YouTube Kids, YouTube & your child's Google Account

Children under 13 can use the YouTube Kids app where it’s available. However, they can't use any other YouTube apps, websites or features until they turn 13.

Note: Children may begin using other YouTube apps and features when they are 13 years old. Learn more.

How youTube Kids works

The YouTube Kids app includes both popular children's videos and diverse new content, delivered in a way that is easy to use, for children.

If you let your child download the YouTube Kids app, you'll set up the app for your child before they can use it. 

Note: YouTube is not available for children under the age of 13. Children under the age of 13 must use YouTube Kids.

You'll decide:

• The content level setting that you want for your child (available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Jamaica, Philippines and South Africa)
• Whether your child can use the search function in the app

Note: There are some other YouTube Kids settings, like sound and casting, which can only be changed from your child's app. Learn more in the YouTube Kids Parental Guide.

Change YouTube Kids settings

1. On your device, open the Family Link app .
2. Select your child.
3. On the ‘Settings’ card, tap Manage settings More YouTube Kids. You won't see ‘YouTube Kids’ if you haven't set up the app for them.
4. Choose your child's settings:
   • Content level: Choose the content level that's right for your child.
   • Search: Turn Search on or off
   • Unblock videos: Unblock all videos and channels that have been blocked in your child's YouTube Kids app

How YouTube works

Supervised children can use the YouTube app, website and other features if they are over 13.

If they are under 13, they can use the YouTube Kids app where it’s available.

If you add supervision to an existing account for a child 13 or under, their YouTube videos, chats, comments, live chats, posts, playlists, stories, purchased and rented YouTube videos, as well as subscriptions, will be deleted.

Google recommends that children download their data before setting up supervision. Learn more.

Control access to YouTube

Block or allow the YouTube site

Follow these steps to control whether your child can go to the YouTube site on their Android device or Chromebook.

Note: For more information on access control, visit the YouTube Kids Parental Guide.

Block or allow the YouTube app

Follow these steps to control whether your child can use the YouTube app on their Android device or Chromebook.

Note: For more information on blocking the YouTube app, visit the YouTube Kids parental guide.

Turn Restricted mode on or off

No content filter settings are turned on in YouTube by default. You can turn on Restricted mode to help screen out potentially mature content that you may not want your child to see. No filter is 100% accurate, but it should help your child avoid most of this content.

Restricted mode works on the device or browser level, so you must turn it on within YouTube on each device or browser that your child uses. Learn more.

To turn Restricted mode on or off from Family Link:

1. On your device, open the Family Link app .
2. Select Manage Settings  Filters.
3. Select YouTube .
4. Turn 'Restricted mode' on or off.

Important: Only available for parents and children over 13.