Tool: SecureSchool
Category: Website Filtering / SSL Intercept
Updated: 2025

---

Overview #

Google no longer supports legacy school filtering options such as “YouTube for Schools,” and URL-only approaches no longer work. SecureSchool now provides one supported method to safely allow YouTube in the classroom:

• ✔ Allow specific videos by YouTube Video ID
• ✔ Block all other YouTube content

This requires the Advanced SSL Intercept add-on.

---

Requirements #

• SecureSchool appliance
• Advanced SSL Intercept Add-On
• A Filter Set used by the students or devices requiring filtered YouTube access

---

Configuration Steps #

1. Enable YouTube Filtering #

1. Go to Website Filtering → YouTube Filtering
2. Select the Filter Set (e.g., SSB_Classrooms)
3. Choose:
   • Allow individual YouTube videos by unique ID…
4. Click Select Method
5. Commit changes

This blocks all YouTube videos except the videos you explicitly allow.

---

2. Allow Individual Videos #

1. Go to Website Filtering → Filter Videos
2. Select the same Filter Set
3. For each video:
   • Find the Video ID (characters after v= in the URL)
   • Example:
     • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123XYZ
     • Video ID = abc123XYZ
   • Enter the ID
   • Click Add
4. Commit changes

Only those video IDs will be playable.

---

3. Bulk Adding YouTube Video IDs #

SecureSchool allows administrators to paste many video IDs at once.

You can paste multiple entries into the first Video ID field. Each entry should contain:

• The 11-character YouTube Video ID, followed by
• A space
• An optional description

SecureSchool will automatically expand the list into separate rows.

Example input:

VLDeTOQg2hE Ocean video
KWMD9rCBCJ0 Lighthouse video

After adding, the system creates:

Video ID	Description
VLDeTOQg2hE	Ocean video
KWMD9rCBCJ0	Lighthouse video

This is the fastest method for loading multiple classroom videos.

---

How YouTube Filtering Works #

When enabled, SecureSchool:

Allows:

• Only the specific video IDs you added

Blocks:

• All other videos
• YouTube homepage
• Related videos
• YouTube search
• Channels and playlists
• Comments, recommendations, and Shorts

This ensures strict instructional control.

---

Notes & Best Practices #

• SSL Intercept is required because video IDs are sent inside encrypted YouTube requests
• Teachers should gather all needed video IDs in advance
• Video IDs must be correct — even one wrong character blocks the video
• Ensure students/devices are assigned to the correct Filter Set
• You can bulk-add dozens or hundreds of videos if needed

---

Troubleshooting #

Issue	Cause	Solution
Allowed video won’t play	SSL Intercept not applied	Ensure the user/device is SSL-intercepted
All videos blocked	No IDs in the Filter Videos list	Add video IDs
Some videos work, some don’t	Incorrect ID	Verify and re-enter the ID
“An error occurred”	Filtering conflict	Check SSL logs and filtering logs

---

Summary #

To safely allow YouTube in schools:

• Enable YouTube Filtering for a Filter Set
• Choose “Allow individual videos by ID”
• Add video IDs — individually or using bulk add
• Ensure SSL Intercept is enabled
• Commit changes

This method offers precise educational control while keeping students safe.