Parents’ Guide to YouTube

Louise Petty

June 29, 2026

5 min read

Children and young people often use YouTube to watch their favourite creators, learn new skills and keep up with the latest trends. However, like many online platforms, YouTube presents risks, like exposure to inappropriate content, contact with strangers and excessive screen time. In the UK, the Online Safety Act 2023 places greater responsibilities on platforms to help protect children from harmful content, but parents and carers still play a vital role in teaching children how to stay safe online, so it’s important to understand how YouTube works and the safety features it offers.

two young children watching YouTube on laptop in living room

What is YouTube and How Does it Work?

YouTube is a video-sharing platform owned by Google where users can watch, upload and share videos. It’s available through a website and a mobile app and can be accessed on mobile phones, tablets, computers, games consoles and smart TVs.

YouTube hosts an enormous variety of content created by individuals, businesses, charities, educators, broadcasters and organisations from around the world. Videos can be just a few seconds long or several hours in length, allowing users to find content on almost any topic imaginable.

People use YouTube to:

Watch entertainment videos.
Learn new skills through tutorials.
Listen to music.
Watch live streams.
Follow influencers and content creators.
Keep up with news and current events.
Find educational content for school, college or university.

Much of what people see on YouTube is recommended by its algorithm, so rather than showing videos in chronological order, YouTube suggests content based on factors like previous viewing history, searches, subscriptions and similar videos watched by other users. This personalised experience can make the platform engaging, but it can also encourage users to spend longer watching videos than they originally intended.

Users can also interact with content on YouTube in several ways. They can:

Like or dislike videos.
Leave comments.
Share videos with others.
Subscribe to channels.
Create playlists.
Upload their own videos.
Watch live broadcasts and take part in live chats.

While many creators produce informative, educational and entertaining videos, anyone can upload content to YouTube provided they follow the platform’s Community Guidelines. This means the quality, accuracy and suitability of videos can vary significantly, making parental supervision particularly important for younger users.

Why is YouTube so Popular?

YouTube appeals to people of all ages because it offers something for everyone. Whether you want to learn how to cook, watch football highlights, revise for exams or simply relax with funny videos, YouTube provides a huge range of free content that can be accessed almost anywhere.

For children and young people, YouTube can be particularly appealing because it feels personal. Many creators upload videos regularly, allowing viewers to develop a sense of familiarity with their favourite channels. Children may feel as though they know these creators, even though the relationship is entirely one-sided.

Many young people also enjoy creating content themselves. Uploading videos allows them to express their creativity, share hobbies and interests, connect with people who enjoy similar activities, build confidence by developing presentation and communication skills and learn filming and video editing techniques.

Some children may aspire to become successful YouTubers after seeing creators who have built large audiences or turned content creation into a career. While creating videos can be a positive hobby, it’s important that children understand the responsibilities that come with sharing content publicly, including protecting their privacy and thinking carefully before posting anything online.

YouTube can also support learning, as thousands of teachers, educational organisations and subject experts create high-quality videos covering school subjects, practical skills and creative activities. Used appropriately, YouTube can be an excellent educational resource alongside more traditional learning materials.

young person watching YouTube and making notes/doing schoolwork

Does YouTube Have a Minimum Age?

According to YouTube’s Terms of Service, users need to be at least 13 years old to create their own YouTube account. Children under 13 can only use YouTube through a parent-managed account using Google’s supervised experiences or by using YouTube Kids.

In the UK, online platforms have legal responsibilities to help protect children. Under the Online Safety Act 2023, services such as YouTube must take steps to reduce children’s exposure to harmful and age-inappropriate content. This includes using age assurance measures where appropriate and providing stronger protections for children using their services. While these measures are designed to improve online safety, parental supervision and conversations about staying safe online remain essential.

What is YouTube Kids?

YouTube Kids is a separate app designed specifically for children. It provides a limited version of YouTube, using a combination of automated filtering, human review and parental controls to reduce the likelihood of children seeing inappropriate content.

Parents can create profiles on YouTube Kids based on their child’s age, allowing them to choose content designed for preschool children, younger children or older children. Parents can also approve specific videos and channels, block content they do not want their child to watch and set screen time limits.

Although YouTube Kids offers a safer experience than the main platform, no filtering system is perfect. Parents should still supervise younger children while they are using the app and encourage them to tell a trusted adult if they see anything upsetting or confusing.

Does YouTube Have Parental Controls?

YouTube offers a range of parental controls to help families manage what children can access and how they use the platform. These tools don’t remove every risk, but they can significantly reduce the chances of children encountering unsuitable content or spending excessive amounts of time watching videos.

Parents can use Google’s Family Link app and YouTube’s built-in settings to supervise younger users. Depending on your child’s age and account type, parents can:

Choose a supervised viewing experience based on your child’s age and maturity.
Restrict access to age-inappropriate content.
Turn Restricted Mode on to help filter out mature content.
Manage your child’s search settings.
View and manage watch history.
Set daily screen time limits.
Schedule device bedtime or downtime.
Block individual videos or channels.
Approve specific videos and channels for younger children using YouTube Kids.
Manage privacy settings for uploaded videos.
Control whether your child can comment, upload videos or interact with other users.

How to Use YouTube Parental Controls

Setting up parental controls only takes a few minutes and can help create a safer viewing experience. The exact steps may vary depending on the device being used, but the main options are available through Google Family Link, YouTube and YouTube Kids. As children get older, it’s often helpful to review these settings together. Gradually giving children more responsibility while continuing to discuss online safety can help them develop good digital habits that last into adulthood.

