube. Like all kids, i did the things i'd rather do or listen to instead whether that be music, N64 gaming, playing sport or chatting on MSN messenger...
Before you block youtube from them which will simply show how out of touch you are perhaps, why don't you think back to why you may not have done your homework as a kid and try to fix that. I didn't do mine because i found it boring and it did not challenge me. Plus i could not grasp how doing another 30 equations would really benefit me any more than the 20 i did in class easily when i could be having fun instead...
Edited by 350Z on the Wolds on Wednesday 10th June 16:26
I bet they would prefer my youtube to your convoluted adult oriented diatribe
Gandahar said:
Chozza said:
Just looked through my sons homework for the week ..
3 tasks require that he watches you-tube videos
YMMV . but in my case not worth the effort of blocking and un-blocking
year 7 ICT lesson is how to remove/reduce your digital footprint by vpn and inprivate browser windows .. so they are being taught how to circumvent
This is the PROBLEM3 tasks require that he watches you-tube videos
YMMV . but in my case not worth the effort of blocking and un-blocking
year 7 ICT lesson is how to remove/reduce your digital footprint by vpn and inprivate browser windows .. so they are being taught how to circumvent
As a parent, this excuse was used countless times whilst I tried to shut if off for the last 2 years with no luck.
So she screwed up her A levels.
Schools should be teaching by books, not internet, otherwise kids will say they need it then watch Youtube s
t.BE WARNED FOR YOUR KIDS. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE HAMMER DOWN.
Getting back to to original point
1. Change the wifi password for only one you know
2. Ban wifi and use your old PC with ethernet connection whilst the rest of your family stew
IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
Edited by Gandahar on Wednesday 10th June 17:23
But it's somehow the school's fault?!
deckster said:
Gandahar said:
Chozza said:
Just looked through my sons homework for the week ..
3 tasks require that he watches you-tube videos
YMMV . but in my case not worth the effort of blocking and un-blocking
year 7 ICT lesson is how to remove/reduce your digital footprint by vpn and inprivate browser windows .. so they are being taught how to circumvent
This is the PROBLEM3 tasks require that he watches you-tube videos
YMMV . but in my case not worth the effort of blocking and un-blocking
year 7 ICT lesson is how to remove/reduce your digital footprint by vpn and inprivate browser windows .. so they are being taught how to circumvent
As a parent, this excuse was used countless times whilst I tried to shut if off for the last 2 years with no luck.
So she screwed up her A levels.
Schools should be teaching by books, not internet, otherwise kids will say they need it then watch Youtube s
t.BE WARNED FOR YOUR KIDS. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE HAMMER DOWN.
Getting back to to original point
1. Change the wifi password for only one you know
2. Ban wifi and use your old PC with ethernet connection whilst the rest of your family stew
IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
Edited by Gandahar on Wednesday 10th June 17:23
But it's somehow the school's fault?!
She did well when not on the internet for her 11 plus.
I tried to do the appropriate work ethic and failed after that
I failed to control her failure at home due to the internet being an over riding distraction.
Yes, it is the schools fault in providing everything online so I had to contend with the same issue that everyone else seems to be having.
See above for other people having the very same issue.
Thoughts? You seem to have cracked this, what's your suggestions on how you coped?
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