The Ultimate Guide to Setting Up YouTube Parental Controls
Look, YouTube is basically the Wild West of the internet. One minute your kid is watching a wholesome video about how crayons are made, and three autoplay clicks later they're deep into some bizarre conspiracy theory or watching someone scream at video games with... let's call it colorful language.
The good news? YouTube actually has some decent parental controls. The bad news? They're scattered across different apps and settings, and figuring out which option is right for your family feels like you need a PhD in Google Products.
Let's break this down.
YouTube gives you three main paths, and they're very different:
YouTube Kids (Ages 2-12): A separate app with only approved content. Think of it as the kiddie pool with floaties.
Supervised YouTube Account (Ages 9+): Regular YouTube, but with guardrails. Your kid gets a modified version of the main app with content restrictions you control.
Regular YouTube with Restricted Mode (Teens): The full YouTube experience with a basic filter that tries to block mature content. Emphasis on "tries."
The right choice depends entirely on your kid's age, maturity level, and how much you trust YouTube's algorithms (spoiler: maybe don't trust them completely).
Best for: Kids under 9 who need a truly curated experience.
YouTube Kids is a completely separate app that only shows videos that have been vetted—either by YouTube's automated systems or actual humans. You can set it up in about 5 minutes:
- Download the YouTube Kids app (separate from regular YouTube)
- Create a profile for your child
- Choose a content level:
- Preschool (4 & under): Very basic, think Bluey and simple songs
- Younger (5-8): Broader range, includes crafts, gaming content, vlogs
- Older (9-12): Even more variety, but still filtered
The catch: Even YouTube Kids isn't perfect. Some weird stuff slips through (remember the whole "Elsagate" situation?). You'll want to check the watch history regularly and block channels that feel off.
Pro tip: Turn off Search in the settings. Yes, this limits what they can find, but it also means they can only watch what YouTube has explicitly approved for the homepage and recommendations. Way safer.
Best for: Ages 9-13 who are ready for more content but still need boundaries.
This is honestly the sweet spot for a lot of families. Your kid gets their own Google account that you manage, and they can use the regular YouTube app with restrictions you control.
Here's how to set it up:
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Go to families.google.com and add your child to your Family Link group
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Create a supervised Google account for them (or convert their existing one)
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Choose a content setting:
- Explore: Content suitable for 9+, blocks mature themes
- Explore More: For 13+, includes more topics but still filters explicit content
- Most of YouTube: For older teens, only blocks age-restricted content
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Download the Family Link app on your phone to manage their account
What you can control:
- Which content level they see
- Watch and search history (you can review it anytime)
- Daily time limits
- Bedtime schedules (YouTube locks at specific times)
- Ability to pause their account entirely
The reality check: Kids who are even slightly tech-savvy will eventually figure out they can watch YouTube in a browser while logged out. This isn't foolproof—it's training wheels.
Best for: Older teens where you're mostly concerned about the really egregious stuff.
Restricted Mode is YouTube's attempt to filter out mature content using automated systems. It's the least restrictive option, and honestly, it's pretty hit-or-miss.
To turn it on:
- Open YouTube (on each device—annoying, I know)
- Click their profile icon
- Go to Settings → General
- Toggle on Restricted Mode
The truth: This blocks some stuff, but it's far from comprehensive. Think of it as a basic spam filter, not a security system. Your 15-year-old will still see plenty of content you might not love, but at least the really explicit stuff gets filtered.
Valid question! Some families do this, especially for younger kids. You can:
- Use Screen Time (iOS) or Family Link (Android) to block the YouTube app entirely
- Set up router-level blocking (though this is easier said than done)
- Just... not install it
But here's the thing: YouTube is basically the internet's video library at this point. Educational channels like Crash Course, how-to videos, music, legitimate entertainment—it's all there. Blocking it entirely means your kid will probably just watch at a friend's house or find workarounds.
For most families, some version of YouTube with controls beats a total ban.
No matter which option you choose:
Turn off Autoplay. Seriously. This is how kids end up in the weird part of YouTube. Every video should be an intentional choice, not an algorithm-driven rabbit hole.
Pause watch history periodically. This resets the recommendation algorithm. If your kid watched one Minecraft video and now their entire feed is screaming YouTubers, pause history for a bit.
Review subscriptions regularly. Kids subscribe to channels constantly. A quick monthly check helps you catch anything questionable before it becomes their whole personality.
Talk about the comments section. Just... maybe they don't need to read YouTube comments. Nothing good happens there.
Look, all the parental controls in the world won't matter if you don't talk to your kids about what they're watching and why.
Some conversation starters:
- "What channels are you into right now?"
- "Have you seen anything that made you uncomfortable?"
- "Why do you think that YouTuber is so popular?"
The goal isn't to interrogate them—it's to stay connected to their digital world. When they trust you won't freak out, they're more likely to come to you when something feels off.
YouTube parental controls aren't perfect, but they're better than nothing:
- Under 9? Start with YouTube Kids, curated content only.
- 9-13? Supervised account with Explore mode gives you the best balance of access and control.
- 13+? Supervised account with Explore More or just Restricted Mode, plus ongoing conversations.
The key is matching the tool to your kid's age and maturity level—and being willing to adjust as they grow.
And hey, if you want to dig deeper into how to talk to kids about what they watch online
, or whether YouTube is actually educational or just brain rot, Screenwise can help you figure that out too.
- Decide which level of control fits your family (Kids app, Supervised, or Restricted Mode)
- Set it up this week—it takes 10 minutes, maybe 20 if you're doing multiple devices
- Check in after a few weeks to see what they're actually watching
- Adjust as needed—this isn't set-it-and-forget-it
You've got this. YouTube is manageable. It just takes a little setup and a lot of paying attention.