YouTube said today it was expanding its parental controls in Ireland as it introduces new quality principles for content recommended for teenagers.
The streaming service today announced new features for parents to set the amount of time their teens can scroll Shorts on YouTube, while parents will also be able to set up a kids or teen account on the YouTube mobile app.
New research from YouTube also revealed today that 77% of parents using its supervised accounts in the European Union agree the content their child views is age-appropriate, while 73% said the tools gave them confidence in a safer digital environment for their child.
Parents can now help their teenagers be even more intentional about how they watch, with a control to set the amount of time spent scrolling Shorts. They will also have the option to set the timer to zero soon.
YouTube said this was an industry-first that gives parents flexibility to, for example, set the Shorts feed limit to zero when they want their teen to use YouTube to focus on homework, and change it to 60 minutes during a long car trip.
Parents will also be able to set custom bedtime and take a break reminders.
The new controls will also make it easier to get the right experience for the right age. It has a new sign-up process which will make it easier for parents to create a new kid account and switch between family accounts in the mobile app, depending on who is watching.
This makes it easier to ensure that everyone in the family is in the right viewing experience with the content settings and recommendations of age-appropriate content they actually want to watch, the company said.
YouTube is also introducing new principles to steer teens toward age-appropriate and enriching content.
Dr Garth Graham, Global Head of YouTube Health, said the company believes in protecting kids in the digital world, not from the digital world.
"That's why providing effective, built-in tools is so essential, as parents play a critical role in setting the rules for their family's online experiences," he said.
"After feedback from parents and guidance from independent experts, we're equipping families with even more tools and protections that are right for them. This builds on a decade of investments to create a healthy experience for young people on YouTube," he added.
Rebecca Smith, Global Head of Child Protection at Save the Children International, said the organisation was pleased to partner with YouTube on the launch of their new Creator Guide, which equips content creators with the knowledge and tools to stay informed, educated and safe online.
"With the help of this guide, not only can creators make the most out of their own digital experience, but they can support fellow creators as well. This initiative reflects YouTube and Save the Children’s shared commitment to fostering a safer digital environment for all," she added.
