Social Media

YouTube can be used for educational purposes as well as for entertainment, but not all of the content is safe or appropriate for all ages. Young teens can easily come across unsuitable content thanks to YouTube’s auto-play which plays the next video automatically when the current one gets over. An example of this from some time ago was the infamous ‘Momo challenge’ where a disturbing image was shown in the challenge. It was said that these videos asked kids and teens to text message a certain number where they would be required to complete dangerous tasks. The facts of the challenge are still discussed but the concern is raised by parents and the creepiness was all too real. One minute you’re looking at a harmless ‘how to’ video, the next you’re finding suggestions for videos that talk about mature subjects, exhibit inappropriate behaviour, and more. No one wants their child browsing the Internet unsupervised. Continue reading to learn about some methods on “how to block YouTube on Chrome” Part 1: How to block YouTube on Chrome without an extension Websites can be a resource but they can also be destructive and distracting. However, you can use methods to block the content flowing to you from the web. By blocking particular pages, you can reduce the risk of detecting malware from phishing sites, avoid seeing adult content, or prevent your kids from coming across unwanted content online. #1: How to block YouTube on Chrome on PC Parental controls are a helpful feature to observe children’s activity on the internet to restrict their screen time, so they won’t be able to access websites unsuitable for their children. Parental controls can be set on Windows with the Chrome browser by performing these steps: Go to the “Windows menu,” click on “Settings,” and select “Accounts” to set up an account for your child. Click on “Family,” then select “Add someone.” In an opened window, you can enter your email address for the account. Click on the “Create one for a child” option. Follow the instructions to create an account for your kid. You can go to the newly created account through your Microsoft page. Click on “View your family” under the “Family” account. Go to your child’s account. To block sites, click on “Content filters,” and in the “Blocked sites” section enter the link of the website you’d like to block. You can add websites to the list by selecting the plus button. It’s recommended to review if you’ve blocked the required websites by entering your child’s account and attempting to access these pages. Block the YouTube channel on Google Chrome If you set up a monitored browsing experience, you can restrict access to certain channels for them on YouTube. If you change your mind, you can also unblock it on YouTube using your parent account. To block a certain channel from YouTube on a PC: Go to the certain channel page on YouTube that you want to block. Navigate to the About tab. You will find an option such as “Report user “. Click on the block channel for kids. This option will only appear if you use your linked parent account. A pop-up button may appear warning you that similar videos may still be found on other channels. You can click on Continue. Select “block” which is next to the account you’d like to block this channel for. There is also an unblock option, giving you the preference to undo the action. To block a channel on the YouTube app: Go to the particular YouTube channel you want to block. Click on More. Select the Block channel for kids. This option will only pop up if you’re using your parent account. An alert may arise on the screen that similar videos may still be found on other channels. Click on continue. Select the block next to the account you’d like to restrict access to. There is also an unblock option, giving you the preference to undo the action. #2: How to block YouTube on Mac To prioritize mental health and a healthy internet experience, there are different ways to reduce your family’s overall screen time and protect them from harmful content on platforms like YouTube. This involves making a healthier internet utilisation pattern and discarding the urge to continuously watch videos. How to block YouTube on Mac? Method 1: Screen Time Select the System Preferences option on your Mac. Click on Screen Time and enable the feature if you haven’t Select the ‘App Limits’ tab and select‘ + Add Limit‘ to add a new restriction. Find and click on ‘YouTube’ under the Web option, then mention the duration for which YouTube is allowed to be viewed each day. Click ‘Done‘ to activate. Screen Time also lets you apply password-protect settings so that no changes can be made. Method 2: Editing the Host File Open the Terminal on your Mac. Type ‘sudo nano /etc/hosts‘ and click on Enter to make changes to the host file with administrative rights. Insert the following lines at the end of the file: 127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com 127.0.0.1 m.youtube.com 127.0.0.1 youtubei.googleapis.com 127.0.0.1 youtube.googleapis.com 127.0.0.1 youtu. be Save the file and exit Get rid of the DNS cache by typing ‘sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder‘ in the Terminal. This approach requires a bit of technical know-how and care should be taken not to accidentally modify other parts of the host’s file. Hosting file changes present a more steady, multi-platform blocking approach. Method 3: Network Router How to block YouTube on Chrome using network router settings? Go to the router’s admin page by typing the IP address into a window. Go to the ‘Parental Controls’ or ‘Access Restrictions’. Set a new restriction to block links and content containing the word ‘YouTube ‘ Save the changes to your router settings. When you modify the router settings, it can impact all devices on the network. #3: Restrict YouTube on Chrome on Android phones and tablets Because of YouTube’s incredibly precise algorithm and the auto-play

