YouTube expands parental controls for supervised teen accounts

By TechWatch PH Staff

YouTube has rolled out new updates to its supervised accounts for teens, giving parents additional tools to guide how their children use the platform, particularly when it comes to short-form video consumption and digital wellbeing.

Under the update, parents of supervised teen accounts can now set daily time limits for YouTube Shorts. The platform also said it is working on an option that will allow parents to set the Shorts time limit to zero, effectively disabling access to short-form videos for supervised teens. These controls are managed by parents through Family Link and are part of YouTube’s existing supervised account framework.

When parents and experts are asked what they want from accounts designed for kids and teens, their priorities consistently center on three key areas: stronger controls that help teach children how to consume content responsibly while giving parents the flexibility to choose what works best for their family; age-appropriate content supported by stricter policies and safeguards, especially for younger audiences; and a more tailored experience for every age, with simpler account setup, built-in protections, and tools that make it easier for parents to ensure their child is using the appropriate YouTube experience.

YouTube also introduced customizable wellbeing reminders, including Bedtime and “Take a Break” prompts, which parents can tailor to encourage healthier viewing habits among teens.

Beyond screen-time controls, the platform announced new content quality principles for teen recommendations, developed with input from youth advisors and child development experts. According to YouTube, these principles are designed to prioritize age-appropriate, enriching, and higher-quality videos for teen audiences. The company said it will share guidance with creators to help them align content with these standards.

The update further includes improvements to the setup and management of supervised accounts, making it easier for families to create, switch, and manage teen profiles within the YouTube mobile app.

YouTube said the changes are part of its ongoing effort to support families by balancing teen independence with parental guidance, as concerns around youth screen time and online content continue to draw attention globally.