How to Set Up Parental Controls on YouTube (2026)

Step 1: Set up YouTube Kids for younger children

1. Install and sign in. Install YouTube Kids, sign in with your parent Google account and create a profile for your child.
2. Choose a content level. Pick Preschool (age 4 or younger), Younger (ages 5–8), Older (ages 9–12), or Approve content yourself — where your child can watch only videos and channels you pick.
3. Turn off search. In the profile settings, turn off search so your child only sees recommended or approved content.
4. Set a timer. Tap the lock icon, enter the parent code or your password, and choose Timer to limit how long the app can be used.

Step 2: Block or approve videos and channels

1. Block a video or channel. On a video, tap the three-dot menu → Block this video, or Block this channel.
2. Approve content. With Approve content yourself, use the parent settings to add specific channels, videos or collections.
3. Review history. Check Watch history in parent settings regularly, and block anything you don't like.

Step 3: Supervised YouTube for tweens and teens

Supervised experiences use the main YouTube app for children under 13 and supervised teens ages 13–17. A parent chooses the content tier.

1. Open YouTube controls. In Family Link, choose your child → Controls → YouTube. Or in the YouTube app, go to Settings → Family Center → your child → Content Settings → Edit.
2. Pick a content setting. Choose Older kids (generally age 9+), Teens (generally age 13+), or Older teens (generally age 16+). Older teens still excludes age-restricted 18+ content.
3. Turn off comments and uploads. Supervised experiences can't upload, comment or buy — review what's allowed in YouTube's parent settings.
4. Review teen supervision. For supervised teens ages 13–17, review the linked account and activity available to you in Family Center without expecting access to private watch history.

Step 4: Turn on Restricted Mode on regular YouTube

1. On the app. In YouTube, tap your profile picture → Settings → General, and turn on Restricted Mode.
2. On a computer. Click your profile picture → Restricted Mode, and switch it on. Repeat on each browser and device.
3. Repeat it on each device. Restricted Mode is a light device- or browser-level filter, not account-locked supervision. It may be turned off, so repeat the setting on each device and use a supervised experience for stronger parent controls.

Tip: Restricted Mode is a filter, not a fence — it misses things. Use it as a backup, not the main control.