YouTube parental controls: YouTube Kids, supervised accounts and teens
Choose between YouTube Kids, a supervised YouTube account and teen settings, and set each one up properly for your child's age.
- Under about 9: YouTube Kids, ideally with Approved Content Only.
- About 9 to 12: a supervised YouTube account through Family Link, set to the right content level.
- Teens: their own account with Restricted Mode, autoplay off and a talk about recommendations.
YouTube is one of the most-watched services among Filipino children, on phones, tablets and smart TVs. It also offers more parental control options than many parents realise. The right choice depends on your child's age.
YouTube Kids (younger children)
YouTube Kids is a separate app with a simpler design and a narrower range of videos. When you set it up, choose a content level:
- Preschool (4 and under)
- Younger (5 to 8)
- Older (9 to 12)
- Approved content only: your child can only watch videos and channels you choose
Approved content only is the safest choice for young children, because filters can miss things. It takes a few minutes to pick channels, but it means you know exactly what's available.
Other settings:
- Turn search off for younger children.
- Use the timer to end viewing after a set time.
- Block any video or channel you don't like, from the three-dot menu.
- Turn off autoplay if you'd rather videos don't run on and on.
Supervised YouTube (preteens)
For children ready for more than YouTube Kids, a supervised experience uses the main YouTube app with limits. Set it up through Family Link or YouTube's parent settings. Choose:
- Explore: generally for viewers 9 and older
- Explore More: generally for 13 and older
- Most of YouTube: almost everything except age-restricted videos
Supervised accounts can't comment, upload or go live, and personalised ads are off.
Teen accounts
From 13, teens can have their own YouTube account. YouTube applies some teen protections, such as limiting repeated recommendations of certain types of content and reminders to take breaks. You can also:
- Turn on Restricted Mode (Settings, General) to hide potentially mature content
- Turn off autoplay
- Set Take a break and bedtime reminders
- Link a teen account to yours for supervision in supported regions
Smart TVs and shared devices
YouTube on a smart TV is often signed in to a parent's account. Either sign the TV in to a supervised account, use YouTube Kids on the TV, or turn on Restricted Mode on the TV app.
What controls don't catch
- Inappropriate content disguised as kids' content, like cartoons with violent scenes
- Long hours of Shorts, which can be harder to stop watching
- Comments and links to other platforms in video descriptions
See YouTube recommendations and Shorts for how the feed works and how to talk about it.
Watch together sometimes. Ask your child to show you their favourite channel and why they like it. It tells you a lot about what they're watching.
eGuard sets up screen time, bedtime and app rules on your child's phone and checks that each one is really on. Free for one child.