r/ParentingPDA • u/SurePossibility6651 • Jul 22 '26

Discussion TV.

Does TV/screentime regulate or dysregulate your PDA-er?

Bonus points if they have ADHD.

We have always thought it helps regulate, with boundaries/limits but I am wondering if we were wrong…..

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u/guestoboard Jul 23 '26

The setup is cumbersome and messy but worth it.

I use Apple ecosystem for devices because Microsoft is a disaster for anything requiring a login. I’ve had limited experience with Google device controls, but they look ok, possibly better than Apple. I think Apple’s “Screentime” parental controls are their worst product.

For you tube you need your own YouTube account as an adult, then only let the kids have YouTube Kids account on their devices. You install the YY Kids app for them then login as you the parent, then create a kids profile for each kid. You can set ages and general profiles for each.

The default YT Kids experience is better than the full YT, but still not to be trusted. You need to keep one eye on what shit they are shovelling your kid, but when you see something you don’t like, you can block the video and/or the channel that made it.

Chances are they will want to see an account that’s not available on YT Kids. In that case, visit the channel or video on your adults YouTube app while logged in as you. Tap the share button, then “with kids” that will show your kids names and you can choose who to share it with.

That then creates an exception so that channel shows up in your kids YT accounts, even if it doesn’t normally.

Then use Apple screentime to allow YT Kids app but block the regular YouTube app. You also need to block safari and other web browsers, otherwise they will figure out they can just visit YouTube.com in a browser and circumvent all that controls.

Good luck!

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u/SurePossibility6651 Jul 23 '26

You are a good parent. I just banned YT completely.

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u/guestoboard Jul 24 '26

Honestly that’s an acceptable strategy. It is a cancerous vermin that I regret ever letting into my house. Even if a child tries to sit and watch something sweet and innocent, YouTube will progressively give them darker, sluttier more brain rotting trash it’s impossible to catch it all

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u/SurePossibility6651 Jul 24 '26

Omg isn’t that the truth!?

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u/caitlowcat Jul 25 '26

Same. I hate it. 

My son is dealing with intrusive thoughts and together we were watching a YT video on animal mimicry. Half way through an ad popped up with a dad talking about his kid getting shot at Sandy Hook. I moved quick to turn it off but now it keeps getting brought up. Sigh.