Should They Play?The parents' guide to apps and games

Should I let my child use YouTube Kids?

7–12

Only with conditions

For ages 7 to 12, with a profile set up for their age and the settings locked with your passcode.

YouTube Kids is a much safer place to watch than YouTube. Children can't comment, chat or message, so strangers can't reach them. The risk is the videos themselves: they're picked by YouTube's automated systems, and inappropriate ones sometimes get through. That's why our answer is only with conditions, from 7, once you've set up a profile for your child's age and locked the settings with your own passcode. For the most control, you can choose every video they can watch yourself. Older children often move to the main YouTube app, which our rules say no to for under-18s: see our YouTube review.

YouTube Kids passes all 7 safety checks. See how we decided, and the official age ratings

Last checked . YouTube Kids is made by YouTube (Google) and runs on iPhone & iPad, Android, Smart TVs, Web.

What is YouTube Kids?

YouTube Kids is a separate, simpler version of YouTube for children aged 12 and under. It shows a filtered selection of YouTube videos, and parents choose an age setting for each child.

Our advice by age

Under 7
NoCommon Sense Media recommends YouTube Kids from 7, even though the App Store says 4+. We follow the highest rating.
7 to 12
Only with conditionsOnly with a profile set to your child's age and the settings locked with your passcode. For younger children, choosing every video yourself is safest. Set up every step below.

What to watch out for

  • Inappropriate videosRisk is medium by default, low with controls on

    Parents have reported swearing, nudity and creepy videos getting through YouTube's automated filters. If you choose every video your child can watch, nothing else gets through.

  • Ads and branded videosRisk is medium by default, medium with controls on

    YouTube Kids shows ads, and some look more like games or entertainment than adverts. Toy unboxing and brand channels are common. A paid YouTube Premium subscription removes the ads.

  • Time spentRisk is medium by default, low with controls on

    Videos play one after another. The built-in timer stops the app when time's up.

  • Contact from strangersRisk is low by default, low with controls on

    There's no way to comment, chat or message, so strangers can't reach your child through the app.

What's good about it

  • No comments, chat or messages, so no contact with strangers
  • Separate profiles with an age setting for each child
  • You can choose every video your child can watch
  • A built-in timer, and nothing to buy

How to set it up safely

Required steps are the conditions of our verdict. If you can't do them, our answer is no. Takes about ten minutes. Do it with your child so they know what's switched on and why.

  1. Set up a profile for each childRequired

    Sign in with your own Google account and choose Preschool (4 and under), Younger (5 to 8) or Older (9 to 12) for each child.

  2. Set your own passcodeRequired

    Replace the sum the app asks by default with your own passcode, so your child can't change the settings.

  3. Turn off search, or choose every video yourselfRequired

    For younger children, Approved content only means they can only watch videos and channels you've picked.

  4. Set a timerRecommended

    The app stops when time's up.

  5. Block anything you don't likeRecommended

    Block a video or a whole channel from your child's profile, and report anything inappropriate.

Recent news

  1. YouTube CEO: We're focused on internal safety efforts, following Meta calls to join settlementCNN

    YouTube says it won't join Meta's settlement with US states over harm to children, and US states say they're ready to take YouTube to court.

  2. Google's YouTube settles case over social media harm to childrenCNBC

    YouTube settled a US case over addictive design before trial, after a jury found it negligent in an earlier case. These cases are about the main YouTube app.

Common questions

What age is YouTube Kids suitable for?

From 7 to 12, with a profile set to your child's age and your own passcode. Common Sense Media recommends it from 7, and it's designed for children up to 12.

Is YouTube Kids OK for a 4-year-old?

We'd wait until 7. The App Store rates it 4+, but Common Sense Media recommends 7+ because inappropriate videos sometimes get through, and we follow the highest rating.

Can strangers contact my child on YouTube Kids?

No. There's no way to comment, chat or message in YouTube Kids.

Can my child see inappropriate videos on YouTube Kids?

Sometimes. Videos are chosen by YouTube's automated systems, and some unsuitable ones get through. Choosing every video yourself with Approved content only stops this.

What about when they're older?

YouTube Kids is for children up to 12. Our rules say no to the main YouTube app for under-18s, because strangers can reach teenagers through comments and live chat: see our YouTube review.

What would change your verdict?

Every video being checked by a person before children see it. Then YouTube Kids could get a plain yes.