YouTube parental controls: how to set them up

At a glance

Checked October 2026. Menus change with updates; the official help page linked above has the latest steps.

Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.

YouTube Kids or a supervised account: which to choose

Short answer: YouTube Kids is a smaller, separate app with content levels from preschool up; a supervised account is regular YouTube with a parent-chosen content setting.

1. YouTube Kids content levels: Preschool (designed for 4 and under), Younger (5–8), and Older (9–12). You can also choose Approve content yourself in the YouTube Kids app.
2. Supervised kid account content settings: Older kids (generally 9+), Teens (13+), and Older teens (16+).
3. Age-restricted videos aren't available to anyone under 18 under any setting.
4. Supervised kid accounts can't post comments, upload videos, or live stream.

How to set up a supervised kid account on YouTube

Short answer: Set it up with Family Link, at families.youtube.com, or on your child's device, then manage it in Settings > Family Center.

1. Family Link: open the Family Link app, select your child, then Controls > YouTube > YouTube & YouTube Music, and follow the on-screen instructions.
2. On the web: go to families.youtube.com, sign in to the Google Account you use as your child's parent manager, select your child from your family group, and follow the steps.
3. On your child's device: sign in to YouTube with your child's Google Account that's linked to yours, select GET STARTED, and follow the steps. You'll enter your own password to give permission.
4. To manage it later: in YouTube on your account, select your profile picture, then Settings, and scroll to Family Center.

Options 1–3 need a Google Account for your child first.

How to change the content setting and block a channel

Short answer: Edit Content Settings in Family Center, and block single channels from the channel page.

1. Sign in to YouTube with your linked parent account, select your profile picture, then Settings.
2. Scroll to Family Center and select Manage kids profiles and features for teens.
3. Select your child, then select EDIT next to Content Settings.
4. To block a channel in the YouTube app, go to the channel page, tap More, then Block channel for kids.
5. Tap CONTINUE, tap BLOCK next to your child's name, then tap Done.

How to limit Shorts and turn off autoplay

Short answer: Set a daily Shorts feed limit in Time management, and switch on Disable autoplay.

1. Open Family Center and select your child's account.
2. Choose Time management and set the daily Shorts feed limit. At the limit, the Shorts feed stops for the rest of the day and resets each morning.
3. Back on your child's page, switch Disable autoplay to on; your child can't turn it back on.
4. Switch Pause watch history on if you don't want new views to shape recommendations.

In YouTube Kids, screen time settings are set directly in the YouTube Kids app.

How to turn on Restricted Mode

Short answer: Restricted Mode filters some mature videos on a regular account, but it's set per browser or device.

1. Sign in to YouTube on your computer.
2. Click your profile photo at the top right.
3. At the bottom, click Restricted Mode.
4. Click Activate Restricted Mode.

Repeat this on each browser and each browser profile your child uses. Restricted Mode isn't available on supervised kid accounts.

What these settings can't do

• No filter is perfect. YouTube itself says no automated system of filters is perfect, and asks parents to report videos they find inappropriate.
• Blocking is narrow. Blocking a channel doesn't block the same videos reuploaded on other channels, or similar channels.
• Restricted Mode doesn't follow your child. It works at the browser or device level, so it must be turned on for each browser and profile.
• Signed-out TVs. On a TV, YouTube's 4-digit Parent code (TV app > Settings > Parent code tab) must be entered to watch signed out or to open accounts for older household members; without it, anyone with the TV can.

Parent guides for YouTube

Does YouTube have parental controls?

Yes. Parents can use the YouTube Kids app or a supervised account on YouTube, managed in Settings > Family Center or the Family Link app, plus Restricted Mode on regular accounts.

How do I put parental controls on YouTube?

Set up a supervised kid account with Family Link, at families.youtube.com, or on your child's device, then manage it in Settings > Family Center in YouTube.

What's the difference between YouTube Kids and a supervised account?

YouTube Kids is a separate app with a smaller selection of videos, chosen by human review, curated playlists, and filters. A supervised account is regular YouTube with a content setting you choose and some features turned off.

Does Restricted Mode work on every device?

No. YouTube says Restricted Mode works at the browser or device level, so you turn it on for each browser and each profile. Parents using Family Link can turn it on for a child who isn't eligible for a supervised experience.

More parental control guides

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