Keeping kids safe online is a goal of any parent and YouTube has just announced a brand new way to keep safety at the forefront. When your budding young adults have outgrown YouTube Kids, you’ll soon be able to give age-appropriate access to YouTube through the new supervised experience option.
Geared especially for parents who are ready to let their tweens and teens explore YouTube, you’ll soon be able to create a supervised Google account, which will come with content setting and limited features. YouTube is launching a beta version in the coming months so families can test and provide feedback as the experience improves.
The early options will include three content settings for parents to choose from. They include:
- Explore: Perfect for the transition from YouTube Kids to YouTube, this setting has content suitable for viewers ages nine and older and includes vlogs, tutorials, gaming videos, music clips, news, educational content and more.
- Explore More: This setting is for kids 13+ and will include an expanded set of videos and live streams.
- Most of YouTube: Includes almost all videos on YouTube and sensitive topics that may only be appropriate for older teens but does not include age-restricted content.
Parents will also be able to manage watch and search history from within their child’s account settings, in addition to controls using Google’s Family Link. The supervised experience will feel like a regular visit to YouTube, but without personalized ads or ads in certain categories. Upon launch, all in-app purchases will also be disabled.
“Kids are online now more than ever, and their safety online is a top priority. National PTA appreciates YouTube advancing age-appropriate experiences, as well as implementing settings that enable families to choose an experience that feels appropriate for their child. We’re pleased that YouTube has responded to families’ needs and wants and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to bring awareness to families about these new options and how to choose an experience that’s best for them, ” says Leslie Boggs, president of National PTA.
Head to YouTube to learn more about the all-new supervised experience optioon.
––Karly Wood
All photos: Courtesy of YouTube
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