YouTube Strengthens Parental Controls for Teenagers
The video platform YouTube is rolling out new features designed to allow parents and guardians to supervise more effectively how teenagers consume content. These tools focus on enabling limiting the time spent on formats like short videos, addressing concerns about excessive use. 🛡️
Manage Viewing Time
The main feature gives supervisors the ability to set specific limits for consuming Shorts and other formats. Adults can adjust these parameters from zero minutes per day, meaning they have the option to completely disable access to this type of video on the accounts they manage. The goal is to make it easier to regulate minors' exposure.
Key features of the new tools:- Allow setting a maximum daily time for watching short videos, with the option to set it to zero.
- Provide guardians with a centralized control panel to configure these limits remotely.
- Offer notifications and summaries about the teenager's viewing activity.
Perhaps the real challenge is not limiting screen time, but getting parents to find the time to set up these controls amid their own video marathon.
Adjust the Algorithm and Registration
At the same time, YouTube is committed to optimizing its recommendation system so that teenage users find content more appropriate for their age group. Additionally, the platform will review and update the process for creating and managing accounts intended for children. These changes aim to build a digital environment better suited to their development.
Additional measures announced:- Refine the algorithm to prioritize educational, creative, and age-appropriate videos in teenagers' feeds.
- Simplify and make more robust the verification process for creating supervised accounts.
- Increase transparency about how content is selected and suggested to younger users.
The Context of Digital Protection
These updates are framed within growing pressure on major digital platforms to protect their most vulnerable users. By offering more supervision options, YouTube seeks to address concerns about compulsive consumption and potential exposure to inappropriate material. The