YouTube is a vast online video sharing platform that offers a wide variety of content, from educational videos to music videos to movie trailers. While this can be a great resource for kids and adults alike, it's important to be aware of the potential dangers that exist on the site, such as inappropriate content and online predators. Fortunately, YouTube offers a number of parental control features that can help you keep your kids safe online.
In this article, we'll show you how to enable parental controls on YouTube, including how to filter out inappropriate content, set time limits, and block specific channels. We'll also provide some tips for keeping your kids safe online, even when they're not using YouTube.
To enable parental controls on YouTube, follow these steps:
how to put parental controls on youtube
Protect kids from inappropriate content.
- Enable Restricted Mode.
- Use YouTube Kids app.
- Set time limits.
- Block specific channels.
- Talk to your kids.
Parental controls are not a perfect solution, but they can help you keep your kids safe online.
Enable Restricted Mode.
Restricted Mode is a setting on YouTube that helps to filter out inappropriate content, such as violence, nudity, and profanity. When Restricted Mode is enabled, these types of videos will not be shown to users.
- Easy to use:
Restricted Mode is very easy to enable. It can be done with a few clicks in the YouTube settings.
- Effective:
Restricted Mode is effective at filtering out inappropriate content. It uses a combination of human reviewers and automated filters to identify and remove videos that violate YouTube's policies.
- Not perfect:
Restricted Mode is not perfect. It may not catch all inappropriate videos, and some appropriate videos may be filtered out. However, it is a good starting point for parents who want to protect their children from inappropriate content on YouTube.
- Can be overridden:
Children may be able to override Restricted Mode if they know how. Therefore, it is important to talk to your children about why Restricted Mode is important and to let them know that they should not try to override it.
Overall, Restricted Mode is a useful tool for parents who want to protect their children from inappropriate content on YouTube. However, it is important to remember that it is not a perfect solution and should be used in conjunction with other parental control measures.
Use YouTube Kids app.
The YouTube Kids app is a great option for parents who want to give their children a safe and controlled YouTube experience. The app is designed specifically for children, and it only includes videos that have been approved by human reviewers. Additionally, the app has a number of features that allow parents to control their children's viewing experience, such as:
- Time limits: Parents can set daily time limits for how long their children can use the app.
- Content filters: Parents can choose from a variety of content filters to block out videos that they deem inappropriate for their children.
- Approved channels: Parents can create a list of approved channels that their children are allowed to watch.
- Blocked channels: Parents can also block specific channels that they do not want their children to watch.
The YouTube Kids app is available for free on iOS and Android devices. It is also available on some smart TVs and gaming consoles.
Here are some additional benefits of using the YouTube Kids app:
- Easy to use: The app is designed to be easy for children to use, even those who are not yet able to read.
- Engaging: The app features a variety of engaging content, including videos, games, and music.
- Educational: The app also includes a number of educational videos that can help children learn and grow.
Overall, the YouTube Kids app is a great option for parents who want to give their children a safe and controlled YouTube experience.
If you are concerned about your child's safety on YouTube, I recommend that you enable Restricted Mode and/or use the YouTube Kids app. These tools can help you to protect your child from inappropriate content and give you peace of mind.
Set time limits.
Time limits are a great way to help your children manage their screen time and avoid spending too much time on YouTube. YouTube allows you to set daily screen time limits for your children, and you can also set different limits for different days of the week. For example, you might set a shorter time limit for weekdays when your children have school, and a longer time limit for weekends when they have more free time.
To set time limits on YouTube, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your YouTube account.
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select "Settings" from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the "Screen time" tab.
- Toggle the "Screen time limits" switch to "On."
- Set a daily screen time limit for your child.
- Click on the "Save" button.
Once you have set time limits, your child will be able to see how much time they have left each day on YouTube. When they reach their time limit, they will be unable to watch any more videos. However, they will still be able to see their subscriptions, playlists, and other YouTube content. They will just not be able to watch any videos.
