Created by a Parent, for Parents
Guardian Lock began with a simple concern: I wanted my children to benefit from the many educational videos available on YouTube without giving them unrestricted access to everything else on the platform.
As a homeschooling father, I saw how quickly children could move from an educational video to unrelated channels, YouTube Shorts, recommendations and content that I had never approved. Completely blocking YouTube would remove a valuable learning resource—but leaving it completely open did not feel safe.
I wanted a better option, so I created Guardian Lock.
What Guardian Lock Does
Guardian Lock gives parents and authorized adults more control over how children use YouTube.
Rather than trying to decide which individual videos should be blocked, Guardian Lock uses an approved-channel approach. Parents choose the YouTube channels they trust, and Guardian Lock restricts access to channels that have not been approved.
Depending on the version and selected settings, Guardian Lock can help:
- Allow access to parent-approved YouTube channels
- Block videos from unapproved channels
- Block YouTube Shorts
- Protect settings with a parent PIN
- Reduce the risk of children wandering into unrelated content
- Preserve access to useful educational, instructional and faith-based videos
Guardian Lock is designed to supplement responsible parental supervision—not replace it.
Why I Created It
I did not begin Guardian Lock as a large technology company trying to enter the parental-control market. I began as a father trying to solve a real problem in my own home.
That experience still guides the development of the product. Guardian Lock is designed around a practical question:
How can children benefit from YouTube without being given access to all of YouTube?
My answer was to place the decision back in the hands of parents and educators. They know their children, their values and their educational needs better than an automated recommendation system does.
A New Product with a Clear Purpose
Guardian Lock is a new and independently developed product. I believe being new also carries an important advantage: customers are not dealing with a distant corporation.
Questions, concerns and suggestions reach the person responsible for developing the program. Customer feedback helps guide future improvements, including expanded device support and tools for schools and organizations.
I am committed to being honest about what Guardian Lock currently supports and what is still being developed. I will never knowingly describe an unfinished feature as if it were already available.
Available Platforms
Guardian Lock currently supports:
- Windows computers running Microsoft Edge
- Windows computers running Google Chrome
- Google Chromebooks through a separate Chromebook version
The Windows version has been tested with Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. It has not been tested with other browsers on Windows, so Windows customers should use one of these two supported browsers.
The separate Chromebook version is available through the official Chrome Web Store:
View Guardian Lock in the Chrome Web Store
Please make sure you select the correct Guardian Lock version for your device. If you are uncertain which version you need, contact us before purchasing.
Security and Purchasing
The Guardian Lock website uses an encrypted HTTPS connection. Payments are securely processed through Paddle, an established third-party payment provider. Guardian Lock does not directly collect or store your complete payment-card information.
The Chromebook extension is distributed through the official Chrome Web Store. This allows Chromebook users to view Guardian Lock’s store listing and install the approved extension through Google’s official distribution platform.
Availability for other platforms may vary as new versions are developed, reviewed and released.
Our Commitment
Guardian Lock will continue to focus on one central purpose: helping parents and educators provide access to useful YouTube content while maintaining meaningful control over what children can watch.
Because YouTube and supported browsers may change over time, no parental-control product can promise perfect protection in every circumstance. I am committed to monitoring compatibility, addressing problems and improving Guardian Lock as these platforms evolve.
Thank you for considering Guardian Lock and for taking an active role in protecting your children online.
Harlan Stills
Founder and Developer of Guardian Lock
Homeschooling Father
Contact Guardian Lock
Guardian Lock is an independently developed online software product created and operated by Harlan Stills. Customer assistance is provided online so questions can be documented and answered accurately.
If you need help choosing the correct version, have a question about Guardian Lock or represent a school or organization interested in an evaluation, please contact us.
Email: support@youtubeguardianpro.com
Website: https://youtubeguardianpro.com
Typical response time: Within 24 hours