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

Should I let my child use YouTube?

18+

No

Not for under-18s. Strangers can reach teenagers through comments and live chat, and parents can't lock it. For younger children, YouTube Kids is safer.

YouTube has no private messages, and Google has real protections for children: supervised accounts for under-13s switch off comments, live chat and uploads, and teens' videos are private by default. But from 13, teens can comment and chat during livestreams, where strangers can reply to them and ask them to talk elsewhere. Teen supervision can be switched off by the teen at any time, so parents can't lock any of this, and our answer is no. For under-13s, YouTube Kids is the safer choice. If your teenager already uses YouTube, the steps below reduce the risks.

YouTube fails 2 of our 7 safety checks. See how we decided, and the official age ratings

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

What is YouTube?

YouTube is the world's biggest video site. Anyone can upload, and people can comment on videos, chat during livestreams and post their own videos. YouTube says users must be at least 13 to have their own account.

Our advice by age

Under 13
NoUse YouTube Kids instead. Google's supervised accounts for under-13s switch off comments, live chat and uploads, but YouTube's own minimum age is 13, and Common Sense Media agrees.
13 to 17
NoTeens can comment and use live chat, where strangers can reply, and they can switch off supervision themselves. If your teenager already uses YouTube, set up every step below.

What to watch out for

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

    There are no private messages, but strangers can reply to teens' comments and talk to them in livestream chats, and some use that to move children to other apps. Teens control their own comment settings, and supervision can be switched off, so parents can't lock this.

  • Harmful videosRisk is high by default, medium with controls on

    Anyone can upload, and recommendations follow what keeps people watching. YouTube limits repeated viewing of some topics for teens, and Restricted Mode hides many mature videos, but neither catches everything.

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

    Autoplay and Shorts make it easy to keep watching. Take a Break and bedtime reminders are on by default for teens, but they can turn them off.

  • SpendingRisk is low by default, low with controls on

    Super Chat, memberships and YouTube Premium cost money. Purchase approval on your teen's phone stops surprise bills.

What's good about it

  • Huge amounts of educational and creative content
  • No private messages
  • Teens' uploads are private by default
  • Supervised accounts for under-13s switch off comments, live chat and uploads

If your child already uses it

If your child already uses YouTube, these steps make it much safer. Takes about ten minutes. Do it with your child so they know what's switched on and why.

  1. Set up teen supervision together

    Link your Google account to your teen's in Family Center. You'll see when they upload, comment or go live, though they can switch it off.

  2. Agree comment and live chat rules

    Agree they won't reply to strangers, share personal details or move conversations to other apps.

  3. Turn on Restricted Mode

    It hides many mature videos. On a shared computer, lock it in the browser.

  4. Keep break and bedtime reminders on

    They're on by default for teens. Ask your teen to keep them on.

  5. Turn on purchase approval

    Use Ask to Buy on Apple, or purchase approval on Google Play.

Recent news

  1. Australia targets Facebook, TikTok and YouTube over under-16 accessAnalytics Insight

    Australia's online safety regulator is preparing court cases over whether YouTube does enough to keep under-16s off, under the country's new law.

  2. 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.

  3. FTC probing YouTube over social media policiesInsurance Journal

    The US Federal Trade Commission is looking at YouTube's policies, including AI chatbots aimed at children and teens.

  4. 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.

Common questions

What age is YouTube suitable for?

We don't recommend the main YouTube app for under-18s, because strangers can reach teens through comments and live chat and parents can't lock it. For under-13s, use YouTube Kids instead.

Is YouTube OK for a 10-year-old?

Use YouTube Kids instead. YouTube's own minimum age is 13. Google offers supervised accounts for younger children with comments and live chat switched off, but we follow the highest rating, which is 13.

Can strangers contact my child on YouTube?

There are no private messages, but strangers can reply to your child's comments and talk to them in livestream chats. Teens control those settings themselves.

What's the difference between YouTube and YouTube Kids?

YouTube Kids is a separate app for under-13s with no comments, chat or messages, and a filtered selection of videos. Our answer for YouTube Kids is yes from 7, with conditions: see our YouTube Kids review.

All my child's friends use it. What should I do?

That's hard when everyone's watching it. We'd still say no for now, but explain why rather than just saying it: talk to your child about strangers in comments and live chats, and why videos can pull them in. If your teenager already uses YouTube, set up supervision together, agree rules about replying to strangers and turn on Restricted Mode.

What would change your verdict?

Parents being able to lock a teen's comments and live chat so they can't switch them back on. Even then, because anyone can upload videos, the best possible answer would be 'only with conditions'.