I'm kinda OK with my kids using Youtube, but I don't want them getting sucked into the infinite pool of shit that is Shorts. But I can't block it even with parental controls.
There are browser extensions that block shorts. You can also block all algorithmic suggestions. I uninstalled the YouTube app ages ago and wish I'd done it sooner.
I have set up YT Kids account for a young relative and manually approved many channels and hundreds of videos. This is one way you can block Shorts, with the added benefit it’s no longer an infinite feed.