[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”1355.3px” custom_margin=”||-391px|||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”380.3px” custom_margin=”-89px|auto|-306px|auto||” custom_padding=”53px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”69px” custom_margin=”31px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Since its launch in 2005, YouTube has become an online phenomenon and an emblem of the internet age. It\u2019s the world’s most popular video-sharing platform and the <\/span>second-most-visited website<\/span><\/a> in the world, after Google. Its popularity has only gone up thanks to the addition of <\/span>Shorts<\/b> – hyper-engaging, short-form videos similar to what you\u2019ll find on TikTok and Instagram Reels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kids and teenagers today haven\u2019t ever known a world without YouTube and its billions of hours of content. Wherever kids\u2019 interests lie, content creators are busy pumping out videos to keep young eyes glued to screens – our 2024 report on app use showed that kids globally spent an average of <\/span>74 minutes per day<\/span><\/a> on YouTube. \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”380.3px” custom_margin=”-89px|auto|-306px|auto||” custom_padding=”53px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”48px” custom_margin=”||-12px|||” custom_padding=”18px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”25px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n YouTube offers an immense library of content, ranging from educational tutorials and music videos to gaming playthroughs. Young users can <\/span>watch videos and live streams, and subscribe to their favourite channels.<\/b><\/p>\n Creative teens can <\/span>start their own channels and upload videos<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>allowing them to express themselves and connect with a community while learning life-long skills, like presenting, storytelling, and video editing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kids also enjoy <\/span>Shorts<\/span><\/a>, a feature available on the YouTube app and website that plays vertical videos of 3 minutes or less, similar to <\/span>TikTok<\/span><\/a> and Instagram Reels. Users can watch the next Short by simply swiping up – and like TikTok, the content stream is never-ending, while<\/span> the more you watch, the more tailored to your tastes the videos become.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”48px” custom_margin=”||-12px|||” custom_padding=”18px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”25px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The general minimum age to create a Google account, and therefore a YouTube account, is 13 years old,<\/b> although some European countries require kids to be older. France and Spain, for example, have age requirements of 15 and 14, respectively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n YouTube relies on the birthdate entered during account creation, along with an <\/span>AI-based age estimation<\/span><\/a> model (currently only available in the US), to determine a user\u2019s age. If YouTube believes a user is under 18, it will tailor the experience with teen safety in mind, such as by restricting age-inappropriate videos, adding safeguards to video recommendations, turning on bedtime reminders, and more. If the age estimation model flags that a user is under 13, and the account was created with a false birthdate, YouTube will suspend or terminate the account. If this was done in error, a parent can verify their child\u2019s age and give consent using Google Family Link.<\/span><\/p>\n Parents should keep in mind that <\/span>anyone – including children – can access and watch most content on standard YouTube without logging in or creating an account. <\/b>However, without signing in, they won\u2019t be able to interact with the videos or view age-restricted content.<\/span><\/p>\n Children under 13 can use <\/span>YouTube Kids<\/b>, the version of YouTube designed especially for younger viewers with a curated selection of content and added safety features. Although certainly safer than the standard YouTube for under-13s, parents should still be aware of some of its <\/span>potential risks<\/span><\/a>. <\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”25px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_toggle title=”Excessive screen time” open=”on” icon_color=”#36383B” toggle_icon=”||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”28px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n YouTube’s endless stream of videos tailored to the viewers’ tastes, along with the addictive nature of YouTube Shorts, can easily contribute to<\/span> too much screen time<\/span><\/a>. If left unchecked, this can negatively impact sleep, mental health, and overall wellbeing, especially for young people.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Adult concepts” open=”on” icon_color=”#36383B” toggle_icon=”||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”28px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Although YouTube’s <\/span>Community Guidelines<\/span><\/a> prohibit sexually explicit videos, including pornography and content that sexualizes or endangers children, its vast content library includes videos that discuss or depict mature themes, including sexuality, drug use, profanity, and other adult concepts. Malicious users have also been known to insert adult content into videos clearly intended for children. Despite content moderation that uses both automated systems and human reviewers, the huge quantity of videos on the platform makes moderation extremely challenging.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Young people may also encounter adult concepts and bad language in the platform’s chat and messaging features and in the comment section of videos.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Cyberbullying” open=”on” icon_color=”#36383B” toggle_icon=”||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”28px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n YouTube’s comment sections and live chat features can be breeding grounds for <\/span>cyberbullying<\/span><\/a> and harassment, including offensive language and personal attacks. These spaces can devolve into what is often referred to as \u201ccomment section warfare\u201d, where users engage in heated arguments, insults, and even threats, highlighting the need for young people to be aware of the potential for encountering toxic behaviour in these spaces and to exercise caution when engaging in online discussions. Although YouTube offers <\/span>tools for reporting and blocking users<\/span><\/a>, the sheer volume of content and interactions makes it challenging to moderate effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_toggle title=”Deceptive content and echo chambers” open=”on” icon_color=”#36383B” toggle_icon=”||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”28px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n YouTube can be used to spread misinformation, <\/span>conspiracy theories<\/span><\/a>, and other deceptive content, and users may encounter videos that present false information as fact or promote harmful ideologies. This can be particularly concerning for young people, who may be more susceptible to believing misleading information. Users can create fake accounts, making it easy to misrepresent themselves on the platform.