YouTube
Our age is 13, YouTube Kids or a supervised account under 13. Caution because of an endless recommendation feed, Shorts and open comments.
Checked October 2026.
- Our rating
- Use Caution
- Chat
- Comments under videos. Supervised accounts can read some comments but cannot post.
- Spending
- YouTube Premium, channel memberships and Super Chat
- Parent controls
- A supervised Google account, managed in Family Link
- Plays on
- iOS, Android, Web, Smart TVs, Gaming Consoles
- Users
- 2B+
- Setup
- 9 stops, about 12 minutes
Do these three first
- Set up YouTube Kids (ages 4-8)YouTube KidsSettings iconEnter passcodeYour child's profileWith search off, they only see videos YouTube Kids has picked or you have approved.
- Set up a supervised YouTube account (ages 9+)Family LinkYour childControlsContent restrictionsYouTubeChoose a content setting and a Shorts limit for their account in Family Link.
- Turn on Restricted Mode (teens)YouTubeYouSettingsGeneralRestricted ModeFilter mature content on a teen's regular YouTube account.
Why we say caution
YouTube is the world's largest video platform, hosting everything from educational content to entertainment to news to user-generated videos. It includes YouTube Kids (separate app), YouTube Shorts (TikTok-style short videos), live streaming, and comment sections. Since August 2025, YouTube in the US has used age estimation to apply teen protections (no personalized ads, break and bedtime reminders on by default, fewer repeat recommendations of some topics) even when an account's birthday is wrong. Since early 2026, parents of supervised kids and teens can also cap the Shorts feed, all the way down to zero, from Family Link.
- Algorithm Rabbit HolesThe recommendation system is designed to maximize watch time, often leading to increasingly extreme or inappropriate content.
- Comments SectionComments under popular videos often include profanity, harassment, and spam. Supervised accounts can't post comments, and the Older kids setting hides them.
- YouTube ShortsTikTok-style short videos that surface viral content with less content curation.
- Inappropriate AdsAds before videos may not be age-appropriate.
- Mature ContentDespite policies, videos with violence, sexual content, and dangerous challenges exist on the platform.
- Excessive Watch TimeAutoplay and recommendations encourage hours of passive viewing.
Talk about it
- What channels do you like to watch?Shows interest in their content choices.
- Have you ever ended up watching something you didn't expect?Addresses algorithm concerns.
- Do you ever read comments on videos?Opens discussion about comment content.
- How do you feel after watching YouTube for a while?Addresses screen time impact.
The full route: 9 stops, about 12 minutes
- Choose the right YouTube for their age
- Set up YouTube Kids (ages 4-8)
- Set up a supervised YouTube account (ages 9+)
- Turn on Restricted Mode (teens)
- Review watch history settingsoptional
- Turn off Autoplay
- Set break and bedtime remindersoptional
- Know how comments work
- Check your setup
Start the setupFree to follow. With Family, your progress is saved for each child.
The complete YouTube parent guide, with age-by-age settings, is part of the Family plan.
The full guide
YouTube is where most kids watch video, so it's worth setting up well. Google offers several options, from the separate YouTube Kids app to supervised accounts to Restricted Mode.
YouTube's recommendation algorithm can lead children from innocent videos to increasingly mature content. Active management is essential.
For children under 12, YouTube Kids is the recommended choice — it's a separate app with curated content, no comments, and no access to the broader YouTube library. A supervised account on regular YouTube is the next step for older children (ages 9–12) who have outgrown YouTube Kids but aren't ready for full YouTube access.
Understanding Your Options
| Option | Best For | Control Level |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Kids | Ages 3-12 — start here | Highest |
| Supervised Experience | Ages 9-12 — fallback if YouTube Kids isn't suitable | High |
| Restricted Mode | Ages 13+ | Moderate |
| Regular YouTube | Adults | None |
YouTube uses age estimation in the US to spot users under 18 — regardless of the birthdate on the account — and automatically applies teen protections such as non-personalized ads, break and bedtime reminders, and limits on repeated recommendations of some topics. Adults flagged incorrectly can confirm their age with a government ID, credit card, or selfie.
YouTube Kids (Ages 3-12)
What is YouTube Kids?
A separate app with:
- Curated, age-appropriate content
- Simplified interface
- No comments or live chat
- Timer and volume controls
- Parental management
Setting Up YouTube Kids
Download YouTube Kids
Get the app from App Store or Google Play. It's also available on Smart TVs.
Create a Profile
Choose content level:
- Preschool (4 and under): Curated videos for youngest viewers
- Younger (5-8): Broader content, songs, crafts, learning
- Older (9-12): Additional content including gaming and music
Configure Settings
Tap the Settings icon (solve the multiplication problem or enter your custom passcode):
- Timer: Set viewing limits
- Search: Enable or disable (off is safer)
- Pause Watch History: Prevents recommendations
YouTube Kids Controls
Search
- OFF: Only shows curated content and subscribed channels
- ON: Can search within filtered results
Approve Content Only
- Enable to hand-pick which videos/channels are available
- Most restrictive but time-consuming
Block Videos/Channels
- Tap the three dots on any video
- Select "Block this video" or "Block this channel"
Inappropriate content occasionally appears on YouTube Kids. Monitor viewing and block problematic content quickly.
