unhackchildhood.com/how-to/youtube-parental-controls · Checked against official instructions on September 24, 2026
THE WALKTHROUGH
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Choose the right option
YouTube Kids is a separate app with Preschool (ages 4 and under), Younger (ages 5–8), and Older (ages 9–12) settings. A supervised kid account opens regular YouTube, with filters, for a child under 13. A supervised teen account links your account to your teen’s. You see their channel activity, but you can’t choose what they watch.
Set up YouTube Kids
Open the YouTube Kids app, sign in, and add your child’s name and age. Pick Preschool, Younger, Older, or Approve content yourself. Later, go to Settings > solve the math problem or enter your passcode > your child’s profile > your password. Tap Edit settings to change the level, or switch Search off. For a time limit, go to Settings > math problem > Set timer > Start timer.
Create a supervised kid account
For a child under 13, open the YouTube app on your phone and go to You > Settings > Family Center > Add a kid account. This way does not need a Google Account for your child. If you don’t see that option, or your child already has a Google Account, use the Family Link app instead: your child > Controls > YouTube.
Choose what your kid can watch
Go to You > Settings > Family Center > your child > Edit next to Content Settings. Pick Older kids (generally 9+), Teens (13+), or Older teens (16+). Older kids hides comments and live streams. The other two allow reading comments and watching live streams, but not writing comments. On your child’s page, also turn on Disable autoplay and Pause watch history.
Link your teen’s account
Your teen needs their own Google Account and YouTube channel, and you both must agree. Go to You > Settings > Family Center > Invite a teen > Create invite. Your teen scans the QR code, or you send them the link. Then open Family Center > your teen > Channels and activity to see uploads, live streams, comments posted, and subscriptions.
Set Shorts and bedtime limits
Go to You > Settings > Family Center > your child or teen > Time management. Set a daily Shorts feed limit; YouTube says parents can set it to zero. When time runs out, the Shorts feed stops for the rest of the day and resets the next morning. On the same tab, set take a break and bedtime reminders. Reminders can be dismissed.
Cover shared screens and the TV
Restricted Mode helps screen out potentially mature videos and hides comments, but it works only in the browser, device, or profile where you turn it on. Phone: profile photo > Settings > General > Restricted Mode. Computer: profile photo > Restricted Mode > Activate Restricted Mode. On the TV’s YouTube app, go to Settings > Parent code and set a 4-digit code to block signed-out viewing.
FIVE-MINUTE CHECK
Verify, don't assume.
- Your child’s YouTube Kids profile shows the content level you picked
- Search is off in YouTube Kids, unless you chose to leave it on
- Family Center lists every child and teen you supervise
- Time management shows a daily Shorts feed limit
- Restricted Mode is on in each browser and profile your child uses, and the TV asks for a parent code
WHAT THE CONTROLS DO NOT SOLVE
- Teen supervision depends on your teen. Either of you can turn it off at any time. It shows channel activity, like uploads and comments, and does not let you choose what they watch.
- Filters miss things. YouTube says its systems aren’t perfect, and blocking a channel does not block its videos when they are re-uploaded on other channels.
- Settings stay where you set them. Restricted Mode covers one browser, device, or profile, and a TV parent code covers one TV. A signed-out browser or a friend’s device has none of your settings.
OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Platform features and menus change frequently. This guide was checked against the linked official documentation on September 24, 2026.