Overview
Restrict Mode lets teachers block specific websites during class — without changing the overall filtering policy. Unlike Focus Mode (which is whitelist-only), Restrict Mode uses a blacklist approach: everything remains accessible except the sites you explicitly block.
Use Restrict Mode when students need broad internet access for research or projects but you want to remove specific distractions.
Prerequisites
- Teacher account in KyberClassroom
- Students on managed devices connected to KyberGate
- A list of sites you want to block during the lesson
Focus Mode vs. Restrict Mode
Understanding when to use each:
- Focus Mode (whitelist): "Students can ONLY access these sites." Best for testing, focused assignments, and high-stakes activities where you want zero distractions.
- Restrict Mode (blacklist): "Students can access everything EXCEPT these sites." Best for research, open-ended projects, and lessons where students need broad access but specific sites are distracting.
Rule of thumb: If you can list the few sites students need, use Focus Mode. If you can list the few sites causing problems, use Restrict Mode.
Steps
Step 1: Open Your Class
Log in to teachers.kybergate.com and select your active class.
Step 2: Activate Restrict Mode
Click the Restrict Mode button in the class toolbar (it looks like a minus-circle icon). A configuration panel will appear.
Step 3: Add Blocked Sites
Enter the domains you want to block during this session. Common examples:
- youtube.com
- tiktok.com
- instagram.com
- reddit.com
- discord.com
- roblox.com
You can also use Restrict Presets:
- Social Media — blocks all major social platforms
- Gaming — blocks popular gaming and game hosting sites
- Streaming — blocks video and music streaming services
- Social + Gaming — combination preset for maximum focus
Step 4: Set Duration
Choose how long Restrict Mode should last (same options as Focus Mode): 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes, until end of period, custom, or manual.
Step 5: Activate
Click Start Restrict Mode. The blocked sites become inaccessible for all students in the class within seconds. Students will see a block page if they try to visit a restricted site.
Step 6: End Restrict Mode
Click End Restrict Mode when the lesson is over, or let it expire automatically based on your duration setting.
Tips
- You can have Restrict Mode and individual Teacher Overrides active simultaneously — they stack
- Restrict Mode only adds blocks; it does not unblock sites that are already blocked by the org policy or bell schedule
- If a student complains a legitimate site is blocked, check whether it is blocked by Restrict Mode or by the organization policy — Restrict Mode blocks show the teacher's name on the block page
- Use Restrict Mode during open research time to prevent "rabbit holes" into social media or gaming
- If you find yourself blocking the same sites every day, ask your IT admin to add them to the bell schedule policy instead
FAQ
Q: Can I allow a site in Restrict Mode that the org policy blocks? A: No. Restrict Mode only adds blocks. To allow a site that is already blocked, use a Teacher Override (Allow Domain) instead. You can use both at the same time.
Q: Can I use Focus Mode and Restrict Mode at the same time? A: No. They are mutually exclusive. Focus Mode (whitelist) takes priority. If you activate Focus Mode while Restrict Mode is on, Restrict Mode is paused until Focus Mode ends.
Q: Does Restrict Mode block mobile apps too, or just browsers? A: Restrict Mode blocks all traffic to the specified domains from the device, not just browser traffic. This includes traffic from apps that connect to those domains.
Q: What if a student is in two classes and one teacher uses Restrict Mode? A: Restrict Mode only applies to the class that activated it. If the student's current class has Restrict Mode active, those blocks apply. Other class policies do not carry over.