YouTube
YouTube's terms set a minimum age of 13, and they also say a child of any age can use YouTube or YouTube Kids if a parent turns that on. There are three modes: YouTube Kids, a supervised account under 13, and a supervised teen account that both of you agree to. Either of you can turn teen supervision off later.
Terms minimum is 13, but a parent can enable YouTube or YouTube Kids at any age. This is not treated as an under-age block.
YouTube Kids is controlled by a parent. A supervised teen account starts only if both of you agree, and either of you can turn it off later. In Brazil, anyone under 16 needs supervision to create or keep a channel.
Turn off search in YouTube Kids
On your phone · ages 5–12 · checked 30 Sep 2026
With search off, what they can watch stays on channels YouTube Kids has checked.
- In the YouTube Kids parent settings, turn search off.
Choose a YouTube Kids content level
Both of you together · ages 5–12 · checked 30 Sep 2026
The levels are Preschool (4 and under), Younger (5–8), Older (9–12), and Approve content yourself. Approve content yourself turns search off. That option can only be chosen in the YouTube Kids app.
- In the YouTube Kids app, unlock settings with the math problem or passcode.
- Open the child's profile, enter the parent password, then edit the content level.
- Preschool, Younger, and Older match the ages above. Approve content yourself is the tightest, and search stays off.
Set the YouTube Kids timer
On your phone · ages 5–12 · checked 30 Sep 2026
In YouTube Kids, a timer locks the app when it ends. The child sees Time's up.
- Settings, then the math problem or passcode, then Set Timer.
- Move the slider and start the timer.
Block videos or channels, and pause history
On your phone · ages 5–12 · checked 30 Sep 2026
You can block a video or a channel, and you can pause watch history and search history.
- Block anything that already got through.
- Pause watch and search history if you do not want that record kept.
Put a parent code on the smart TV
On your phone · ages 5–12 · checked 30 Sep 2026
A parent code stops someone from watching while signed out on a TV, which bypasses the kids profile.
- Set the parent code in the YouTube Kids controls and use it on the TV.
On a supervised kid account, pick the content setting
Both of you together · ages 9–12 · checked 30 Sep 2026
A supervised account for a child under 13 has content settings Google describes as Older kids (about 9 and up), Teens (about 13 and up), and Older teens (about 16 and up). In the Teens and Older teens settings, the child can read comments but not write them.
- If you use the main YouTube app instead of YouTube Kids, link a supervised kid account.
- For a child under 13, start with the Older kids setting. The Teens setting is the one Google describes as about 13 and up.
Set a Shorts time limit
Both of you together · ages 13–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026
On a supervised teen account you can limit how long they scroll Shorts. Either you or the teen can turn supervision off later.
- YouTube, profile picture, Settings, Family Center, Manage kids profiles and features for teens. Both of you have to agree.
- Set the Shorts time limit to a length you can keep.
Turn on Take a Break and Bedtime reminders
Both of you together · ages 13–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026
Supervised teen accounts include Take a Break and Bedtime reminders.
- Turn both reminders on and set them for the hours you care about.
Check emails about the teen's channel
On your phone · ages 13–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026
Activity emails are on by default. You can get an email when the teen uploads, goes live, or changes a privacy setting.
- Activity emails are on by default. Check they're still on: Settings, Family Center, Manage settings for your kids, the teen, Notifications.
Turn on Restricted Mode where you can lock it
On your phone · ages 5–17 · checked 30 Sep 2026
Restricted Mode hides comments and is optional. On its own it applies to one browser or device. Locked through Family Link, the child cannot change it while signed in. Family Link cannot set it for a child over 13 unless the supervised account was created before 13 and they have not taken over the account.
- If your child isn't using a supervised YouTube experience, you can turn on and lock Restricted Mode in Family Link (the child, Controls, Content restrictions, YouTube). Supervised YouTube accounts use the content setting you chose instead.
- On a browser, profile photo, Restricted Mode, Activate. Repeat that on each browser.
How we check lists what was left off YouTube.
Build a plan that includes YouTube