YouTube is adding more ways to ensure the content your kids consume on their feeds is age and developmentally appropriate.
Starting today, parents can set screen limits for teen accounts that specifically monitor the amount of time young users spending scrolling through their Shorts feed. As the feature rolls out, parents will also get the option to set Shorts scrolling time to zero. Time controls can be set for specified periods of the day, and caretakers can also create custom reminders that alert their teens to bedtimes or recommend taking a break.
“This is an industry-first feature that puts parents firmly in control of the amount of short-form content their kids watch. This also gives parents flexibility,” said YouTube.
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The company has also penned new best practices for teen users, which will power an updated recommendation engine specific to minor accounts that amplifies what YouTube and consulted professionals deem “high quality” content. Examples given include videos from education accounts like Khan Academy, CrashCourse, and TED-Ed.
YouTube is one of the most popular platforms among adults and teens, and is used by 9 out of 10 teens in the country, according to a recent report by the Pew Center. It’s the only site frequented in equal measure by older and younger adolescents, compared to social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram. The platform has struggled to button up its content moderation and advertising for young users, with past reports of minors encountering graphic content even while scrolling its kids-specific offerings.
YouTube has released a suite of well-being and safety features in response, including a new age verification system powered by AI that flags suspected minor accounts and automatically applies age appropriate settings. Users can upload their IDs to confirm they’re adults if they are incorrectly flagged as under 18. The platform joins many other companies cracking down on child safety risks using age assurance technology, as the industry faces ongoing pressure from federal leaders.
