YouTube Kids Safety 101

Help get your child set up safely with a new platform or app, with this quick reference guide.

What is it?

YouTube Kids is a version of YouTube designed specifically for younger children. It offers a simpler, more controlled environment where children can watch videos selected and filtered for a younger audience.

Tamariki can:

Watch videos on topics like cartoons, learning, music, and hobbies
Explore content through categories (e.g. Shows, Learning, Explore)
Search for videos (if enabled by parents)
Watch videos that automatically play one after another

YouTube Kids is more extensively curated and contains content that is filtered for children. It is simplified and easier to navigate than the main YouTube app and can be parent-controlled, including settings for content, search, and screen time.

For example, parents can:

Choose an age setting (e.g. younger or older children)
Turn search on or off
Approve specific videos or channels only
Set screen time limits

For parents and caregivers the key thing to understand is that YouTube Kids is designed to be safer than the main YouTube platform, but it still relies on algorithms and filters, and children may occasionally come across content that isn’t suitable.

Why it's popular

For younger children, YouTube Kids feels fun, simple, and predictable making it easy to use independently.

Bright, engaging videos and familiar characters
A wide range of content (cartoons, songs, learning, play)
Videos start quickly and can keep playing automatically
Favourite shows and creators are easy to find again

What to watch out for

Content that is still not always age-appropriate

YouTube Kids filters content, but it isn’t perfect. Some videos may still include themes, language, or behaviour that aren’t suitable for your child’s age, especially as recommendations build over time.

Watch a range of videos together so you can see what’s coming up and encourage your child to tell you if something feels confusing or uncomfortable. Reassure them they won’t get in trouble for speaking up.

Repetitive or low-quality content

Children can be drawn into watching the same types of videos repeatedly, including highly stimulating or low-quality content. This can affect attention, mood, and how they engage with other activities.

Guide them toward a mix of content, including educational or creative videos and use parental controls like 'Approved content only' to shape a more intentional viewing experience.

Auto-play and long viewing sessions

Videos can play continuously, making it easy for children to keep watching without stopping. This can lead to longer screen time than intended.

Turn off auto-play where possible and agree on clear stopping points. Using built-in timers can also help create natural breaks.

Strong influence from creators

Even on YouTube Kids, children may form strong attachments to certain creators or characters. They may copy behaviours, language, or attitudes they see in videos.

Talk about what they’re watching and help them understand the difference between entertainment and real life. Ask simple questions like “What do you like about this video?” and normalise talking about the content they consume.

Search can widen content quickly

If search is turned on, children can move beyond curated content and access a much wider range of videos. This increases the chance of encountering something less appropriate.

Consider turning search off for younger children or supervising searches together. to keep their experience more predictable and age-appropriate.

5 minute safety settings

Before you start:

To use YouTube Kids safety settings, you’ll need:

A Google account (for the parent)
A child profile (set up when you first open the app, or through Google Family Link)

When you open YouTube Kids, you’ll be asked to create or select your child’s profile. All safety settings are accessed through the lock icon (usually in the bottom corner of the screen), which is protected by a passcode.

Note: Settings and menu options may look slightly different depending on your child’s device and account, but these controls are the most important to check.

Open YouTube Kids
Select your child’s profile
Tap the Settings icon (the cog) and answer the Parent Only question
Select your child's profile again
Enter your Google password
Go to 'Content Settings' and select 'Edit Settings'

Choose a content level:

Younger (more limited, simpler content)
Older (broader range, but still filtered)

This is the most important setting for shaping your child’s experience and controls the types of videos that they can access.

Open YouTube Kids
Select your child’s profile
Tap the Settings icon (the cog) and answer the Parent Only question
Select your child's profile again
Enter your Google password
Under Content Settings click 'Edit Settings'
Select 'Approve content yourself'
Choose videos or channels manually

This setting allows your child to only watch videos or channels you approve. This removes algorithm-driven recommendations and gives full control over what your child can watch.

Open YouTube Kids
Select your child’s profile
Tap the Settings icon (the cog) and answer the Parent Only question
Select your child's profile again
Enter your Google password
Toggle Search 'OFF'

Search allows children to access a wider range of content beyond curated recommendations, and turning it off keeps viewing within a more controlled set of videos.

Open YouTube Kids
Select your child’s profile
Tap the Settings icon (the cog) and answer the Parent Only question
Select your child's profile again
Enter your Google password
Turn ON 'Pause search history' and 'Pause watch history'

This reduces how strongly searches and video views shape recommendations for further viewing, however is does not remove recommendations completely.

Start a video
Look for the Auto-play toggle
Turn it OFF (if shown)

Auto-play can keen videos playing continuously, and turning it off helps prevent long, unplanned viewing sessions.

What else can help?

Support your child to navigate YoutTube Kids safely...

Spending time watching YouTube Kids with your child helps you understand what they enjoy and what they’re being shown. It also gives you a chance to guide their viewing in the moment and talk about what they’re seeing.
For younger children, you can choose to only allow videos or channels you approve. This gives you full control over what they can watch and removes algorithm-driven recommendations.
Ask your child about their favourite videos, characters, or channels. This helps build their ability to reflect on content and gives you insight into what they enjoy. Questions like, “What do you like about this?” can open up useful conversations.
Let your child know it’s okay to stop watching something if they lose interest or it doesn’t feel right. This helps build confidence in making choices about what they watch.
YouTube Kids works best when it’s part of a routine rather than open-ended use. Setting clear times for watching helps children know what to expect and reduces conflict.
Your child’s interests and viewing habits will change over time. Regular, relaxed conversations help you stay connected and support them as they grow. Stay curious with questions like, “What are you enjoying watching at the moment?”