YouTube is rolling out a new feature that allows parents to link their accounts with their teens, letting them stay connected and informed about their child's YouTube activities.
In a recent blog update, the video-sharing platform announced, "We recognize the important part we play in their lives, and today, we're introducing a new supervised experience on YouTube that will give parents and teens the option to link their accounts and get shared insights and notifications."
The initiative was created "to keep parents informed about their teens' channel activity on YouTube and to help them provide encouragement and advice on responsible content creation."
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YouTube's New Feature for Parents and Teens
YouTube aims to improve the safety and security of young users by expanding its parental control features.
With the new update, parents will have visibility into the content their teens are interacting with daily. They can also track search histories and see what types of content or channels their teens are exploring. So, If a teen searches for mature content, parents will be notified and can discuss why such content might not be suitable.
How does the new feature work?
Parents will receive notifications or emails summarizing their teen's YouTube activity. This new feature, integrated into YouTube's Family Centre hub, provides insights into various aspects of their teen's channel, including the number of uploads, subscriptions, and comments. This detailed overview helps parents stay engaged with their teen's online presence.
Additionally, both parents and teens will get proactive email notifications for key events, such as when a video is uploaded or a livestream begins. These alerts offer timely opportunities for parents to provide guidance on responsible content creation. YouTube has collaborated with Common Sense Networks, an affiliate of Common Sense Media, to offer resources that support this advisory role.
YouTube assures that linking accounts won’t change how its recommendation algorithms work or the content shown to teens. The algorithms will still tailor suggestions based on each user’s unique behavior and preferences.
The new feature builds on YouTube’s existing parental controls aimed at protecting children, which first launched in 2021. By extending these tools to cover teen users, YouTube aims to strike a balance between giving parents oversight and respecting teen independence.
Click here for Smart Parenting's guide to safe internet use for children.
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