YouTube Just Streamlined Its Parental Controls to Ensure Screen Time Is Age-Appropriate

Published on Sep 18, 2018 at 12:45 PM

Following its announcement this past April that it would be adding more parental control features to its app, YouTube Kids has officially rolled out two new content experiences so you can rest assured that your child's screen time is age-appropriate. The new features — an "Approved Content Only" experience, as well as the option to set their profile between "Younger" or the new "Older" setting in terms of content — are available in the app now, and can be accessed through your child's personalized profile.

"We believe that no two families are the same — and that their needs are ever-changing as they grow up," James Beser, Product Director for YouTube Kids, wrote on the official YouTube blog. "That's why we are committed to building YouTube Kids in a way that offers kids the content they love and grown-ups the tools to customize the app as they see fit."

Learn more about the two new features below.

Set your child's profile to "Approved Content Only" to customize the videos they're allowed to access.

"Parents can choose any video, channel or collection of channels they like by tapping the '+' button," said Beser (the "+" sign tap is demonstrated in the GIF above). "Parents can also search for a specific creator or video. If parents choose to enable this mode, their kids will not be able to search for content on their own."

Choose between "Younger" or "Older" content groupings.

"YouTube Kids is growing up with our users. We have launched a new experience geared toward 8-12-year-olds that includes additional new content, like popular music and gaming videos," Beser wrote. "If parents think their kids are ready, they can pick this 'Older' version when setting up a new profile or updating an existing profile. The 'Younger' version is the default content experience and will continue to have a wide selection of singalongs and age-appropriate learning videos."

The YouTube team notes that no system is perfect, so if you or your child stumbles across something that isn't age-appropriate in either the "Younger" or "Older" setting, "we ask that parents block and flag the video for review by our team. This makes YouTube Kids better for everyone."

Access the features on your child's profile page.

On the top right, see the options for "Younger," "Older," or "Approved Content Only." You can change between each of these settings — and play with any of the other parental controls — at any time by visiting your child's profile.