Supervised Experiences (Ages 9-12)
For children too old for YouTube Kids but not ready for full YouTube.
What is Supervised Experience?
A managed YouTube experience with:
- Three content settings (Older kids, Teens, Older teens)
- Parental controls in Family Link, including a daily Shorts feed limit
- No posting comments, uploading, going live or buying anything
- No live chat, and no Restricted Mode (the content setting does that job)
- Supervised teen accounts (13–17) are available too, if your teen agrees to link
Setting Up Supervised Experience
Ensure Google Family Link
Your child needs a Google account supervised through Family Link.
Open the YouTube Settings in Family Link
In the Family Link app on your phone:
Then have your child sign in to YouTube with their supervised account.
Choose Content Setting
Options:
- Older kids: Content generally suitable for ages 9+
- Teens: Content generally suitable for ages 13+ (music videos, gaming, news)
- Older teens: Content generally suitable for ages 16+; nearly everything except age-restricted videos
Content Settings Explained
| Setting | Content | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Older kids | 9+ appropriate | No comments, no live streams |
| Teens | 13+ appropriate | Read-only comments, live streams without chat |
| Older teens | 16+ appropriate | Read-only comments, live streams without chat |
Shorts Feed Limit
Since early 2026, parents can set a daily Shorts feed limit, from two hours down to zero, for supervised kids and teens. Find it in Family Link under your child's YouTube settings. Setting it to zero is handy on school nights.
Restricted Mode (Ages 13+)
A filter for teens on regular YouTube.
Enable Restricted Mode
On each device/browser:
Toggle ON.
Limitations
- Filters mature content (not perfect)
- Works per app or browser, so turn it on everywhere your teen watches
- Anyone using that app or browser can turn it off again
- Not available on supervised accounts (their content setting does the same job)
Keeping It On
There's no passcode lock for Restricted Mode on a teen's own account. If you need a setting your teen can't change, use a supervised teen account in Family Link instead, where only you can change the content setting.
Watch History & Recommendations
Pause Watch and Search History
Turning off YouTube history stops new videos and searches from shaping recommendations:
Useful to prevent rabbit-hole recommendations. For a supervised account, you can pause or clear history from Family Link instead.
Clear History
Periodically clear watch and search history from the same page:
Autoplay & Notifications
Disable Autoplay
Prevents automatic playing of next video:
Turn OFF. This reduces endless watching.
Manage Notifications
Reduce or disable notifications to limit pull back to the app.
Screen Time Management
YouTube's Built-in Tools
Remind Me to Take a Break
Set reminders at intervals.
Bedtime Reminder
Prompts to stop watching at set time.
Platform Controls
Use device parental controls for enforcement:
- iOS Screen Time app limits
- Android Family Link app limits
- Smart TV parental controls
Live Streaming Concerns
Watching Live Streams
Live content isn't pre-reviewed. Inappropriate content can appear.
On supervised accounts:
- Older kids: No live streams
- Teens and Older teens: Live streams, but no live chat
Going Live
Children should not go live on YouTube. What the rules say:
- Since July 22, 2025, users must be 16+ to live stream alone; teens 13–15 can only go live with an adult visibly present on camera
- Supervised accounts can't go live or upload at all
YouTube Shorts
Short-form videos similar to TikTok. Same content filters apply, but rapid scrolling can expose kids to more varied content quickly.
Limit Shorts
For supervised kids and teens, set the Shorts feed limit in Family Link (zero turns the Shorts feed off). On a regular account:
- Watch history affects Shorts recommendations
- Tap "Don't recommend channel" on Shorts creators you don't want
- Discuss appropriate viewing habits
Third-Party Content Concerns
Elsagate Content
Disturbing videos disguised as children's content. YouTube has cracked down, but some slip through.
Inappropriate Gaming Content
Gaming videos may include strong language, violent gameplay, or inappropriate humor.
Unboxing/Consumption Content
Endless toy unboxing videos can encourage materialism.
Stay Vigilant
- Check what your child watches periodically
- Review watch history
- Block problematic channels immediately
Safety Conversations
Discuss with Your Child
- Not all content is appropriate
- People in videos aren't always trustworthy
- Some "challenges" are dangerous
- They can always tell you if they see something upsetting
- It's okay to stop watching and walk away
Quick Setup Checklist
For Ages 3-8 (YouTube Kids)
For Ages 9-12 (Supervised)
For Ages 13+ (Restricted Mode)
Additional Resources
YouTube is now configured for your child's age. Remember that no filter is perfect—regular conversations about content and periodic monitoring remain important.
Comments & Interactions›
On YouTube Kids
Comments are completely disabled.
On Supervised Accounts
Your child can't post comments. On Older kids, comments are hidden; on Teens and Older teens they're read-only. Live chat is off on every setting.
On Regular YouTube
Can't disable comments app-wide, but: