How to set up YouTube supervised accounts: content settings for kids and teens
Move from YouTube Kids to a supervised YouTube account with Older kids, Teens or Older teens content settings — and lock the device side too.
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Verified: Last checked on 5 October 2026 against YouTube Help for supervised kid accounts and content settings (Older kids / Teens / Older teens). Checked against Google's written instructions, not the live app.
⏱ Time: 15–25 minutes | 🔧 Difficulty: Easy–Medium
What you'll need
- Your Google Account
- Usually a child Google Account in Family Link
- YouTube app (and Family Link app if you manage from there)
Step-by-step
- Decide: stay on YouTube Kids, or move to a supervised kid account on main YouTube.
- Create it via YouTube Family Center, the child's device (Get started + your password), families.youtube.com, or Family Link → Controls → YouTube.
[Screenshot: Add a kid account] - Pick a content setting: Older kids (~9+), Teens (~13+), Older teens (~16+). Start lower and raise later.
- Tighten extras: pause history, disable autoplay, block channels/videos, and keep Family Link screen time on.
- Secure the device so they can't switch to an unsupervised adult account freely.
- Test searches and account switching.
⚠️ Watch out
- Filters miss things — report and block.
- Comments on higher tiers can still be rough to read.
- Smart TVs signed into adult accounts bypass phone supervision.
- Report serious concerns to CEOP if needed.
Related guides
- Android Family Link [link to add]
- iPhone & iPad Screen Time [link to add]
- TikTok Family Pairing [link to add]
- Netflix parental controls [link to add]
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Spotted a change? If a menu looks different, tell us whether you used the app, Family Link or the website.
Sources (checked 5 Oct 2026): Set up supervised kid accounts · Content settings · YouTube vs YouTube Kids