To get started:

Create or sign in to your child’s Google account.
Download and set up Google Family Link if your child is under 13 or has a supervised account.
Choose an appropriate supervised experience based on your child’s age.
Turn on Restricted Mode where appropriate.
Set daily screen time limits and bedtime schedules.
Review your child’s viewing history regularly.
Talk to your child about what they watch and encourage them to come to you if something online makes them feel uncomfortable.

Child watching YouTube on iPad with headphones on

What are the Dangers of YouTube?

Although YouTube has many benefits, it’s important to understand the risks children and young people may face while using the platform. Being aware of these dangers allows parents to put appropriate safeguards in place and have regular conversations about staying safe online. Some of the dangers of YouTube to be aware of include:

Exposure to Inappropriate Content

Although YouTube removes content that breaches its Community Guidelines, millions of videos are uploaded every year. Some videos may contain violence, sexual content, swearing, misinformation or themes that are not suitable for younger viewers. Even if a child starts by watching appropriate videos, the recommendation system may suggest other content that is less suitable over time.

Contact With Strangers

Children who comment on videos, upload content or take part in live chats may interact with people they do not know. While many interactions are harmless, there is always a risk that strangers could attempt to contact or manipulate young users. Children should understand that they should never share personal information such as:

Their full name.
Their address.
Their school.
Their phone number.
Their location.
Details about where they spend their free time.

Misinformation

Anyone can upload videos to YouTube, regardless of whether the information they share is accurate or not. Some creators present opinions as facts or deliberately spread misleading information to gain views. Teaching children to question what they see online and check information using trusted sources can help them develop important critical thinking skills.

Harmful Challenges and Trends

Online challenges and trends can spread very quickly. While many are harmless and entertaining, some encourage dangerous behaviour that could result in injury or emotional harm. Children may feel pressure to copy popular creators or take part in challenges simply to fit in with friends or gain attention online.

Cyberbullying

Children who upload videos or leave comments may receive negative or hurtful messages from others. In some cases, this can develop into online bullying or harassment. Parents should encourage children to report abusive behaviour, block users where necessary and speak to a trusted adult if they experience bullying online.

Privacy Risks

Many children don’t fully understand how public the internet can be and videos may accidentally reveal personal information such as where they live, the school they attend or places they regularly visit. Before uploading content, children should think carefully about what can be seen or heard in the background and avoid sharing anything that could identify them.

Advertising and Influencer Marketing

Many YouTube videos include advertising, sponsorships or product endorsements. Younger children may struggle to recognise when creators are being paid to promote products or services, so talking about advertising and helping children identify sponsored content can improve their digital media literacy.

Excessive Screen Time

One of the biggest concerns for many families is the amount of time children spend watching YouTube. Features such as autoplay, personalised recommendations and endless scrolling can encourage users to keep watching for long periods without realising how much time has passed. Too much screen time may contribute to:

Reduced physical activity.
Poor sleep, particularly if devices are used before bed.
Difficulty concentrating on schoolwork.
Less time spent with family and friends.
Increased anxiety or low mood in some children.

Interested in Learning More?

Our Online Safety & Harms Course teaches you everything you need to know about the potential risks and harms children face when using the internet, how to recognise signs that might indicate online harm or abuse and how to effectively address online safety with them.

How to Use YouTube Safely

No online platform is completely risk free, but there are plenty of practical steps parents can take to help children enjoy YouTube safely. Combining parental controls with regular conversations and supervision gives children the skills and confidence to make safer choices online. As children grow older, it’s important to adapt your approach to suit their age and maturity, encouraging independence while continuing to offer guidance and support.

Creating a positive family culture around technology can be just as important as using parental controls. Showing an interest in what your child watches and keeping communication open, can help them develop the confidence to use YouTube responsibly and safely as they grow older.

YouTube Safety for Kids

The following tips can help reduce the risks associated with YouTube while allowing children to benefit from the platform’s educational and entertaining content:

Always use YouTube Kids for younger children where appropriate.
Follow YouTube’s minimum age requirements and avoid allowing children to create accounts before they are old enough.
Set up parental controls using Google Family Link or supervised experiences.
Turn on Restricted Mode to help reduce the amount of mature content your child may encounter.
Set realistic daily screen time limits and encourage regular breaks away from devices.
Disable autoplay if your child tends to watch videos for long periods without stopping.
Encourage your child to watch videos in shared family spaces rather than alone in their bedroom.
Watch videos together occasionally so you can better understand the type of content your child enjoys.
Encourage your child to subscribe to trusted educational, creative and age-appropriate channels.
Talk regularly about online safety, including the importance of protecting personal information.
Remind your child never to arrange to meet someone they have only spoken to online.
Encourage your child to think critically about the information they see online and not believe everything they watch.
Explain how advertising, sponsorships and influencer marketing work so children can recognise when content is promoting products.
Teach your child how to block users and report videos or comments that are inappropriate or upsetting.
Encourage your child to tell you if they see anything that makes them feel worried, uncomfortable or confused, reassuring them they will not get into trouble for speaking up.
Review your child’s privacy settings regularly, particularly if they upload their own videos.
Remind children that anything posted online may remain accessible even if it is later deleted.
Help your child balance YouTube with offline activities such as reading, sports, hobbies and spending time with friends and family.

Like many online platforms, YouTube offers both opportunities and challenges for children and young people. While it can support learning, creativity and social connection, it is important for parents to remain involved in how their child uses the platform. By helping children understand how to use YouTube safely and responsibly, parents can equip them with the knowledge and confidence they need to navigate not only YouTube, but the wider online world.