Trying to make YouTube slightly safer for kids.
Safer YouTube UI for Kids Extension
DESCRIPTION
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YouTube's parental controls are pretty much non-existent. Restrictive mode hides some things yes but not nearly enough. Plus there are no tracking/monitoring or filtering methods parents can use. On top of that the \"suggested\" and \"trending\" videos very often have content I personally wouldn't want my kids watching.
This extension is a very simple hack to hide most elements on the YouTube site and only show the basics. These lists may change over time but for now here's what is shown/hidden:
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ITEMS SHOWN
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* Search Bar
* Playlist menu/list
* Subscriptions
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ITEMS HIDDEN
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* Suggested / Next Up videos
* Number of items in the left/side-menu on YouTube site
* The GOD AWFUL \"Trending\" link
* History link (harder for kids to clear history)
* Video description
* Video comments
* Misc YouTube Header/Footer stuff\t
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HOW TO USE
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1.) Install this extension. Enable it for \"Private/Incognito\" mode if necessary.
2.) Go to YouTube
3.) Enjoy a VERY minimal/bare-bones YouTube user interface
with 85% of the crap hidden.
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DISCLAIMERS/NOTES
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A) Yes this is not super secure and anyone (incl kids)
of a certain age/technical skill will find ways around this
but it's better than nothing for people in my situation with
no other options.
B) Please note that this extension may stop working to varying
degrees in the future if/when YouTube changes their site. I'll
update/fix if possible when time permits and/or I (or others)
are still using this.
C) This extension is not meant to eliminate the need for parental
attention of what their kids are watching on YouTube - it's
just to help make parents' job a little bit easier and less stressful.
D) This extension's toolbar icon is *intentionally* invisible so it's not
immediately obvious where/how to remove it. However it can be removed
in the usual extension/setting location.
E) This extension is similar to the similarly-named extension
\"Safer YouTube\" by another person but that one didn't go far enough
(for me) in what it hides/shows so that's why I made my own.
Reference: https://goo.gl/TKqRtW.
F) Finally, this is a test/work in progress. Please leave any
ideas/feedback anyone has here:
https://emersondesignlog.blogspot.com/2019/03/safer-youtube-ui-for-kids.html
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CHANGE LOG
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1.0.017: YT Channel/YT Studio links removed from dropdown menu
1.0.016: Adjustment requests from an end-user
1.0.015: Resolving a chrome manifest V3/permission issue.
1.0.014: The channel and subscribe buttons are now visible. The show-as-you-type search results is now hidden.
1.0.0.13: Updated extension to V3 of Chrome manifest format. Also added few new YT items to hide on request from an end-user.
20210627211035: Hiding couple additional items on YT home page (some, not all recommended \"channels/topics\").
20210510075148: Google still rejecting app for configuration reasons (?) - still trying to resolve.
2021042x: Google requested some configuration changes - attempting to resolve.
20210407: Addressing some Chrome technical issue that came up and slight tweak to the extension to hide a couple more things on YT.
20190319: Trying out hiding SUBSCRIBE button and AUTHOR/CHANNEL links.
By the way I *may* eventually make these toggles not global/hard-coded hide/show decision.
Source Manifest.json
How to download and manually install Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension for Chrome
Looking for a way to install Safer YouTube UI for Kids extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.
However, you may need to install Safer YouTube UI for Kids extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Safer YouTube UI for Kids extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.
Method 1: Download Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension and manually install through Drag &Drop
If you ever need to manually install a Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.
Step 1: Download the Safer YouTube UI for Kids Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.
Look for the Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension that contains all the data.
Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files
Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.
Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page
Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.
Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension
Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.
Step 5: Complete the Installation
Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.
Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.
Method 2: Download Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode
This is another method to install Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.
Step 1: Download the Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension file
Select and download the Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.
Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents
Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension running.
Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page
In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.
Step 4: Enable Developer Mode
After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.
Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension
Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."
Step 6: Select the Extension Folder
Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.
Step 7: Confirm and Install
After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.
Conclusion
Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Safer YouTube UI for Kids extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.
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User reviews
Diego Cabrera (ID: 0000006b4bdcc08b) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 01/10/2023
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