<\/span><\/p>\n An \u201cecho chamber\u201d online occurs when a platform\u2019s algorithm repeatedly shows a viewer content that reinforces the same opinions, beliefs, and ideologies, with little to no exposure to differing viewpoints. This can be particularly problematic for teens who are still finding their place in the world and are more susceptible to repeated messaging.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Violence” open=”on” icon_color=”#36383B” toggle_icon=”||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”28px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Some YouTube content may <\/span>depict violence<\/span><\/a>, including graphic content in news reports or documentaries, violent video game footage, or even user-generated videos of fights or assaults. Users with bad intentions have also been known to bury violent content in videos that are clearly intended for children. As with adult content, the Community Guidelines prohibit overly graphic or gratuitous violence, but it’s still possible for young people to encounter disturbing content that has slipped through moderation.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Adult to child contact” open=”on” icon_color=”#36383B” toggle_icon=”||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”28px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If writing comments is <\/span>enabled for young users<\/span><\/a>, or a child has lied about their age when creating an account, a video\u2019s comment section might be used by adults to initiate contact with children. <\/span>Online predators<\/span><\/a> may use deceptive tactics to groom children or try to solicit personal information.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”335.1px” custom_margin=”-18px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”16px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2025\/10\/15140522\/2025-10-Blog-Is-YouTube-safe-for-kids__Inside-Image.jpg” alt=”Teenage girl watching YouTube on her phone” title_text=”2025-10 %91Blog%93 Is YouTube safe for kids__Inside Image” align=”center” admin_label=”Image” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”12px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”12px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”69px” custom_margin=”31px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If your teen already uses YouTube, wants to create an account, or wants to move on from YouTube Kids, consider the following steps to keep their screen time safer on the platform:<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Set up a supervised experience<\/b><\/p>\n YouTube\u2019s supervised experience can be set up through Google\u2019s <\/span>Family Link<\/span><\/a>, and allows parents to manage content settings for teens and monitor the videos and Shorts they watch. With linked accounts, a parent can choose between <\/span>3 content control levels <\/b>depending on the child\u2019s age and maturity level:<\/span><\/p>\n Explore and Explore More also restricts comments, which reduces the risks of being exposed to inappropriate language and problematic interactions.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n 2. Combine supervision with conversation<\/b><\/p>\n As with all parental controls, YouTube\u2019s supervised experience works best when paired with <\/span>open, ongoing conversations<\/b> \u2013 encouraging cooperation, trust, and responsible online behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n You can start the ball rolling by asking about the videos they\u2019ve watched lately, what they\u2019ve liked\/didn\u2019t like, and even watching together. Not only can this give you better insight into their viewing habits, but it can also encourage them to come to you if they encounter something troubling.<\/span><\/p>\n 3. Urge them to stick to screen time reminders<\/b><\/p>\n For users aged 13-17, YouTube gives \u201c Take a break\u201d\u00a0 and \u201cBedtime\u201d reminders to encourage young users to be mindful about their screen time. Take a break prompts appear after a set period of continuous viewing (default is every 60 minutes), and Bedtime reminders tell users to stop watching and go to bed at a designated time (default is 10:00 PM). You and your teen can agree on fair limits and adjust the defaults via supervised experience.<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Encourage critical thinking<\/b><\/p>\n If your child encounters misleading content or finds themselves in an echo chamber, this is an opportunity for them to <\/span>build their critical thinking skills<\/span><\/a>. Help them evaluate the content to identify potential biases or misinformation, and be wary of videos promoting harmful behaviour or ideologies.<\/span><\/p>\n Some good starter questions can be:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5. Add an extra layer of parental controls<\/b><\/p>\n While a supervised experience through Family Link helps restrict access to age-inappropriate videos, many parents may also need <\/span>comprehensive parental contro<\/span><\/a>ls to keep their kids safe on YouTube and beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n By adding Qustodio to your YouTube safety strategy, you can:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n YouTube is one of the cornerstones of the internet and where kids spend a good chunk of their online time, whether it\u2019s watching educational videos, vlogs, or game playthroughs. However, we need to take care to ensure that kids are staying safe on the platform and watching content that is appropriate for their age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For children over 13, or for those whose parents feel they\u2019ve outgrown YouTube Kids, the first step is to set up a supervised experience to help filter the content available to them. This, along with some conversation and boundary-setting, can help your child safely enjoy YouTube\u2019s wealth of content.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Since its launch in 2005, YouTube has become an online phenomenon and an emblem of the internet age. It\u2019s the world’s most popular video-sharing platform and the second-most-visited website in the world, after Google. Its popularity has only gone up thanks to the addition of Shorts – hyper-engaging, short-form videos similar to what you\u2019ll find […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":94577,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[293,315,494],"class_list":["post-94543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-app-safety-and-reviews","tag-app-reviews","tag-online-video-streaming","tag-tweens"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat do kids do on YouTube?<\/b><\/h2>\n
What\u2019s the age requirement for YouTube?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Is YouTube safe for kids? The risks parents need to know<\/b><\/h2>\n
\u00a0<\/h2>\n
5 steps to make YouTube safer for your child<\/b><\/h2>\n
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