Unfortunately, due to Apple's Screen Time API limitations, we can't block specific sections of websites or apps like YouTube Shorts while keeping the main site or the app accessible. The blocking works at the domain/app level, so blocking YouTube Shorts would also block the entire YouTube website/app.
Here are some alternatives you can try:
1) Use "Always blocked" for controlled access
Set up "Always blocked" for YouTube (Go to "Roots > Tap on "+" button bottom right > Select "Add new block" > Select "Always blocked")
Allow yourself 1-2 unblocks per day with short time limits (5-10 minutes)
Enable "Monk Mode" so you can't exceed your daily limit
This gives you intentional, limited access rather than endless scrolling
2) Block YouTube during high-temptation times
Create "Blocked hours" during times you're most likely to get sucked into Shorts (Go to Roots > Tap on "+" button bottom right > Select "Add new block" > Select "Blocked hours")
Example: Block YouTube from, say, 7-9 PM if you tend to mindlessly scroll during those hours
Keep it accessible during times when you're more likely to use it intentionally
Why this limitation exists
Apple's Screen Time API treats each website/app as a single entity. Hence, we can't distinguish between different pages or sections of the same domain/app, which means blocking youtube.com/shorts or the app would automatically include all of youtube.com or the app.
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