YouTube announced new parental controls on Wednesday, enabling parents to limit or block children’s and teens’ time watching Shorts amid growing concerns over minors’ online safety.
The Google-owned platform introduced these measures to address time spent on Shorts, its short-form video format comparable to TikTok videos or Instagram Reels. Parents can now set timers on connected child accounts, capping daily or session-based viewing durations precisely. This allows granular management of screen time specifically for Shorts content.
In addition to timers, parents gain the option to block access to Shorts completely. Blocks can apply permanently or temporarily, accommodating scenarios such as restricting entertainment during study periods when children use YouTube for educational videos. This flexibility supports directed use of the platform for learning purposes while preventing diversion to short clips.
YouTube also rolled out customizable Bedtime and Take a Break reminders. These notifications prompt users to pause video watching at designated times, fostering healthy habits. Adults receive the same options, permitting self-imposed limits and reminders on their accounts independent of family supervision features.
Video: YouTube
To streamline family usage, YouTube plans an app update in coming weeks altering the sign-up experience. Parents and children will toggle between accounts using a few taps, simplifying switches without complex navigation. This addresses challenges in maintaining separate profiles within shared devices.
These additions expand YouTube’s established parental controls for teens. Parents can already supervise channel activity when teens create content, monitoring uploads and interactions. Such supervision aligns with industry practices on platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, where comparable oversight tools exist.
YouTube’s enhancements follow last year’s introduction of age-estimation technology. This system analyzes accounts to predict teen ownership, delivering tailored experiences suited to younger users’ ages. Combined with time management tools, it bolsters overall safeguards as international focus intensifies on protecting minors online.
