YouTube Introduces Expanded Parental Controls for Teens
YouTube is introducing an improved supervised usage feature in its app, allowing parents to have greater control over their children's activity, including what they watch, post, and share.
New Family Centre Features for Parents
With the updated Family Centre, parents will now be able to link their child's YouTube account to monitor their activity more closely. This feature provides insights into how children are using the app, including statistics on engagement and usage.
As YouTube explains:
“This week, we are starting to roll out the first phase of this feature globally. It expands on our existing supervised experience for pre-teens. Soon, parents and teenagers will be able to connect their accounts through the new Family Centre hub. Parents will have access to shared insights about their teenagers' YouTube activity, including the number of uploads, subscriptions, and comments.”
Real-Time Notifications for Parents
Parents will also receive email notifications about significant events, such as when their teenager uploads a video or starts a live stream. These alerts will allow parents to stay informed and maintain greater oversight of their child’s YouTube activity.
Age Restrictions and Guidelines
Children must be at least 13 years old to sign up for a YouTube account in the main app. For younger users, parents can create profiles through YouTube Kids. However, teenagers are eligible for the main YouTube app, which is the focus of this new supervision experience. This update primarily targets monitoring teen uploads and shared content.
Addressing Concerns About Content on YouTube
YouTube has faced several concerns regarding the type of content children may encounter. There have been reports of harmful content and ideological radicalization through YouTube's recommendation algorithms. Popular figures like Andrew Tate, who was banned from YouTube in 2022, have shown how easily young adults can be influenced by online trends and movements.
This enhanced supervision will give parents peace of mind, providing valuable insight into their children's online activities. While it is possible for children to bypass these controls, this feature still offers a level of protection that parents will appreciate.
Global Rollout
YouTube has confirmed that this new parental supervision tool is being rolled out globally starting this week. Parents can look forward to enhanced support in managing their children's YouTube usage and ensuring a safer experience.
