How to set parental controls for safer YouTube viewing

Are you worried about the content your child may see on YouTube? You can easily restrict inappropriate or explicit videos by turning on Restricted Mode on the YouTube app or website. If you want more parental control over your child’s viewing experience, you can sign them up for a supervised YouTube account. For younger children, you can create a profile for them on YouTube Kids—a safer, separate app for videos. This guide will show you how to put parental controls on YouTube using a computer, iPhone, Android, or Smart TV.

Before you start: Ensure you have a Google account for managing settings and verify your child’s age for account creation.

How to set parental controls on YouTube

This guide provides steps for enabling Restricted Mode and creating supervised accounts on various devices.

Using Restricted Mode (Mobile)

First, open the YouTube app. This looks like the red play button with a white background.
If you aren’t already logged in, do so now with the account your child uses.
Tap your profile photo in the top-right corner.
A menu will open. Tap Settings underneath Your data in YouTube.
Tap General near the top of the page.
Toggle on Restricted Mode. Be aware that no filter is 100% accurate, and some videos may bypass the filter.
If needed, you can block specific YouTube videos.
You can also set up parental controls on iOS with Screen Time.

Using Restricted Mode (Desktop)

Go to youtube.com in a web browser.
If you aren’t already logged in, do so now with the account your child uses.
Click your profile photo in the top-right corner.
A menu will open. Click Restricted Mode: Off underneath Appearance and Language.
Toggle on Activate Restricted Mode. Be aware that no filter is 100% accurate, and some videos may bypass the filter.
If you don’t want your child to use YouTube at all, you can block YouTube on their browsers and devices.

Using Restricted Mode (Smart TV)

Open the YouTube app on your Smart TV.
If you aren’t already logged in, do so now with the account your child uses.
Open Settings. This may look different depending on your TV.
Open Restricted Mode. You may need to scroll to find this option.

Using a Supervised Account

Create a Google account for your child if they are under 13.
Sign into the YouTube app or youtube.com.
Click or tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
Select Settings next to the cog icon.
Select Parent Settings. Your child’s account should be listed here.
Select your child’s account.
Select YouTube (parent supervised).
Select a content setting:
- Explore: Content for viewers over age 9.
- Explore more: Content for viewers over age 13.
- Most of YouTube: Many videos except 18+ content.
Select Finish Setup. Optionally, toggle on Pause watch history and Pause search history.
Consider using YouTube Kids for a more supervised experience.

Using YouTube Kids

Download the YouTube Kids app or go to youtubekids.com.
Select I’M A PARENT to proceed.
Enter your birth year and click Submit to verify your age.
Create a profile for your child by entering their name, age, and birth month.
Select a content setting ranging from Preschool (ages 4 and under) to Older (ages 9 to 12).
Enable or disable Search for your child.

Pro tip: Regularly review the settings and the content your child accesses to ensure they are safe and appropriate as they grow.

By using these parental controls, you can create a safer viewing experience on YouTube for your child. Implementing Restricted Mode helps filter out explicit content while supervised accounts offer tailored content settings suitable for their age. Furthermore, YouTube Kids is an excellent alternative for younger audiences, providing an environment specifically designed for children, ensuring peace of mind for parents while allowing kids to enjoy videos safely.