Time limits can be a helpful tool for parents who want to help their children manage their screen time and avoid spending too much time on YouTube. However, it is important to remember that time limits are not a perfect solution. Children may still be able to find ways to bypass time limits, such as by using a different device or creating a new YouTube account.
Therefore, it is important to talk to your children about why time limits are important and to let them know that you expect them to follow the rules. You should also monitor your children's YouTube activity to make sure that they are not spending too much time on the site.
Time limits can be a helpful tool for parents who want to help their children manage their screen time and avoid spending too much time on YouTube. However, it is important to remember that time limits are not a perfect solution and should be used in conjunction with other parental control measures.
Block specific channels.
In addition to enabling Restricted Mode and setting time limits, you can also block specific channels on YouTube that you do not want your children to watch. This is a good option if you know of specific channels that post inappropriate content or content that you do not want your children to see.
- Easy to do:
Blocking specific channels on YouTube is easy to do. It can be done with a few clicks in the YouTube settings.
- Effective:
Blocking specific channels is an effective way to prevent your children from watching content from those channels. Once a channel is blocked, your child will not be able to see any of its videos, even if they search for them.
- Can be overridden:
Children may be able to override blocked channels if they know how. Therefore, it is important to talk to your children about why certain channels are blocked and to let them know that they should not try to override the blocks.
- Use in conjunction with other parental control measures:
Blocking specific channels is not a perfect solution. Children may still be able to find ways to watch content from blocked channels, such as by using a different device or creating a new YouTube account. Therefore, it is important to use channel blocking in conjunction with other parental control measures, such as enabling Restricted Mode and setting time limits.
Overall, blocking specific channels can be a helpful tool for parents who want to prevent their children from watching content from specific channels on YouTube. However, it is important to remember that channel blocking is not a perfect solution and should be used in conjunction with other parental control measures.
Talk to your kids.
One of the most important things you can do to keep your kids safe online is to talk to them about it. Talk to them about the dangers that exist online, such as inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and online predators. Let them know that they should always come to you if they see something online that makes them feel uncomfortable.
It is also important to talk to your kids about your expectations for their online behavior. Let them know what websites and apps they are allowed to use, and how much time they are allowed to spend online each day. You should also talk to them about the importance of being respectful of others online and avoiding cyberbullying.
Talking to your kids about online safety is an ongoing conversation. You should have regular check-ins with them to see how they are doing and to answer any questions they have. You should also be aware of the latest online trends and dangers so that you can talk to your kids about them.
Here are some tips for talking to your kids about online safety:
- Start early:
It is never too early to start talking to your kids about online safety. Even young children can understand basic concepts, such as the importance of not sharing personal information online.
- Be open and honest:
Be open and honest with your kids about the dangers that exist online. Don't sugarcoat things, but also don't scare them unnecessarily.
- Listen to your kids:
Listen to your kids' concerns about online safety. Take their concerns seriously and address them in a way that they can understand.
- Set limits and expectations:
Set clear limits and expectations for your kids' online behavior. Let them know what websites and apps they are allowed to use, and how much time they are allowed to spend online each day.
- Be a role model:
Be a role model for your kids by demonstrating good online behavior. Show them how to be respectful of others online and how to avoid cyberbullying.
Talking to your kids about online safety is an important part of keeping them safe online. By having regular conversations with your kids, you can help them to understand the dangers that exist online and to make good choices about their online behavior.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) from parents about how to put parental controls on YouTube:
Question 1: How do I enable Restricted Mode on YouTube?
Answer 1: To enable Restricted Mode on YouTube, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your YouTube account.
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select "Settings" from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the "Restricted Mode" tab.
- Toggle the "Restricted Mode" switch to "On."
Question 2: What is the YouTube Kids app and how do I use it?
Answer 2: The YouTube Kids app is a great option for parents who want to give their children a safe and controlled YouTube experience. The app is designed specifically for children, and it only includes videos that have been approved by human reviewers. To use the YouTube Kids app, simply download it from the App Store or Google Play and create an account for your child.