Social media is part of our lives in the hyper-connected world today. The most addictive feature that has appeared is Instagram Reels, which keeps growing with an endless chain of short videos that attract. It could quickly turn into hours of senseless consumption from what initially was a simple “quick scroll.” It has deep impacts: we are reducing our attention spans, and productivity is plummeting by the end of a session; we often feel mentally drained. This means that, on average, an Instagram user spends approximately 53 minutes on the application daily. More and more of that time is now spent watching Reels. Swiping fast can turn into hours of wasteful entertainment at the expense of our productivity and mental health. Algorithms designed to keep users glued by instant gratification make it challenging to cut back. If you begin by asking how to turn off Reels, you are no longer asking about the feature. Still, you are already on the journey of rediscovering time, concentration, and mental well-being as you break free from that constant bombardment and recapture control of life against an increasingly fractured digital experience. The Psychology Behind Reel Addiction Instagram Reels aren’t just a collection of short videos. Instead, they are a psychological trap meant to attract your attention and entice you to return for more. Neuroscientists have studied the mechanism of social media addiction, and what they found is a real horror. Every time you watch a Reel, your brain gets this small dopamine hit, the very same neurochemical release one receives from more traditional forms of addictive behaviour, such as gambling. For example, one of the studies examined through ResearchGate looked into the association between Instagram usage and mental health. The results showed that high Instagram usage, especially following strangers, tends to increase social comparison feelings and depression symptoms. This impact is more significant for users who follow many strangers. It highlights how the app can hurt users’ self-esteem and mental health depending on how they interact with the content.​ The algorithm ensures it’s hitting at the dopamine hits. That unpredictability of every video, plus new content coming at you at a tremendous rate and novelty is always just around the corner, gives you this instant gratification loop. And every time you swipe to get something new and better, your brain rewards you with that dopamine hit, exactly like slot machines do in casinos. The Real-World Consequences As harmless as Reels might seem on the surface, the effect of over-consumption is pretty far-reaching. It directly impacts our cognitive faculties—frequent content changing hampers our capacity to focus on other complex activities. Instead of focusing on work or some other activity that matters, our brains get conditioned to flick from one short, entertaining video to another, reducing our ability to concentrate for long. It can also emotionally affect because curated content on Instagram would create anxiety, tension, and even depression regarding the constant bombardment of unrealistic lifestyles, filtered moments, and idealised bodies. Research showed that long exposure to social media, especially Instagram, will make people feel inferior and compare themselves. Last but not least, there is the aspect of productivity. What looks like harmless fun at first becomes increasingly time-consuming and diverts you away from doing something that could be much more significant to you, whether in terms of working on that project, spending time with family and friends, or even being present in your own life. Instagram Reels have the potential to be a giant productivity killer and work against personal and professional goals. Can You Disable Reels on Instagram? So, the question is: Can you turn off Reels on Instagram? While Instagram isn’t offering a direct “off” switch, several strategies can be applied to reduce or eliminate Reel exposure. Instagram is a site run based on engagement, and its algorithms are built to keep feeding you content that keeps you locked into its site. Steady activities and a little bit of savvy will put you in the driver’s seat as to what appears on your feed and stop Reels from becoming the thing that runs Instagram. The Algorithm’s Achilles Heel Its recommendation system is really smart but could be better. It learns your tastes and constantly adjusts so you see more of what you interact with. You can “train” the algorithm to show you less of what you don’t want. For instance, signalling disinterest in Reels can shift your feed’s focus to content you like and want to interact with. Unlike conversation, the Instagram algorithm responds to the signals you give it. Taking proactive measures lets you control things so that most of what you care about pops up on Instagram and less rubbish does. This is bargaining with a computer for a more focused rather than a diversionary digital life experience. 4 Comprehensive Strategies to Disable Instagram Reels 1. Advanced Feed Customization Techniques Although Instagram won’t let you turn off Reels, the app has some ways to customise your feed. Algorithmic Manipulation: Long-press on a Reel and tap “Not Interested.” That tells Instagram you want to avoid seeing that kind of content. Engaging with non-reel content, such as posts, images, or carousel photos, will say to the algorithm you’d prefer to see this content. Least Recommended Content Settings: Instagram lets you hide posts and prevents certain content from being recommended. Use this feature for a more curated feed. Unfollow Accounts: Unfollow accounts that post mostly Reels as much as possible. This trains the algorithm better on that you prefer non-reel content. These are minor but consistent changes you can make to your feed. As you engage with the content you want to see and avoid the Reels, Instagram will shift its recommendations over time. 2. Using Third-Party Digital Wellness Tools For a more integrated solution, several apps can help you manage your social media usage and remove distracting content: BlockP: A Holistic Digital Wellness Solution BlockP is a multi-platform solution that blocks all distractions, including Instagram Reels. Advanced filtering, customisable blocking, and Focus