How it works
Users view recommended videos, subscribe to channels or upload their own content. A channel is a user’s personal profile page that hosts their videos and identifies them when they post comments. Shorts are vertical videos under three minutes long. A paid YouTube Premium subscription removes adverts and enables background play, which allows a video’s audio to continue playing even if the app is closed or the screen is locked.
Parental controls or safety settings available
Parents can set up a supervised account via Family Center or Family Link, choosing from three content levels:
• Explore (9+)
• Explore More (13+)
• Most of YouTube (almost everything except age-restricted content)
A Shorts Timer allows parents to set daily scrolling limits or block the feed entirely by setting the timer to zero. For teenagers (13–17), parents can monitor uploads, comment history, and the number of live broadcasts without seeing private message content. Additional controls include the ability to disable autoplay, set custom break and bedtime reminders, and clear or pause search and watch history.
Supervised accounts enable parents to filter videos and control what their child can watch, search for and upload. Children under 13 cannot create their own YouTube account independently. However, a parent can create a supervised account for them to use. Some of these controls can also be managed in the YouTube Family Centre.
*Users under the age of 13 will require relevant permissions from parents/guardians
