How to Use YouTube's Parental Controls

This article explains how to use YouTube’s parental controls. Instructions apply to the browser and mobile versions of YouTube.

Enable YouTube Restricted Mode in Your Web Browser

Restricted Mode is part of YouTube's current parental control offerings. Restricted Mode attempts to filter YouTube search results so that mature content is weeded out. It also prevents your child from viewing material that has been flagged as inappropriate by the YouTube community or has been marked "for mature audiences only" by the content's creator.

Restricted Mode is meant to limit the content of an explicit nature. YouTube makes no guarantees that it is 100 percent effective.

To enable YouTube Restricted Mode:

1. Log in to YouTube and open the home screen.

2. Select your profile image or icon in the upper-right corner of the screen.

3. Select Restricted Mode: Off at the bottom of the menu.

4. Next to Activate Restricted Mode, click the slider to turn on the feature

5. Click Lock Restricted Mode on this browser to prevent your child from turning off restricted mode.

6. The page you were on will reload, and YouTube will be restricted from delivering inappropriate content.

   Repeat this process for every web browser on your computer.

Enable YouTube Restricted Mode on Your Mobile Device

Restricted Mode is available on most YouTube mobile apps. The process for locking the feature is similar on these devices. Here's how to enable Restricted Mode on an iOS device.

1. Open the YouTube mobile app and sign in to your account.

2. Tap your profile picture or icon at the top of the screen.

3. Choose Settings > General.

4. Use the slider next to Restricted Mode to turn on the feature.

5. Use the back arrow to go back to Settings, and then tap the X to close the screen. YouTube will be restricted from delivering inappropriate content.

   YouTube Restricted Mode weeds out content that is inappropriate for children, but you should not rely on it entirely.

What Are YouTube Supervised Experiences?

If they are 13 or under, and ready to explore more than the curated content on YouTube Kids, consider setting up a YouTube supervised experience for your child. With a YouTube supervised experience, parents supervise their child's account and set content settings limiting the videos their child can locate and play.

The child with the supervised account (which is linked to the parent's account) will also access fewer features, different account settings, and curated ads. To create a YouTube supervised experience, your child needs a Google account, which you can set up with Family Link.

How to Create a YouTube Supervised Experience

There are two parts to creating a supervised YouTube experience for your child. First, you'll create a Google account for your child using Google's Family Link app. Next, you'll link to the child's YouTube account and set up their parameters.

Create a Google Account for Your Child With Family Link

To set up a supervised account for your child, you'll need to create and manage a Google Account with Family Link.

1. Download the Family Link app for iOS or Android.
   

2. Open Family Link and tap Get Started.

3. The screen will ask if your child has a Google Account. Tap No.

4. On the Create your child's Google Account page, tap Next.

5. You'll see a message about creating a Google account for your child. Tap Next to continue.

6. Enter your child's first and last names and tap Next.

7. Enter their basic information and tap Next.

8. Select a suggested Gmail address or create your own and tap Next.

9. Enter a password and tap Next.

10. Enter your email and phone number. Your child's account will be linked to this account.

11. You'll see information about your child's Google account, Family Link, and parental supervision. Scroll down and tap the boxes to agree to Google's terms and tap Agree.

12. Enter your password and tap Next.

13. Review the information about your child's account and tap Next.

14. You'll see a message that you've created an account for your child. Tap Next to finish.

Set up Your Child's YouTube Viewing Experience

Now that you've set up a Google account for your child, you can link to their YouTube account and create their supervised experience.

1. Launch the YouTube app and select your profile icon or picture.

2. Select Settings.

3. Next to Parent Settings, select Manage settings for your kids.

4. Select the child's account.

5. Select YouTube and YouTube Music (parent supervised). You can also select YouTube Kids for a more protected experience.

6. YouTube will warn you that even a supervised account can't protect your kids from inappropriate content and that YouTube Kids is a more secure experience. Click Select to continue with a YouTube supervised account.

7. Choose a content setting. Choose Explore for content likely appropriate for ages 9 and up, Explore More for 13-plus content, or Most of YouTube for more comprehensive content.

8. Follow the prompts to set parameters and choose settings for a supervised YouTube experience.