YouTube has three ways to restrict what a child can watch: Restricted Mode, YouTube Kids, and Family Link

Restricted Mode filters out mature content on the regular YouTube app and website — it blocks videos marked as age-restricted and hides comments. YouTube Kids is a separate app that shows only content YouTube's system has approved for children, with no search function and a built-in timer. Family Link is Google's account management tool that lets you set screen time limits, control what apps a child can download, and monitor their activity across Google services including YouTube.

Which one you choose depends on your child's age and how much control you want. Restricted Mode works on an existing YouTube account and takes two minutes to turn on. YouTube Kids works best for children under 8 and removes the search bar entirely. Family Link requires you to create a supervised Google account for your child and gives you the most oversight, but it's designed for children 13 and under.

All three can be bypassed if a child knows your password or has access to another device, so they work best as part of a broader conversation about screen time rather than as a lock.

Key Takeaways

  • Restricted Mode filters mature content on YouTube and takes 60 seconds to enable on any device where you watch YouTube.
  • YouTube Kids is a separate app with no search bar, pre-approved videos only, and a built-in timer — best for children under 8.
  • Family Link creates a supervised account for your child and lets you set daily screen time limits, see what they watch, and control app downloads.
  • None of these methods are childproof if your child has your password or access to another device.

How to turn on Restricted Mode

Restricted Mode filters out videos marked as age-restricted and hides comments on YouTube. It works on the YouTube website, the YouTube app on phones and tablets, and YouTube on smart TVs. To turn it on, sign in to the account your child uses, scroll to the bottom of any YouTube page or open the menu in the app, and look for "Restricted Mode." Toggle it on. The setting stays on that device and that account — if your child opens YouTube on a different device or in a private browser window, Restricted Mode will not be active.

Restricted Mode is not a password-protected lock. A child who knows how to access YouTube settings can turn it off. It also does not prevent access to the YouTube app itself — it only filters what appears in search results and recommendations. If your child finds a direct link to a video, they can still watch it.

How to set up YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids is a separate app available on iOS, Android, Chromebooks, and some smart TVs. Download it from the App Store or Google Play, open it, and create an account or sign in with an existing Google account. You will be asked to set a PIN — this PIN is what you enter to access settings, approve new channels, or turn off the timer.

YouTube Kids shows only videos, channels, and playlists that YouTube's system has flagged as child-appropriate. There is no search bar, so children cannot type in queries — they can only browse collections YouTube has organized. You can manually approve or block specific channels and creators from the parent settings. The app includes a built-in timer that you set; when time runs out, the app locks until you enter the PIN again.

YouTube Kids works best for children ages 4 to 8. For older children, Restricted Mode or Family Link usually makes more sense because they allow more independence while still filtering content.

How to use Family Link to control YouTube

Family Link is Google's parental control system. To use it, you need a Google account and your child needs a supervised Google account — you cannot add Family Link to an existing regular account. Go to families.google.com, sign in with your account, and follow the steps to create a supervised account for your child. Your child will use this account to sign into YouTube, Gmail, Google Play, and other Google services.

Once the account is set up, open the Family Link app on your phone (available on iOS and Android). You will see your child's account listed. Tap it, then go to "Controls on Google Play" or "App activity" to see what they have watched. You can set a daily screen time limit — when the limit is reached, the device locks until the next day. You can also set "Downtime," which blocks access to the device during specific hours, like bedtime.

Family Link does not filter YouTube content the way Restricted Mode does. Instead, it gives you visibility into what your child is watching and lets you set when they can use YouTube at all. If you want both content filtering and time limits, turn on Restricted Mode on your child's account and use Family Link for screen time management.

Setting up parental controls on different devices

On a phone or tablet, download the YouTube app, sign in to your child's account, and go to Settings (the three horizontal lines in the bottom right on Android, or your profile picture on iOS). Scroll down to find "Restricted Mode" and toggle it on. On a smart TV, open YouTube, sign in, go to Settings, and look for Restricted Mode in the same place. The steps are the same across devices, but the setting does not sync — you have to turn it on separately for each device your child uses.

If you are using Family Link, the screen time limits and app controls apply across all devices where your child is signed into their supervised Google account. You do not have to set them up separately. However, Restricted Mode still needs to be turned on individually for each device.

On a Chromebook, you can also use Chromebook parental controls through Family Link, which will lock down the entire device, not just YouTube. This is useful if you want to restrict what apps your child can install or what websites they can visit.

What these controls do and do not block

Restricted Mode filters videos marked as age-restricted and hides comments, but it is not perfect. Some mature content may still appear, and some appropriate content may be filtered out by mistake. YouTube relies on creators to mark their own videos as age-restricted, so some videos that should be marked are not.

YouTube Kids is more restrictive but still not foolproof. YouTube's system reviews videos, but it can miss inappropriate content, especially in comments or in videos uploaded by smaller creators. You can manually block channels and creators you do not want your child to see.

Family Link does not filter content at all — it only controls when your child can use YouTube. If you want content filtering, you still need to turn on Restricted Mode. Family Link also cannot prevent your child from accessing YouTube on a device where they are not signed into their supervised account, such as a friend's phone or a school computer.

What to do if your child bypasses these controls

If your child turns off Restricted Mode, they will need access to the YouTube settings menu. On a phone or tablet, you can prevent this by using your device's built-in parental controls — on iOS, use Screen Time; on Android, use Family Link or your phone's built-in parental controls. These tools let you lock down the Settings app itself so your child cannot change YouTube settings without your permission.

If your child knows your password, they can sign out of their account and into yours, or create a new account without restrictions. The strongest approach is to use a password manager that your child does not have access to, and to have a conversation about why these controls are in place. Controls work best when children understand the reasoning behind them.

If you are using Family Link and your child is old enough to have their own device, they can still access YouTube on another device where they are not signed into their supervised account. Family Link only works on devices where your child is signed in with their supervised Google account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child turn off Restricted Mode?

Yes, if they have access to YouTube settings. On a phone or tablet, you can lock down the Settings app using your device's built-in parental controls so they cannot change YouTube settings without your permission. On a computer or smart TV, Restricted Mode can be turned off by anyone with access to the device.

Does Restricted Mode block all inappropriate content?

No. Restricted Mode filters videos marked as age-restricted and hides comments, but some mature content may still appear, and some appropriate videos may be filtered by mistake. It is a filter, not a complete block. YouTube Kids is more restrictive but still not perfect.

Can I use Restricted Mode and Family Link together?

Yes. Turn on Restricted Mode for content filtering, and use Family Link to set screen time limits and see what your child watches. They work together — Restricted Mode filters what appears, and Family Link controls when your child can access YouTube.

What is the difference between YouTube Kids and Restricted Mode?

YouTube Kids is a separate app with no search bar, pre-approved videos only, and a built-in timer. Restricted Mode is a filter on the regular YouTube app that hides mature content and comments. YouTube Kids is more restrictive and better for younger children; Restricted Mode gives older children more freedom while still filtering content.

Does Family Link work if my child uses YouTube on a different device?

Family Link only works on devices where your child is signed into their supervised Google account. If they use YouTube on a friend's phone, a school computer, or any device where they are not signed in with their supervised account, Family Link will not apply.