Parental Controls for YouTube: How to Set Them Up Properly

YouTube is probably the first platform your child will use, long before TikTok or Instagram. And while there is outstanding educational content on it, there is also an ocean of inappropriate material just one click away.

The problem is not only YouTube itself. It is the algorithm that keeps recommending new videos. A child can start with Peppa Pig and, within 10 minutes of autoplay, end up watching something completely unsuitable.

In this guide you will find the 3 options available to you, what each one does, and which one fits your child's age.

Your 3 Options

Option 1: YouTube Kids (Ages 2–8)

YouTube Kids is a separate app, not just a setting inside the regular YouTube.

What it does well

• Curated content by age group (Preschool, Younger, Older)
• Search can be disabled entirely
• Built-in timer so you can set a viewing limit inside the app
• No comments
• No live streaming or uploading

How to set it up

1. Download YouTube Kids from the Play Store or App Store
2. Open it and select an age group: Preschool (up to 4), Younger (5–8), or Older (9–12)
3. Tap the lock icon (bottom right) and go to Settings
4. Disable Search if you want your child to see only recommended content
5. Set a Timer, for example 30 minutes
6. Turn on "Approve content yourself" if you want to hand-pick the channels

Things to watch out for

YouTube Kids is not perfect. Inappropriate content sometimes slips through, either disguised as children's content (the so-called "Elsagate" videos) or simply due to incomplete filtering. Google continually improves the filters, but no automated system catches everything.

The fix: check in every now and then to see what your child is watching. If you find something inappropriate, tap the three dots and choose "Block this video" or "Block this channel".

Option 2: Supervised Account (Ages 9–13)

For children who have outgrown YouTube Kids but are not yet ready for the full YouTube experience.

What it is

A child's Google account (set up through Family Link) with supervised access to regular YouTube, combined with content filters.

How to set it up

1. Make sure your child has a Google account through Family Link
2. In Family Link, go to your child's profile and open YouTube Settings
3. Choose a content level:
   • Explore (9+): stricter filtering
   • Explore More (13+): more relaxed
   • Most of YouTube (almost everything except 18+ content)
4. Decide whether your child will be able to use search

What it does

• Filters videos by age category
• Disables comments at the stricter levels
• No live streaming or in-app purchases
• Search and watch history can be reviewed through Family Link

What it does not do

• It is not completely safe. A fair amount of inappropriate content can still get through
• It does not show you what your child is watching in real time
• If your child accesses YouTube via a browser instead of the app, the filters may not apply

Option 3: Restricted Mode (Ages 13+)

The most basic setting. Suitable only for older teens as a first layer of filtering.

How to turn it on

1. Open YouTube on your child's device
2. Tap the profile icon, then go to Settings > General
3. Toggle on Restricted Mode

What it does

Filters videos that have been flagged as inappropriate and hides comments on many videos.

What it does not do

It does not catch everything. A lot of inappropriate content is simply never flagged. It does not set time limits. And your child can turn it off if they know where to look, unless it is locked via Family Link.

The reality: no filter is enough on its own

All three options help, but none of them replaces:

Conversation. Talk to your child: "If you see something that worries you or makes you uncomfortable, come and tell me. You won't be in trouble."

Involvement. Sit with them every now and then. Ask "what are you watching?" with genuine curiosity, not as an interrogation.

External tools. A device-level parental control app can:

• Set a daily time limit specifically for YouTube (for example, 45 minutes per day)
• Filter websites that YouTube's own controls do not cover
• Show you exactly how much time your child is actually spending

SafeNeat does exactly that: per-app time limits, content filtering, and usage reports. It does not replace YouTube's own filters. It complements them.

Frequently asked questions

Is YouTube Kids safe?

Safer than regular YouTube, yes. But not 100% safe. Inappropriate content does occasionally slip through. Use it alongside regular supervision. See our full guide to YouTube Kids safety.

Can I block specific channels?

In YouTube Kids, yes. Tap the three dots on any video or channel and choose Block. In regular YouTube you can tap "Not interested" or "Don't recommend channel", but that is not a full block.

What about YouTube Shorts?

Shorts follow the same filtering rules, but the TikTok-like experience (infinite scroll, autoplay) makes them far more addictive. Consider setting a time limit on YouTube as a whole, not just on "regular" videos.

Which is better: YouTube Kids or a Supervised Account?

It depends on age. Under 8 or 9, go with YouTube Kids. From 9 upwards, a Supervised Account. After 13, Restricted Mode combined with trust and device-level parental controls.

How do I know how much time my child spends on YouTube?

Inside YouTube you can check Profile then Time Watched. But your child can see that too, so they may clear their history. With a parental control app like SafeNeat you get accurate data on your own device.