Set content settings for supervised experiences

We give parents choices to guide their kid’s YouTube journey. We believe that kids can discover new interests, learn from diverse perspectives, and feel a sense of belonging when they explore the world of videos across YouTube. If you believe your child may be ready to explore the vast universe of content on YouTube, there are a few options. You can choose between using our separate YouTube Kids app for a safer and simpler experience, or creating and managing a supervised experience on YouTube.

Content settings for families using supervised experiences

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At YouTube, we believe diverse content and hearing from a range of voices can help us learn about one another. This diversity also means being exposed to viewpoints you might not agree with. We have Community Guidelines to help build a safe viewing experience for everyone. We also have more content policies described below that apply specifically for young viewers in a supervised experience. If you're considering a supervised experience on YouTube for your child, we encourage you to review this guide with your family before getting started.

Our approach

YouTube has developed a set of policies on content appropriateness that generally align with TV and movie content ratings. These policies help guide which videos are eligible in the different content settings available for families. Consulting with various external specialists in child development, children’s media, digital learning, and citizenship further informed these policies. Our automated systems, which take these content policies into account, then identify videos suitable to include in each content setting. We know that our systems aren’t perfect and will make mistakes. We have a team of engineers and human reviewers partnering together to continuously improve our systems. We also regularly reevaluate our policies, therefore the policies listed below may not be exhaustive.

If you find something that you believe is inappropriate for YouTube, you can report it.

Content settings

Explore Generally aligns with content ratings for viewers 9+
Explore more Generally aligns with content ratings for viewers 13+
Most of YouTube Almost all videos on YouTube except for content marked as 18+ and other videos that may not be appropriate for viewers using supervised experiences

Content policies

Our content policies differ between the different content settings available to you when you set up a supervised account for your child. Our automated systems, which take these content policies into account, then identify content suitable to include in each content setting. We know that our systems aren’t perfect and will make mistakes. 

Explore

“Explore” is for families ready to move on from YouTube Kids and begin to explore the much larger universe of content on YouTube. This setting features a broad range of videos that generally aligns with content ratings for viewers 9+. Videos include vlogs, tutorials, gaming videos, music videos, news, educational content, DIY, arts and crafts, dance, and more. Some videos may include:

Adult content: Videos with romantic themes, including mild displays of affection and attraction. Age-appropriate educational videos on sexual and gender identity and Sex Education topics like puberty and reproduction.

Violence: Age-appropriate videos related to current or historical events that are educational but may contain mild violence within the context of the event. Non-graphic violence in scripted and animated videos common in cartoons, gaming, television shows, and movies.

Weapons: Videos featuring unrealistic weapons in the context of toy play, gaming, animation, and artistic weapons in a historical context.

Dangerous Content: Videos featuring dangerous acts such as stunts, pranks, and challenges that are not easily imitable by minors or include a prominent disclaimer with appropriate safety disclosures. Videos that briefly display alcohol or tobacco.

Inappropriate Language: Videos with infrequent use of mildly offensive language, such as "damnit" or "hell" in a non-harassing context.

Diet, Fitness, & Beauty: Videos featuring beauty product reviews, age-appropriate make-up tutorials, and educational content on wellness. This content includes healthy eating and exercise.

Sensitive Topics: Age-appropriate videos that discuss sensitive issues such as mental health, addiction, eating disorders, and loss and grief. Videos in this setting do not feature graphic imagery and focus on positive coping and recovery strategies, and the importance of seeking help.

Music Videos: Music videos may include lyrics with mildly offensive language, or mentions of alcohol or tobacco. Videos may also feature sexualized dancing that is not gratuitous, and infrequent displays of alcohol or tobacco.

Explore more

“Explore more” is for children ready to explore more of the vast universe of YouTube. This setting includes everything in Explore, and an even broader range of videos that generally align with content ratings for viewers 13+. Videos include live streams, vlogs, tutorials, gaming videos, news, educational videos, DIY, arts and crafts, dance and more. Some videos may include:

Adult Content: Videos with sexual themes, such as non-explicit accounts of sexual experiences and displays of physical contact. Educational videos on sexual and gender identity and Sex Education topics like sexual development, reproductive health, abstinence, and disease prevention.

Violence: Non-graphic educational videos related to current or historical events. Fleeting graphic violence in scripted and animated videos common in gaming, television shows, and movies.

Weapons: Videos featuring real or realistic weapons in scripted videos common in television shows and movies. Videos featuring real guns when used in a sport or educational context on gun safety.

Dangerous Content: Videos featuring dangerous acts such as stunts, pranks, and challenges that could result in serious physical harm but are not easily imitable by minors. Videos that display or show frequent use of alcohol or tobacco.

Inappropriate Language: Videos with frequent use of offensive language or profanity such as "bitch" or "ass" in a non-harassing or non-sexual context. If infrequent and used in a non-harassing context, derogatory slurs may appear in a strictly educational or music video context.

Diet, Fitness, & Beauty: Videos featuring make-up tutorials, beauty tips and life hacks, and videos related to healthy eating and exercise.

Sensitive Topics: Non-graphic videos related to sensitive issues such as mental health, contemplating suicide, self-harm, addiction, eating disorders, and loss and grief. These videos focus on positive coping and recovery strategies and the importance of seeking help.

Music Videos: Music videos may include lyrics with sexual references, infrequent explicit profanity, or derogatory slurs in a non-harassing or hateful context. Videos may also feature sexualized dancing and use of alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana.

Most of YouTube
“Most of YouTube'' is for children ready to explore the vast universe of YouTube, including content for older teens. This setting includes almost everything on YouTube except for videos marked as 18+ and other videos that may not be appropriate for viewers using supervised experiences. Videos include live streams, vlogs, tutorials, gaming videos, news, educational videos, DIY, arts and crafts, dance and more.

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