YouTube parental controls for kids
The easiest way to manage your child's YouTube time is Kite: make YouTube one of the apps that wait for earned time, or give it its own price, so they watch with minutes earned through chores. Plus the content settings you need.
The easiest way: Kite
In Kite you make YouTube one of the apps that wait for earned time, or give it its own price in points, so your child buys minutes by completing chores; time only counts while they watch.
YouTube Kids for younger children
A separate YouTube app for kids. During setup you pick a content level by age, or "Approved content only" to choose the channels and videos yourself. It also has a timer.
Restricted Mode
In regular YouTube: profile picture → Settings → General → Restricted Mode. It hides much of the mature content but is not perfect, and it is turned on per device or browser.
The supervised experience
For older children with a Google account you supervise through Family Link, you can choose the allowed YouTube content level in Family Link's settings.
Watch time itself
Content settings do not limit duration. To limit YouTube time, give it a daily limit in a parental control tool, or make it an app that opens with earned time.
Make and print a free chore chart for your child →
Quick answers
What age is regular YouTube for?
YouTube's terms require users to be at least 13 for their own account, unless the account is supervised by a parent.
Is Restricted Mode enough on its own?
No. It reduces mature content but does not catch everything and does not limit time; combine it with a time limit and a conversation with your child.
Source: YouTube Kids Help — content settings · YouTube Help — Restricted Mode · Google — Family Link Help
Last updated: · The Kite team
