YouTube Adds Parental Code Feature on TV to Keep Kids Safe

YouTube has experienced a remarkable year in user engagement, with over a billion hours of content streamed daily on television alone. However, this vast platform also hosts a considerable amount of content that may not be suitable for children. To address this concern, a dedicated “kids” mode has long been available.

Now, YouTube is implementing a password feature designed to restrict young users to their specific “kids” profiles when using a TV. In an update for its community, the company unveiled the new Parent Code functionality, which will prevent children from accessing adult profiles within the same household.

This feature requires users to opt in and must be activated manually. Once the Parent Code is set up, kids will need to enter this code to access profiles designated for other family members. They will also be prompted to enter the code if they try to use the platform without signing into a Google account.

Additionally, if someone tries to remove an account from the shared television, the parent code will be necessary. YouTube has clarified that activating this feature will not impact any other devices using the same account.

To enable the Parent Code feature, follow these simple steps:

1. Open the YouTube app on your TV and navigate to the Settings page.
2. Locate the Parent Code option in the Settings dashboard.
3. Follow the prompts to establish a four-digit Parent Code.
4. To disable this safety feature in the future, you will need to enter the same code.

Keep in mind that removing the parent code will allow unrestricted access to YouTube, meaning anyone can view content regardless of age restrictions and without the need for a Google account. Furthermore, all user profiles belonging to adults will then be accessible.

This latest update focused on safety is a response to previous concerns. Earlier this year, Google removed the separate YouTube Kids app icon from the YouTube experience on TVs and smart devices.

Now, adult and kids profiles are consolidated under the ‘Who’s watching’ feature. “Now, you can easily select your child’s profile from within the app, leading you to the new YouTube Kids experience on TV,” the company explained at that time.

However, this change did not sit well with all parents and guardians, as it allowed easier access for children to adult profiles containing unfiltered content. By securing adult profiles behind a passcode, YouTube is taking a much-needed step toward improving safety.

The rollout of the Parent Code feature is underway and will soon be available to all users.