Question 3: How do I set time limits on YouTube?
Answer 3: To set time limits on YouTube, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your YouTube account.
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select "Settings" from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the "Screen time" tab.
- Toggle the "Screen time limits" switch to "On."
- Set a daily screen time limit for your child.
- Click on the "Save" button.
Question 4: How do I block specific channels on YouTube?
Answer 4: To block specific channels on YouTube, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your YouTube account.
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select "Settings" from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the "Blocked channels" tab.
- Click on the "Add channel" button.
- Enter the name of the channel you want to block.
- Click on the "Block" button.
Question 5: Can my child override the parental controls I have set?
Answer 5: It is possible for children to override the parental controls you have set, but it is not easy. Children may be able to find ways to bypass time limits, access blocked channels, and disable Restricted Mode. Therefore, it is important to talk to your children about why you have set these parental controls and to let them know that you expect them to follow the rules.
Question 6: What are some other tips for keeping my child safe on YouTube?
Answer 6: In addition to setting parental controls, there are a number of other things you can do to keep your child safe on YouTube, such as:
- Talk to your child about online safety.
- Monitor your child's YouTube activity.
- Encourage your child to use YouTube with you.
- Be a good role model for your child.
Closing Paragraph:
I hope this FAQ has been helpful. If you have any other questions about how to put parental controls on YouTube, please feel free to leave a comment below.
In addition to using parental controls, there are a number of other things you can do to keep your child safe on YouTube. These tips include talking to your child about online safety, monitoring their YouTube activity, and encouraging them to use YouTube with you.
Tips
In addition to using parental controls, there are a number of other things you can do to keep your child safe on YouTube. These tips include:
Tip 1: Talk to your child about online safety.
One of the most important things you can do to keep your child safe online is to talk to them about it. Talk to them about the dangers that exist online, such as inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and online predators. Let them know that they should always come to you if they see something online that makes them feel uncomfortable.
Tip 2: Monitor your child's YouTube activity.
It is important to monitor your child's YouTube activity to make sure that they are not watching inappropriate content or spending too much time on the site. You can do this by checking their watch history and their subscriptions. You can also use parental control software to track their online activity.
Tip 3: Encourage your child to use YouTube with you.
One of the best ways to keep your child safe on YouTube is to encourage them to use it with you. This way, you can help them to find appropriate content and to avoid inappropriate content. You can also talk to them about what they are watching and answer any questions they have.
Tip 4: Be a good role model for your child.
Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. Therefore, it is important to be a good role model for your child when it comes to using YouTube. Show them how to be respectful of others online and how to avoid cyberbullying. Also, show them that you value your time and that you don't spend too much time on YouTube.
Closing Paragraph:
By following these tips, you can help to keep your child safe on YouTube. Remember, parental controls are not a perfect solution, but they can be a helpful tool. The most important thing is to talk to your child about online safety and to be a good role model for them.
By following these tips and using the parental control features that YouTube offers, you can help to keep your child safe while they are using the platform.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed a number of ways that parents can put parental controls on YouTube. We have also provided some tips for keeping your child safe on YouTube, even when they are not using parental controls.
The most important thing to remember is that parental controls are not a perfect solution. Children may still be able to find ways to bypass parental controls or to access inappropriate content. Therefore, it is important to talk to your child about online safety and to be a good role model for them.
By following the tips in this article, you can help to keep your child safe on YouTube. Remember to:
- Enable Restricted Mode.
- Use the YouTube Kids app.
- Set time limits.
- Block specific channels.
- Talk to your child about online safety.
- Monitor your child's YouTube activity.
- Encourage your child to use YouTube with you.
- Be a good role model for your child.
By following these tips, you can help to create a safe and enjoyable YouTube experience for your child.
Closing Message:
I hope this article has been helpful. If you have any other questions about how to put parental controls on YouTube, please feel free to leave a comment below.