How to Use YouTube Parental Controls? – Restrict Mode, Supervised Account, SafeSearch, YouTube Kids, and More

YouTube is among the top content distribution sites on the internet today, with users belonging to all age groups. Hence, if your kids are also using the platform, you must think about YouTube Parental Controls.

As it doesn’t have an inbuilt feature, keeping your young ones away from inappropriate videos could be a challenging task. No worries; you can go through these effective steps to ensure that your children don’t come across any mature content.

Can I tell y’all something? I use the parental controls on YouTube kids to block channels that are annoying

— Jonah (@jonahboodrow) September 9, 2023

Quick Answer: It is better to activate the Restricted Mode so that any mature content won’t appear in the suggestions. You can also set up a Supervised account, Google SafeSearch, and sign up for YouTube Kids.

Turn on YouTube’s Restrict Mode

Activating Restricted Mode on YouTube means it will hide potentially mature videos. To enable it on a mobile device, desktop, or even a Smart TV, follow these steps: 

On Mobile

While using a smartphone (Android or iOS device): 

• Open the YT app, and tap the profile icon present at the bottom right.

  

• Tap Settings (the gear icon). 

  

• Then, tap General.

  

• Scroll down and turn on the toggle for Restricted Mode.

  

Did You Know? YouTube is often on Restricted Mode when used in libraries, universities, and other public institutions. However, the platform itself has stated that it is not 100% effective.

On Desktop

To enable the YouTube Restricted Mode on a desktop (Windows or Mac), follow these steps:

• Open YouTube on your browser and click on the profile icon at the top right.

  

• Scroll down the list of options and click Restricted Mode.

  

• Turn on the toggle to ACTIVATE RESTRICTED MODE.

  

On a Smart TV

To turn on the Restricted Mode on a Smart TV, follow these steps:

• Open the YT app on your Smart TV.
• Navigate to the sidebar menu and scroll down to open Settings.
• Go to the Restricted Mode and click the On button when prompted.

What Type of Content is Restricted With Restricted Mode

The Restricted Mode on YT examines the video’s metadata, title, and language used to reach the right audience. Hence, it restricts the following type of content:

• Disturbing reports and videos related to natural disasters, terrorism, war, and heinous crimes.
• Use of drugs and other toxic substances.
• Inflammatory or demeaning content focused on a specific person or group of people.
• Explicit and mature content that is 18+.
• All types of videos have mature/foul language and use of profanity.

Furthermore, you must note that the restricted mode used as parental controls YouTube and age-restricted content are different from each other. Age-restricted content is an option available to the creators to ensure that the uploaded video is suitable for viewers over 18 years of age.

Set Up YouTube’s Supervised Content

You can set up a supervised YT account for your underage kids and then reinforce settings that limit access to inappropriate videos. 

First, you have to download the Family Link app and create your child’s account using it. Here’s how you can do that:

• Download and install the Family Link app on your device (available for Android and iOS).

• Open the app and continue with your existing Gmail account.

  

• Then, it will ask if your child has a Google Account. Tap No.

  

• Now, you’ll have to create an account for your child. Tap Next to proceed.

  

• Enter your child’s name and then tap Next.

  

• Enter their date of birth, and tap Next.

• Then, choose a suitable email address, enter a password, and tap Next.

• Now, enter the email ID (or your email) to which your child’s account will be linked. 

• Agree to the terms and conditions, review the information, and tap Next to confirm everything.

• Now, you’ll receive a message that you’ve created a Google account for your child.

After creating the account for your child using Family Link, you can make changes to their YouTube: 

• First, go to Settings >> Parent Settings >> Manage settings for your kids.

• Then, select your child’s account, and choose YouTube and YouTube Music (parent-supervised) to keep away all inappropriate content.

  

That’s it, you need to answer a few parameters to confirm the settings of your supervised account.

Supervised Accounts Also Restrict These YouTube Features:
Live streams (only with the Explore setting)CommentsCommunity postsIn-app purchasesCreating a channel and uploading videosOther apps on the platform

Sign Up for YouTube Kids

Another option to ensure your teen doesn’t come across any mature content is to use YouTube Kids. It can be accessed via a browser or app and only curates fun, educational, and specific videos for children.

It only shows kid-friendly content but works with supervised accounts. So, you’ll have to create a Google account for your child and then link it with your account. Once it’s ready to use, you can choose from three categories:

• Pre-School – Shows content specifically created for educational purposes for kids under 4 years of age. 
• Younger – Age-appropriate content for kids under 5–8 years of age.
• Older – Content made for older kids between 9–12 years of age.

There’s no doubt that the filters won’t give you a completely safe YouTube experience, but using the Kid’s version of the platform only shows approved content.

However, if you want to ensure that your kid only watches approved content, follow these steps:

• Open the YouTube Kids app.
• Tap the lock icon present at the bottom.
• Enter the passcode if prompted.
• Tap Settings >> Edit Settings >> Approved Content Only
• Tap Add or Remove Videos

That’s it, you can now start adding the content to the watch list that you approve of.

Additional Adjustments You Can Make to YouTube Kids for Safety
Block or share content with your childChange the content level settingsTurn off the Search featureReview your child’s watch historyClear your child’s historyDisable autoplayPause your child’s watch historyPause your child’s search history

Enable Google SafeSearch

Last but not least, you can try Google SafeSearch to filter explicit search results. It could be the easiest initiative you can take as you just have to:

• Visit Google SafeSearch Settings.

• Tap the pointer to “Filter.”

  

That’s it, this will filter out all types of explicit content your child may see on Google Search and probably on YouTube.

Other Tips for Making YouTube Safer for Kids

Apart from the methods to put parental controls on YouTube for iPhone or Android mentioned above, you can consider these tips to ensure your child’s safety:

• Have a word about YouTube safety: Children may have no idea about the types of content on YT, and they may wonder why you’re so concerned about this app. Hence, it is better to have a decent conversation about the videos they should stream online and the ones they need to avoid.

• Make your children aware of internet safety: Help your children understand the importance of safety on the internet. For example, they should know that the advertisements appearing are mostly false and some of them are just a trick to lure the user to steal their personal data.

• Use any third-party tools: There are several third-party apps available online that you can try to block inappropriate content from your kid’s account. Not only this, these apps also help you set screen time, set purchasing permissions, and more.

Family Link is also another effective app but may not be able to provide as many features as these third-party apps can.

Wrapping Up

YouTube can surely be a source of learning for children, but just like many other websites on the internet, it’s not completely safe. As all the content on the platform is user-generated, you never know what your kid may come across.

So, restricting the content may work effectively, and creating an account on YouTube Kids is another option. Being a concerned parent, you can also try any third-party apps if you like.