YouTube is implementing new parental control features amid increasing debate over the effects of social media on young people. The video platform will soon allow parents too set daily time limits for its short-form “Shorts” videos and will automatically enable break and bedtime reminders for users aged 13-17. These updates reflect a broader industry trend toward greater user safety and address growing concerns from researchers and policymakers regarding potential social media addiction and mental health impacts on adolescents.
YouTube is introducing new parental control features designed to limit children’s exposure to short-form video content, a response to growing concerns about social media dependency among young people. The platform will allow parents and guardians to set daily time limits for Shorts videos, potentially restricting access to as little as zero minutes per day.
This is a first-of-its-kind feature in the industry, according to Jennifer Flannery O’Connor, Vice President of Product Management at YouTube. “This feature allows parents to strictly manage how much short-form video content their children can watch,” she stated.
Szintén új, hogy a 13–17 éves felhasználók számára a YouTube-on alapértelmezetten engedélyezve vannak a szünetre és a lefekvésre vonatkozó emlékeztetők.
In addition to time limits, YouTube will also enable reminders for breaks and bedtime for users aged 13 to 17 by default. The move comes as research indicates potential issues with smartphone usage in younger demographics, highlighting the increasing scrutiny of social media’s impact on youth mental health.
The platform is also adjusting its video recommendation algorithm to prioritize content more appropriate for teenage viewers. These changes aim to create a more age-relevant viewing experience for adolescent users.
A new registration process for child accounts will be rolled out in the coming weeks. These accounts will be linked to a parent or guardian and will not require a separate email address or password. YouTube says users will be able to switch between accounts seamlessly within the platform’s mobile app with just a few taps.
