In today’s digital age, ensuring the online safety of minors is more crucial than ever. Platforms like YouTube are stepping up their game, introducing new parental controls to help parents manage their children’s viewing habits effectively.
Recently, YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, announced exciting updates that give parents more control over how much time their kids spend watching YouTube Shorts—the platform’s answer to the viral TikToks and Instagram Reels.
Now, parents can set timers to limit their children’s screen time when watching Shorts. This addition is designed to help combat the endless cycle of mindless scrolling.
For those moments when kids need to focus on their studies, parents can even block Shorts entirely—whether temporarily or permanently. It’s all about creating a balanced and productive viewing experience.
In addition, YouTube is introducing custom reminders for Bedtime and Take a Break, encouraging both kids and adults alike to step away from the screen. This feature is a fantastic way to promote healthier viewing habits for the entire family.
Switching between accounts can be tricky for parents who also enjoy YouTube. However, YouTube is set to simplify this process in the coming weeks, allowing easy toggling between adult and children’s accounts with just a few taps. Just remember to switch back!
These enhancements build on YouTube’s existing parental controls, including supervision of a teen’s channel activity, keeping up with industry standards set by platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Last year, YouTube also rolled out age-estimation technology to provide a more tailored experience for teens. This innovative feature ensures that users receive age-appropriate content, making YouTube a safer space for young viewers.
